2 Easy Ways to Transfer Files From PC to PC

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

The method that you use to transfer files between Windows computers (PC) will depend upon the number of files you need to transfer. Start with the first method to transfer a small number of files from PC to PC and use the Windows Easy Transfer method to move a whole system of files.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Transferring Files with a Removable Drive

PDF download Download Article
  1. Small hard drives up to 1 terabyte are available online and in most electronics departments at large box stores.
    • It is best to keep a removable hard drive for backing up files, if you don’t have a cloud storage provider.
    • Refrain from using the same backup drive as a way to occasionally transfer files from computer to computer.
    • If you use cloud backup, check to see if you can download your files onto another computer by signing into a new computer. Some programs may not have this capability, while others may require verification of computers for security purposes.
  2. This is ideal if your PCs are located far from each other.
    • Flash drives are available at office supply stores, box stores and online for $5 to $50, depending on the size.
    • In place of a USB drive, you can opt to burn the files onto a CD or DVD; however, unless you buy expensive rewritable discs, burning a disc filled with files will write the disc permanently. With removable hard drives and flash drives, you can delete and reuse the drive.
    Advertisement
  3. Double click on the removable drive when it pops up. You want it to be open in its own window.
    • Disable software that comes with the removable hard drive, if you want to use it for this purpose. Some hard drives come with software that helps you back up your computer.
  4. Navigate to the place where the files are located.
    • If your files are haphazardly organized, now is a good time to organize them into files of similar genre and file type. It is easier to transfer folders than individual files.
  5. This will allow you to click and drag the files from the computer to your drive.
  6. Alternatively, you can click on the file name and drag each item individually.
  7. A small dialog box may pop up to tell you that are files are being transferred. For large files, it will tell you how long it will take to copy files.
  9. Close it out. Go to My Computer and right click to eject the removable drive.
    • Failure to eject the drive before removing it from the computer can result in the loss of some files.
  10. Double click the drive window when the computer detects it.
  11. You will want to arrange the folders side by side, just as you did before, to drag them onto your computer and into the correct location.
    • If you choose to drag them onto your desktop, you can reorganize them into other folders later. [1]
    12. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Transferring Files Via Network

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you are using a wireless network, it must have very high speeds to make this an affective process.
    • This option is best if you want to transfer files regularly between PCs, but not necessarily at the same time.
  3. Go to My Computer. Select your C drive, or hard drive, from the list of options.
  4. ” You should also be able to select Properties from the File menu at the top.
  5. Select the “Advanced Sharing” button.
  6. ” The option may change according to the version of Windows you are running.
  8. Go to the Start menu and select “Network” in your list of default options.
  9. Double click on that computer. Type in your password to gain access.
    • The password is what you use to log into the other computer.
  10. Drag them onto your new PC to transfer. [2]
    • If both of your computers run Windows 10 or Windows 11 and they're on the same network, all you had to do is right click one of the files you want to share and give the other PC access to it.
    11. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Does using a local area network (LAN) to transfer files via Windows Easy Transfer mean that all the files are wiped from the old computer and re-written on the new computer?
    George Chour Chi Pang
    Community Answer
    Files transfer usually just copies the original files to the chosen destination. The originals will still be on the old computer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 114 Helpful 90
  • Question
    How can I transfer my music videos from my old laptop to my new laptop?
    Jarod Smith
    Community Answer
    You can use cloud storage, flash drives, or external hard drives. All of these options would work.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 96 Helpful 92
  • Question
    How do I transfer games with a USB flash drive?
    Community Answer
    Just move the game files onto the USB flash drive and then move them over to the new PC. Be sure to move all of the files. If you miss one, the game might not work!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 96 Helpful 91
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • For small files of 2 GB or less, you can use Dropbox or Google Drive programs to share files easily between most computers. You will need to sign up for a free Dropbox or Google Drive account. Then, you can upload PDF, Word, Excel or similar files onto the online account. Later, you can download the files by signing onto the account from your Internet browser on your other PC.
        Thanks
        Helpful 88 Not Helpful 87
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Beware that Windows Easy Transfer will not work when transferring from a 64-bit to a 32-bit version of Window OS. In that case other methods will work, as long as you do not need to transfer programs.
        Thanks
        Helpful 93 Not Helpful 98
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Removable hard drive
      • USB Flash drive
      • Easy transfer cord

      You Might Also Like

      6 Easy Ways to Use Shortcut Keys to Shut Down a Windows PC
      How to
      Check Your Mouse DPI on Windows & Mac
      5 Quick Ways to Change Your Desktop Wallpaper on Windows
      How to
      Bring an Off Screen Window Back on Windows
      6 Simple Ways to Create a .ZIP File from Files or Folders
      How to
      Copy and Paste on Any Device
      4 Easy Ways to Paste Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts
      How to
      Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time
      How to
      Change a File Extension
      3 Easy Ways to Merge Objects in Blender: Step-by-Step
      3 Easy Ways to Customize EXE Program Icons in Windows
      How to
      Copy and Paste a Link
      How To Refresh a Webpage: Desktop & Mobile
      How to
      Open XML
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-ways-to-transfer-files-from-one-computer-to-another/
      2. ↑ http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-ways-to-transfer-files-from-one-computer-to-another/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Insert a removable USB drive.
      2. Open File Explorer .
      3. Select file(s) to transfer.
      4. Press Control + C to copy.
      5. Open the USB drive folder.
      6. Right-click a blank area of the folder.
      7. Press Control + V to paste.
      8. Connect drive to the other PC.
      9. Open the File Explorer to the USB drive.
      10. Drag the files to the desired location.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 117,240 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement