3 Ways to Share/Transfer Files Between Two PCs in Windows 11/10

Try smart Windows 11 data transfer tool to move all data in 1 click.

EaseUS Todo PCTrans

  Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7

Page Contents
 

Page Table of Contents

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Part 1. Transfer Files between Computers 

Method 1. Use EaseUS PCTrans...Full steps

Method 2. Use the Internet...Full steps

Method 3. Use external storage device...Full steps

Part 2. Share Files between Computers with Windows Nearby Sharing Step 1. Settings > System > Shared experiences > Nearby Sharing > turn On > set drop-down as Everyone nearby...Full steps

How to share/transfer files between two PCs in Windows 11/10?

Since more and more users are using Windows 11/10 and quite a lot users are changing their computers from old desktops into new laptops. And data transferring becomes a big problem for them. 

How to share or transfer files between two PCs in Windows 11/10 becomes a question. If you are trying to transfer files between two PCs, or need to migrate apps from old PC to new one, follow below-offered two parts for transferring/sharing files between computers and PCs with ease now. 

In part one, we recommend three methods targeting transfer files between computers, which aim to solve file size and network connecting problems. 

  • Large files transfer (scattered file location) - Method 1
  • Small files transfer on the same network. - Method 2
  • Transfer files without the network connections. - Method 3

In part two, we also introduce Nearby Sharing for sharing files between computers. If you are going to share data with your friends or family member, please read the latter part to get more detail. 

Part 1. Transfer Files between Computers 

Method 1. Use free file transfer software to transfer files/apps/programs between two PC

What is the fastest way to transfer files between computers? If you need an efficient method to save you time and energy for transferring files, applications or other software with your friends, colleagues, or classmates, your best choices is to use professional file transfer software. 

  Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7

Why is that? Here below are some advances that professional file transfer software can bring you:

  • Saving time and energy copying and pasting files into new PC.
  • Transfer more wanted files to new PC: programs, software, applications or even games.
  • No data loss trouble and no false operation would occur.
  • Support to transfer files without the network. (If you need to move some confidential files, you might need this feature.)

So how to find such a free file transfer software? Here we'd like to recommend you try EaseUS PCTrans Free which supports you to transfer whatever you want such as personal files, essential software, programs, games or apps into another drive in one PC or other PCs with simple clicks. 

And you may follow below tutorial to directly transfer and transfer files between two PCs now:

Notice:
If you want to transfer a significant number of data without limitation, please activate it to a pro edition and follow guidelines here to start the transferring with ease.

Step 1. Install and open EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both your PC and laptop. Select "PC to PC" to transfer files, applications, and user account from PC to your laptop directly.

transfer files from PC to laptop - step 1

Step 2. Choose the transfer direction (New PC or Old PC).

choose right transfer direction

Connect the PC to the laptop by entering either the laptop's account password or its verification code. You can go to the "PC to PC" mainscreen and turn on the button behind "Connection Verification". 

transfer files from PC to laptop - step 2

Step 3. Now, choose "Files" to select files to transfer. By default, PCTrans will transfer and save data to the same location on the target computer. But you can click the "Edit" icon to customize the storage path as you need.  

transfer files from PC to laptop - step 1

Step 4. Now, click "Transfer" to start to transfer files from PC to laptop at a fast speed.

transfer files from PC to laptop - step 5

  Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7

Method 2. Use the Internet to transfer files between computers

Another useful method for transferring data between PCs is to use the Internet. You can directly connect your PCs to LAN/WiFi and then transfer important files to new PC.
Here below we have collect several file transferring way for you:

  • Transfer files via local network drive/NAS
  • Transfer files through Cloud services
  • Transfer files through Email
  • Transfer files by apps such as Skype/WeChat/Instagram, etc

And you may follow below guidelines to transfer files through the internet now:

1. Connect both PCs with the same network.

2. Log in your Cloud/Email/Apps which you choose to transfer files or open Local Network Drive with your account.

  • Cloud/Email/APPs

Cloud/Email/APPs transfer is a useful approach you can take to transferring files from PC to PC. It supports Google Drive or Cloud devices for transferring files over the network. 

If you want to access files on another computer, you can also choose Windows apps like Facebook or other standard applications.

cloud transfer

  • Local Network Drive (Only for transferring folders)

Transfer file locally is the most common method under the Internet.

Local PC: Right-click on the file > select Properties > Sharing tab > Share > File Sharing window

Another PC: File Explorer > Network > Network discovery > Turn on network discovery and file sharing

share files locally

3. Select files you need to transfer and send it to a new PC or copy to the local network drive. Receive and save transferred files to a new PC.

Tip
The only thing that may affect the transferring speed and process is the network speed.

Method 3. Use external storage device to transfer files between two PCs

If you don't have a network connection on your PCs, you may try this way which is to copy and paste files into an external storage devices such as USB drive, SD/memory card/external hard drive etc and then move those files into new PC.

1. Transfer files via Backup and Restore

You can create images of files and automatically export them from the source PC to the target PC. Download EaseUS Todo PCTrans on each PC, and you can start transfer data.

backup and restore

2. External hard drive 

Using an external storage device can transfer files between two computers without the limitation of the computer’s location. 

1. Connect external storage device with source PC from which you want to transfer files;

2. Select files that you want to transfer to copy into the device;

3. After finishing the copying process, disconnect storage device from PC and connect it with the new PC;

4. Then move files into new PC.

external hard drive

3. transfer files between computers via transfer cable

If your two PCs are in the same location, we recommend you choose the transfer cable. When using the external hard drive, you need to transfer files between three devices. However, the cable like Belkin Easy Transfer (F5U279) can simplify the transfer process. 

usb cable

Notice:
1. Please note that if you need to transfer installed software, apps, programs etc into new PCs, you’ll need EaseUS PCTrans or similar software for help.
2. Please be careful while you are trying Method 2 or Method 3 to share/transfer files between two PCs.

Part 2. File Sharing between Computers with Windows Nearby Sharing

The above method is to help you quickly transfer files. If you want to achieve file-sharing that different computers can access to read and edit, Microsoft also introduces an easy way for network file sharing - Nearby Sharing.

nearby sharing

Steps for local network file sharing

Step 1. Settings > System > Shared experiences > Nearby Sharing > turn On > set drop-down as Everyone nearby
Step 2. File explorer > choose files > Share > choose another PC nearby

About the Author

Updated by Tracy King

Tracy joined in EaseUS in 2013 and has been working with EaseUS content team for over 10 years. Being enthusiastic in computing and technology, she writes tech how-to articles and share technical solutions to resolve Windows & Mac data recovery, data backup, partition management, data transfer, Windows update issues, etc.

Read full bio

Reviews and Awards

Product Reviews

TrustScore 4.7 | 34 reviews
  • EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free is a useful and and reliable software solution created to serve in computer migration operations, be it from one machine to another or from an earlier version of your OS to a newer one.

    Read More
  • EaseUS Todo PCTrans is by the folks at EaseUS who make incredible tools that let you manage your backups and recover your dead hard disks. While it is not an official tool, EaseUS has a reputation for being very good with their software and code.

    Read More
  • It offers the ability to move your entire user account from your old computer, meaning everything is quickly migrated. You still get to keep your Windows installation (and the relevant drivers for your new PC), but you also get all your apps, settings, preferences, images, documents and other important data.

    Read More

3 Ways to Share/Transfer Files Between Two PCs in Windows 11/10

Try smart Windows 11 data transfer tool to move all data in 1 click.

EaseUS Todo PCTrans

  Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7