Connecting Two Computers with an Ethernet Cable (Windows & Mac)

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Link two PCs together directly using an Ethernet cable
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This wikiHow teaches you how to connect two computers to one another by using an Ethernet cable. Once you've connected the computers, you can share files between them by using both computers' file sharing settings.

Ways to Connect 2 Computers with an Ethernet Cable

Plug either end of the Ethernet cable into each computer to connect them. For Windows, turn on File and Printer sharing in Network and Sharing Center , choose a folder, and click Share . For Mac, enable file sharing in System Settings → General → Sharing and toggle on File Sharing. Click the info button, then click + in Shared Folders .

Section 1 of 3:

Connecting the Computers

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  1. Ethernet ports resemble large, rectangular ports which usually have a three-box icon next to them. You'll usually find Ethernet ports on one side of your computer's housing (laptop) or on the back of the tower (desktop).
    • On iMac computers, the Ethernet port is found on the back of the monitor.
  2. If your computer doesn't have an Ethernet port, you'll need to buy a USB Ethernet adapter for your computer . You can find these online (e.g., Amazon) and in tech stores (e.g., Best Buy).
    • If you have a Mac, check your USB ports as well. You might have only USB-C ports (e.g., oval ports instead of rectangular ports) meaning that you'll either need an Ethernet to USB-C adapter or a USB to USB-C adapter as well.
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  3. While most Ethernet ports support both conventional Ethernet cables and crossover Ethernet cables, you can avoid potential errors by using a crossover Ethernet cable. To determine whether or not you have a crossover cable, view the colored wires at the end of each side of the cable: [1]
    • If the colors are differently ordered on one end, you have a crossover cable.
    • If the colors are the same for both ends from left to right, you have a conventional cable. You can still use this cable for most computers, but if you're connecting older computers to each other, consider buying a crossover cable if you run into issues.
  4. The Ethernet cable's head should fit into the Ethernet port on your computer with the lever side facing down. [2]
    • If you have to use an Ethernet adapter, plug the USB end of the adapter into one of your computer's free USB ports.
  5. The other end of the Ethernet cable should plug into the other computer's available Ethernet port. [3]
    • Again, if you have to use an Ethernet adapter for the other computer, plug it in first.
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Section 2 of 3:

Using File Sharing on Windows

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  1. Click Start in the bottom-left corner of the screen, type in control panel , and click Control Panel at the top of the menu. [4]
  2. It's in the middle of the Control Panel window.
    • Skip this step if you see the phrase "Small icons" or "Large icons" next to the "View" heading in the upper-right corner of the window.
  3. You'll find this link near the top of the window. [5]
    • If your Control Panel is using the "Small icons" or "Large icons" view, you'll find Network and Sharing Center on the right side of the page.
  4. It's in the upper-left side of the window. [6]
  5. You'll find this box in the "File and printer sharing" section of the menu.
    • Windows 11 looks vastly different, but you will immediately see the same two toggles for sharing and discovery.
  6. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so saves your changes and enables file sharing on your PC.
    • You don't have to click this in Windows 11.
  7. To allow the connected computer to view and edit the contents of any shared folder, do the following: [7]
    • Open the folder you want to share.
    • Click the Share tab.
    • Click the Specific people... entry.
    • Click the downward-facing arrow in the drop-down box, then click Everyone in the resulting drop-down menu.
    • Click Share , then click Done when prompted.
  8. If you want to view a shared folder on your PC, you can do so from within File Explorer :
    • Make sure you shared the folder from your connected PC or Mac computer.
    • Open File Explorer .
    • Click the other computer's name in the left-hand sidebar.
    • Enter the other computer's password if prompted.
    • Open the shared folder to view its files.
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Section 3 of 3:

