Sync Files Between Two Computers in 4 Simple Ways

You can sync files between two computers, and have access to the same files at multiple locations at once. The post discusses how to sync two computers and methods to sync files, folders, apps, and settings on two computers.

Having two or more computers at the same time has become quite common. And if you want to have the same files and folders on both computers, the manual method takes an eternity. But with sync, the synchronization process, we can have up-to-date the same files in multiple locations. Let us see how we can sync files between two computers in 4 ways as well as the step-by-step guide.

Do I Need to Link Two Computers Before Syncing

Yes, to sync two computers, you will have to establish some link between them. Whether you need to "link" the two computers before starting the sync process depends on how you plan to sync them and what type of data you want to sync. Below are some standard methods to sync the computer, and going forward, we will see the methods to sync files between two PCs.

1. Sync Files Between Two PCs via a Free File Sync Tool

The best way to streamline sync between two computers is to use a professional tool like EaseUS Todo Backup. With the File Sync feature, you can instantly connect two computers and sync files without any hassle. EaseUS lets you automate the entire process with its scheduled sync feature. That is set up once, and the data gets synced once you make changes. You can schedule the sync for daily, weekly, monthly, etc.

Additionally, it offers one-way sync and two-way sync options to let you decide according to your needs. Its incremental sync allows you to sync only changed files since the last task, which greatly saves storage space. You can also use it to sync file between desktop and laptop with simple clicks.

Now, download the EaseUS Todo Backup on either computer and follow the guide to start the file sync right now.

step 1. Launch EaseUS Todo Backup and click New Sync button in the bottom-left corner.

Step 2. Click Select sync path from the left side.

Step 3. Choose a folder that your want to sync, and click OK. The source folde can be from Desktop, My Documnets, Favorites, Computer, Network, or NAS.

Step 4. Select a target location where you want to sync files to. You can choose Two-way sync or One-way sync method according to your needs.

Bonus: Tap Options button to select a sync scheme, which can schedule a sync task on daily, weekly, upon an event, or real-time sync.

Step 5. Click Sync Now to start a sync task right now.

Step 6. Wait for the sync process to finish, you can see a File Sync column in the top-left corner.

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2. Sync Files Between Two PCs Through Network

You can directly sync files between computers through a network by connecting them both. It is a Windows feature that also lets you set custom permissions. It's a great feature if you want to sync small files; it takes much time to sync large files. Let us see the guide to do this.

Step 1. Right-click on the file/folder you want to share and select Properties. Open the Sharing tab and choose the Advanced Sharing option.

Step 2. Check the Share this folder option, and click Permissions at the bottom to share permissions.

Step 3. Important Step. Click on Add and type the computer's name (group or username) you want to share the files with.

Step 4. You can specify the permissions you want to allow from the Permissions tab. You will have three options: Full Control, Change, and Read.

🔖You may be interested: Sync Files Between Computer and USB Flash Drive on Windows 11/10

Step 1. If you want to access the synced folders on another computer, you must open the Run dialog box (Windows + R keys) and type \\computername or \\IP Address.

Note: If the computer throws an error saying "Network discovery is turned off…" in the Network section. Click on the error banner and select Turn on network discovery and file sharing.

Step 2. Select files or folders you want to sync and paste them on the second computer.

3. Sync Files Between Two PCs with Cloud Services

Another easy way is to sync two computers with the Cloud Storage services. You can log in to storage apps like OneDribe, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc., and exchange files and folders. For Windows, OneDrive is the best way to connect one computer to another without any other app.

Sign in to your Microsoft account on both PCs at the same time. Now, if the computers are syncing locally, you can concurrently upload and download the files from one computer to another. While syncing with cloud services, maintain adequate space to allocate files on the cloud and local system.

The one disadvantage of syncing with OneDrive is that you can only work with files and folders. You cannot do it if you want to sync the Settings and apps.

📖Extend reading: Sync Files Between Computers Without Cloud

4. Sync Files Between Two PCs with SyncToy

A name you have never heard of may be SyncToy, a Windows program powered by Microsoft that helps you sync files and folders between two devices. The SyncToy program works well if the data is synced with the folders. You can choose any folder on two devices: an internal hard drive, USB, or the network folder acting as source and destination. Below is the guide to using the SyncToy to sync two computers.

Step 1. Go to Microsoft Download Center, and download and install the SyncToy tool. Launch the SyncToy and click the Create New Folder pair button to sync folders between computers.

Step 2. Now, you have to choose the two folders to sync. Click on the Browse below the Left Folder, choose the folder path, and do the same for the Right Folder. Here, the left folder is the source, and the right one is the destination.

Step 3. Select the Sync method from the below options: Synchronize, Echo, and Contribute. Select Synchronize, as it always makes both of these folders have the same files.  

Step 4. Give a name to the Folder pair, and click Finish. You can Preview to see how the folders are being synced. Click Run to continue if everything's right.

Step 5. Once the sync is finished, you will see a screen with the successful message. From now on, SyncToy will update the content on the right folder as soon as you make changes to the left one.

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The Bottom Line

These are the top four easiest methods one can follow to sync files between two computers. Though they have their downsides, they can do a decent job. SyncToy sometimes fails; the network sync cannot sync large files, and cloud storage does not sync all settings and apps.

You can use the EaseUS Todo Backup Sync to overcome all these disadvantages. It can sync large files, Windows settings, apps, and everything with just a click. Download EaseUS Todo Backup now and sync your computers.

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on how to sync files between two computers. Check them out, and they may be helpful.

1. How do I mirror two computers to be exactly the same?

To mirror two computers the same, you can use disk imaging or cloning software to replicate two exact computers. After this, you will have to employ file synchronization to keep them intact with each other.

2. Does Windows 11 have sync software?

Yes, Windows 1a has a sync software known as Sync Center. It allows users to keep information on two computers in sync. You need to connect both computers to network servers. Since it works on a network, you can sync computers locally and require the internet.

3. What is the fastest way to share files between two nearby computers?

Cloud sync, without a doubt. Log in with your cloud app, Google Cloud, OneDrive, DropBox, etc. Once you upload the files on one, they will be ready to download on the other through cloud storage.