Transferring data between devices has become a thing of the past with the advent of high-speed wireless networks. While we once had to hunt for flash drives or run cables, today a stable connection is enough to transfer gigabytes of photos, videos, or documents. Local area network allows for high-speed data exchange, often exceeding the capabilities of Bluetooth or USB 2.0.
There are many scenarios where you need to move data: moving to a new laptop, collaborating on a project, or simply wanting to free up disk space. Depending on your operating system and your level of technical expertise, you can choose the method that's most convenient for your situation. Modern protocols make this process virtually seamless.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at built-in operating system tools, time-tested third-party programs, and cloud solutions. You'll learn how to set up sharing, use the command line for instant transfers, and understand why a Wi-Fi router can be a powerful tool for working with data. The key is choosing the right tool for the job.
Setting up Windows sharing over a local network
The most classic and reliable way to transfer data between Windows computers is to use the built-in sharing feature. This method doesn't require installing additional software, making it ideal for corporate environments or situations where third-party executables can't be run on the second PC. To get started, both devices must be in the same network. Wi-Fi networks.
The first step is to ensure that the computers can see each other. To do this, the network profile must be set to "Private" rather than "Public" in the network settings. After this, device discovery is enabled. In older versions of Windows, this was done through the "Network and Sharing Center," but in Windows 10 and 11 The logic remains the same, although the interface may have changed.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling sharing in public places (cafes, airports) can leave you vulnerable to attacks. Make sure to use this method only on trusted home or office networks.
Next, select the folder you want to share. Right-click it, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Click "Sharing" and add the "Everyone" username, granting them read and edit permissions. Once the settings are applied, the folder will be accessible over the network.
To access a shared folder from another computer, open File Explorer and enter the IP address or network name of the first computer in the address bar. You can find the address by running the command ipconfig in the command prompt on the first PC. If the system prompts for credentials, enter the login and password for the user account on the source computer.
- 📁 Open "Settings" → "Network & Internet" → "Wi-Fi" → "Properties" and select the "Private" profile.
- 🔍 In Windows Search, type "Manage advanced sharing settings" and turn on network discovery.
- 🔐 Create identical accounts with the same passwords on both computers for automatic login.
Sometimes Windows may block the connection due to firewall settings. If you see an access error, check whether the File and Printer Sharing app is allowed through the firewall. Also, keep in mind that copy speed will depend on your router's bandwidth and Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
Operating system interfaces are regularly updated by developers. The location of menu items may vary slightly depending on the Windows build version. If you don't find the item you're looking for, try searching through your system settings.
Using Nearby Sharing
For users who need to quickly transfer a couple of photos or a document without the hassle of setting up folders, Windows 10 and 11 offer a built-in feature called "Nearby Sharing." This mechanism uses a combination of Bluetooth for device discovery and Wi-Fi Direct for fast data transfer. It's a modern equivalent of AirDrop, available on PCs.
To use this feature, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both computers. In System Settings, go to "System" → "Nearby Sharing" (or "Sharing Features" in older versions). Here, you'll need to toggle the switch and choose who can see your computer: everyone around you or just your devices.
The transfer process is as simple as possible. Simply select a file in any app, click the "Share" button, and select the target computer from the list of available devices. A pop-up notification will appear on the second computer asking if you want to accept the file. Once confirmed, the transfer will begin automatically.
⚠️ Please note: The Nearby Sharing feature may not work correctly if one of the devices has older Wi-Fi or Bluetooth drivers that do not support energy saving standards or modern transmission protocols.
The advantage of this method is that there's no need to enter IP addresses or configure access rights. However, the speed may be slower than with a direct cable connection or via a configured SMB folder, especially if the files are very large. Both devices must also be within line of sight or close proximity to each other.
If you don't see a nearby computer in the list, check whether Airplane Mode is enabled on one of them. Also, make sure device discovery is enabled in your privacy settings. In some corporate networks, administrators may block this feature using group policies.
Data transfer via cloud storage
Cloud services have become the de facto standard for synchronizing data between devices. OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox And Yandex.Disk Allows you to download files from one computer and instantly access them on another. This method is ideal when the computers are physically located in different locations.
The principle is simple: you install the cloud service client on both computers and log in with the same account. Files placed in a special sync folder on the first computer are automatically uploaded to the internet and downloaded to the second computer. The speed of the process depends directly on your internet service provider.
| Service | Free seat | Peculiarities | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OneDrive | 5 GB | Deep integration into Windows | Office documents |
| Google Drive | 15 GB | Working with Google Docs | Photos and collaborations |
| Yandex.Disk | 10 GB | Unlimited photos from your phone | Users in the Russian Federation |
| Mega | 20 GB | End-to-end encryption | Confidential data |
The main advantage of cloud computing is automation and accessibility. You don't need to worry about whether the second computer is running. Simply upload a file, and it will appear wherever the client is installed. Furthermore, cloud computing stores file version history, allowing you to roll back to a previous document revision in the event of an error.
However, this method has its drawbacks. First, it requires a stable internet connection. Second, free plans often have limited storage, and you have to pay to expand the space. For transferring terabytes of data, this method can be too slow and expensive compared to a local network.
How to speed up cloud synchronization?
If you urgently need to transfer a large amount of data and your internet connection is slow, try using the "smart sync" feature (files on demand). It creates shortcuts on the second PC, and the actual download only occurs when the file is opened.
Third-party utilities for fast transfer (Shareit, Send Anywhere)
When built-in Windows tools seem too complicated or unstable, specialized programs come to the rescue. Applications like Send Anywhere, Feem or Resilio Sync create a direct connection between devices, minimizing the involvement of the operating system in the routing process.
Most of these programs work on a P2P (peer-to-peer) basis. You launch the app on both computers, scan a QR code or enter a six-digit key, and the devices connect directly via a Wi-Fi router or even create their own access point. This allows for high speeds, close to the theoretical maximum of your adapter.
One of the most popular utilities is Send AnywhereIt doesn't require account registration. You select files, the program generates a code, you enter this code on the second device, and the transfer begins. The interface is minimalist and intuitive, even for inexperienced users.