Using File Sharing on Mac

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  1. 1
    Open System Settings. You can do this by clicking the Apple logo in the menu bar at the top of your screen and selecting System Settings.
    • If you're using macOS 12 and earlier , you'll see different menus and places for things. For example, you'll see System Preferences instead of System Settings .
  2. 2
    Click General . It's on the menu on the left side of the window next to a gear icon.
  3. 3
    Click Sharing . You'll see this near the bottom of the menu, right above Time Machine and Startup Disk.
  4. 4
    Click the switch next to "File Sharing" to enable it. You'll see this under the "Content & Media" header.
  5. 5
    Clicknext to "File Sharing." Another menu will open when you click the circled i.
  6. 6
    Click + under "Shared Folders." This allows you to navigate through Finder to a folder or file that you want to share on your network.
    • If you want to share your entire computer with everyone on the network, skip this step and instead click the switch next to "Allow full disk access for all users" to enable it.
    • The Public folder of each user is automatically shared. You can stop sharing a folder by clicking it, then clicking - under "Shared Folders."
  7. 7
    Click + under "Users." By default, profiles in your Users & Groups settings can access shared files, but you can also specify with whom to share your data. These are your options:
    • Add users or groups from all users of your Mac: Only use this if the person you want to add to the file is also a user on your computer.
    • Add users or groups from everyone on your network: You can add more than one person from your network to view or edit your file.
    • Add someone from your contacts and create a sharing-only account for them: Use this method if the person you want to share the folder with does not have a device on your network or does not already have a profile on your Mac. This creates an account for them so they can see your folders.
  8. 8
    Adjust the settings for each folder. You don't have to give everyone Read & Write access to your folders; you can adjust the settings as you like. Click their username in the shared list, then choose:
    • Read & Write
    • Read only
    • Write only
    • No Access
  9. 9
    Click Done . The window will close. [8]
  10. 10
    Access shared folders from Finder. Once your computers are connected, you can browse shared folders from theFinder on your Mac. In the left-side menu bar in any Finder window, click Network under the Locations header. Double-click the name of the other computer, then select how you want to access it (i.e., as a guest, a registered user, or using an Apple Account). If prompted, enter your username and password. You can now browse shared files and folders on the other computer! [9]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can an outdated Ethernet card affect the internet connection or upload speed of 2 computers when I plug an Ethernet cable into it?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    This is definitely a possibility. If your Ethernet card is an old model, such as one that's 4 years old, it will likely lead to slow internet activity and upload speeds.
    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
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
  • Question
    Do you have any other suggestions if I still can't connect the two computers?
    Community Answer
    If both computers have a wireless connection to the same router, create a home group and share files.
    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 16 Helpful 58
  • Question
    Can I safely connect two laptops to get pictures from one to the other if one of them is not working?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how the computer has failed: If it is a software issue, you can try a bootable USB or CD. Files on the HDD should be readable and the PC can be connected. In the case of a bad screen, an external monitor may be used temporarily. A bad RAM stick can be removed if you have more than one and a required amount of ram on the other sticks. A bad CPU or motherboard could prevent the computer from being usable at all but the hard drive can be extracted and a cheap usb adapter connected to the working computer. If the hard drive has failed it may be possible to use a data recovery service but this option can be very costly.
    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
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 25
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      Warnings

      • Don't forget to turn off file sharing once you're done transferring files between your two computers.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.maketecheasier.com/connect-two-windows-computer-on-lan/
      2. ↑ https://techwiser.com/how-to-connect-pc-to-pc-lan-cable/
      3. ↑ https://techwiser.com/how-to-connect-pc-to-pc-lan-cable/
      4. ↑ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-connect-two-computers-with-an-ethernet-cable/
      5. ↑ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-connect-two-computers-with-an-ethernet-cable/
      6. ↑ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-connect-two-computers-with-an-ethernet-cable/
      7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-sharing-over-a-network-in-windows-b58704b2-f53a-4b82-7bc1-80f9994725bf#ID0EBD=Windows_10
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-file-sharing-on-mac-mh17131/mac
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-sa/guide/mac-help/mchlp1140/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Connecting 2 computers with an ethernet cable is a great way to share files. Before you connect the computers, make sure they both have ethernet ports, which look like large rectangles located either on the side of your laptop or on the back of your computer tower. If you don’t have an ethernet port, you’ll need to buy an ethernet adapter to plug into your USB port. When you’re ready, simply plug 1 end of the cable into 1 computer’s port and 1 end into the other computer’s ethernet port. Then, open the “Advanced Sharing Settings” in the Network and Sharing Center of the Control Panel. From here, you’ll need to check the “Turn on file and printer sharing” box to allow you to share files between the PCs. To learn how to share files on Mac computers, read on!

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