How to transfer files between computers via WiFi in Windows 10

In the era of cloud storage and messaging apps, the classic question of local data transfer remains relevant. Situations often arise when you urgently need to transfer gigabytes of video archives, a project folder, or a system backup to another PC connected to the same wireless network. Using external hard drives or flash drives takes time, and cloud speeds depend on your provider's plan, while local WiFi network allows for much higher transfer speeds to be achieved without physical media.

operating system Windows 10 Microsoft offers several built-in mechanisms for organizing such exchanges, but with the release of major updates, Microsoft has changed some of the network protocol principles. Now, users have access to both classic methods using shared folders and more modern solutions, such as the Nearby Sharing feature. Understanding these tools will allow you to forget about wires and effectively manage data within your home or office.

In this article, we'll take a detailed look at how to transfer files between computers via WiFi in Windows 10, focusing on connection security and stability. We'll cover firewall settings, network profile types, and nuances that even experienced users often overlook when trying to establish a connection between devices.

Preparing the network infrastructure and verifying the profile

Before attempting to transfer any documents, ensure both computers have the same visibility. Windows 10 treats new WiFi connections as "Public" by default, hiding your PC from other devices for security reasons. You need to change this status to "Private" on both computers to allow discovery.

To do this, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status and click on your WiFi connection properties. In the window that opens, select the "Private" profile. Only then will the operating system allow network discovery and access to shared resources.

⚠️ Important: By changing your network profile to "Private," you trust the current WiFi network. Avoid doing this when connecting to open hotspots in cafes or airports where other users are present.

Next, check if discovery is enabled. Open Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center, and go to Change advanced sharing settings. Here, for the current profile (Private), both "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" should be enabled.

• 📡 Make sure both computers are connected to the same WiFi network (same SSID).
• 🔒 Disable third-party antivirus software during setup if it blocks local connections.
• 🆔 Remember or write down the IP address of the receiving computer for direct connection.

It's important to note that transfer stability directly depends on the router's signal quality. If one of the computers is in a weak signal area, the copying speed may drop to a minimum, and the process may be interrupted. Ideally, both devices should be within line of sight of the router or using the 5 GHz standard for maximum throughput.

Setting up a shared folder for data exchange

The most reliable and time-tested method is to create a shared folder. This allows any device on the network with access rights to access the specified directory and copy files. To get started, create a new folder in any convenient location, such as on a disk. D:, and name it, for example, "Exchange".

Right-click the folder and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder" and then click "Permissions." Here, you need to add the user "Everyone" (or a specific user, if you want to increase security) and grant them full permissions: read, modify, and full control.

After setting permissions, go to the "Security" tab. Here, you also need to ensure that the "Everyone" group has write and modify permissions. Users often forget this step, and the system blocks file writes despite clear network permissions.

Now, to transfer files, you need to know the name or IP address of the computer where the folder is located. On the receiving computer, open File Explorer and enter [in the address bar] \\ComputerName or \\192.168.1.XX (where XX is your PC's address). If everything is configured correctly, you'll see the shared folder and be able to work with it as if it were a local folder.

Using Nearby Sharing

In Windows 10, Microsoft introduced a feature similar to AirDrop on Apple devices called Nearby Share. This method is ideal for quickly transferring individual files or links without the need to create shared folders and specify complex paths.

To activate, go to Settings → System → General FeaturesTurn on the "Nearby Sharing" toggle and choose who can see your computer: "Everyone around me" or "Just my devices" (requires signing in to the same Microsoft account). Also, make sure Bluetooth and WiFi are enabled on both PCs, as this feature uses them for discovery and sharing.

The transfer process is extremely simple: select a file in File Explorer, click the "Share" button on the top bar, or right-click and select the appropriate option. The system will begin searching for nearby devices. When the name of the target computer appears, click it. A notification will pop up on the receiving end, asking if you want to save the file.

Why might Nearby Share not work?

This feature requires Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support and certain WiFi drivers. If one of the computers has an older adapter or discovery services are disabled, the feature will be unavailable. It may also not work on guest WiFi networks where clients are isolated.

The main advantage of this method is the elimination of the need to enter passwords or manually configure access rights for one-time operations. However, for transferring hundreds of small files or huge archives, a classic shared folder will remain a more productive solution.

Transferring files via the command line and PowerShell

For advanced users who prefer control over the process, there are command line tools. Although the standard net use More commonly used for mapping network drives, PowerShell offers more flexible automation capabilities.

You can use the command Copy-Item To copy files over a network if the path to the resource is known. However, to do this effectively, it makes sense to first mount the network folder as a local drive. This will simplify working with paths in scripts.

net use Z: \\192.168.1.50\Exchange /user:UserNamePassword

After executing this command, a new disk will appear in the system. Z:, which is actually a folder on the remote computer. Now you can copy files using regular commands, for example: copy C:\Photos\. Z:\Backup\This is especially useful when writing backup scripts.

Using the utility robocopy Robust File Copy is preferable to standard copying when working with large amounts of data. It can resume interrupted transfers and ignore sector read errors, which is critical when the WiFi signal is unstable.

Resolving access and visibility issues

Despite its apparent simplicity, users often encounter errors like "Windows cannot access..." or "Access is denied." One of the most common causes is a disabled Function Discovery Resource Publication service. Without it running, the computer will not be visible in the network, even if all settings are correct.

To fix this, click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the specified service in the list. Set the startup type to "Automatic" and click "Start." Repeat the same for the "Discovery Service Provider Host" service.

⚠️ Note: The service interface and names may vary slightly depending on your Windows 10 build version (Home, Pro, Enterprise). If you don't find a service with the exact name, look for similar ones related to Discovery or SSDP.

Another common issue is time synchronization. If the system time on both computers is significantly different, the Kerberos security protocol may block the connection. Make sure the date and time on both devices match.

It's also worth checking your Windows Firewall settings. Go to "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" and ensure that the "File and Printer Sharing (ICMPv4 Echo Request)" rules are allowed for the private network.

Alternative methods and third-party software

If Windows' built-in tools seem too cumbersome or don't work due to the specifics of your corporate network, you can always turn to third-party software. Programs like FileZilla (to create an FTP server), SyncToy or Resilio Sync allow you to organize file transfers using your own methods, often bypassing system restrictions.

Creating an FTP server deserves special attention. This turns your computer into a file storage facility accessible not only within the network but also (if the router is configured correctly) from anywhere in the world. You can use this program for this. FileZilla Server, which can be set up in a couple of minutes.

The advantage of third-party solutions is their cross-platform nature. If you need to transfer files from Windows 10 to Android, Linux, or macOS, standard Windows tools may require additional configuration (for example, enabling SMBv1, which is insecure), whereas FTP or specialized software works out of the box on any OS.

However, for a purely Windows-to-Windows home environment, native tools remain the most integrated and do not require the installation of additional software, which reduces the risk of conflicts and viruses.

Data transfer security details

When transferring files over WiFi, you should be aware of the risks. The SMB protocol, used by Windows by default, had critical vulnerabilities in older versions (SMBv1). In Windows 10, it's disabled by default, but it's worth checking whether you're using SMBv2 or SMBv3.

To check, open PowerShell and enter the command: Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Select EnableSMB1Protocol, EnableSMB2ProtocolIf SMBv1 is enabled, disable it immediately, as it is vulnerable to attacks like WannaCry.

It's also a good practice to create a separate local user for network access with limited privileges, rather than using an administrator account. This minimizes damage in the event of a network compromise.

Do I need to disable my antivirus to transfer files?

Usually not. Modern antiviruses can distinguish local traffic. However, if transmission is blocked, try adding the second computer's IP address to your antivirus's firewall exceptions instead of disabling it completely.

Why is WiFi speed slower than LAN speed?

WiFi is a half-duplex communication channel, susceptible to interference and dividing time between sending and receiving data. Even with the AC/AX standard, the actual speed is typically 50-60% of the theoretical speed, while LAN (twisted pair) provides full duplex and stability.

Is it possible to transfer files if the computers are on different subnets?

The standard network neighborhood only works within a single subnet (broadcast domain). Communication between different subnets (for example, 192.168.1.x and 192.168.0.x) will require either routing, direct IP addressing, or a VPN tunnel.

How to speed up copying of many small files?

Small files take a long time to copy due to the overhead of opening and closing each file. The best solution is to pack them into a single archive (ZIP/RAR) before sending. This will turn thousands of operations into a single one, significantly increasing overall speed.

Does this work via WiFi guest mode?

No. Guest networks on routers typically have "AP Isolation" enabled, which physically prevents devices from seeing each other. To transfer files, both computers must be on the primary network.