You can transfer files from PC to PC in many ways, for instance, using PC to PC file transfer software, USB cables, external removable storage device, online, and even cloud.

Here on this page, you'll learn everything about file transfer between PCs, including:

What Is File Transfer and Why Do You Need It
9 Ways for PC to PC File Transfer (Infographic)
Which way you should select for PC to PC File Transfer (Infographic)
Tutorials for Transferring Files from PC to PC with Your Desired Method
The Easiest and Fastest Way for PC to PC File Transfer (Infographic)

What Is File Transfer and Why Do You Need It

File sharing and transferring are widely seen everywhere nowadays. There are many accesses that you can turn to transfer and share files in our daily life, for example, mobile phone nearby sharing, WiFi transfer, online file sharing, cloud, and even cable file transfer, etc.

  • You may need to send urgent document files to your colleagues at the office.
  • You may need to share some essential thesis files with your teachers and classes at school.
  • You are asked to share a file with a person you've just met in public circumstances.

Or you are supposed to share some confidential data with your clients remotely.

So what will you do when any one of the above situations comes to you? For example, how will you transfer files from PC to PC in the Windows operating systems?

9 Best Ways for PC to PC File Transfer in 2024 (with Infographic)

Here, we picked 9 PC to-PC file transfer methods to help all Windows users successfully share files between computers:

#1. Use PC-to-PC File Transfer Software🏆
#2. PC to PC File Transfer Without Network
#3. PC to PC File Transfer Online

If you are a beginner and always need to transfer games, apps, and account settings from PC to PC, it's recommended that you use EaseUS Todo PCTrans, a professional PC to PC file transfer software.

  Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7

Key features of EaseUS Todo PCTrans:

  • Transfer files/apps/games/user accounts with custom settings.
  • Compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista.
  • Multiple transfer modes: PC to PC, drive to drive
  • Easy to use with a clear interface.

Infographic 1 - 9 Ways for PC to PC File Transfer

Tired of reading dense text? Give your eyes a rest and check the infographic to figure out what methods you can use easily - 9 Normal Ways for PC to PC File Transfer. If this image is useful for you, you can copy the code and share it on your site! Thanks!

9 ways for PC to PC file transfer

Share this Image On Your Site

Which Way You Should Select for PC to PC File Transfer (Infographic)

So which method should you select to share or transfer files between computers? We analyzed the 9 ways and classified them into different groups for all levels of Windows users. Check the comparison table here and find out which method is the one that suits you the most to transfer and share files between computers:

Comparison Data recovery service provider Hard drive data recovery software

EaseUS Todo PCTrans

All Windows Versions

External Hard Drive/USB

All Windows Versions

Send Anywhere

Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

WiFi

All Windows Versions

☆☆

Teamviewer

All Windows Versions

☆☆

OneDrive/Google Drive

Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

☆☆

Windows Easy Transfer

Windows 8/7/Vista/XP

☆☆

LAN Cable

All Windows Versions

☆☆☆

USB Cable

All Windows Versions

☆☆☆

Here is a tip for different levels of users on selecting a suitable tool for help. If you are unsure about which method to pick so to share and transfer files, follow the tips here:

  • For Windows beginners, you may try EaseUS Todo PCTrans, external hard drive/USB, or Send Anywhere.
  • For Experienced users, you can turn to Windows Easy Transfer, WiFi, Teamviewer, OneDrive/Google Drive, etc., for PC to PC file transfer.
  • As for Professionals, you probably already know the most straightforward PC to PC file transfer resolutions.

  Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7

Instead of turning to some complex file-sharing resolutions, most people prefer easy and efficient solutions that help share and transfer files whenever you have a request.

Infographic 2 - Which Way You Should Select for PC to PC File Transfer

We made a detailed infographic to analyze which method you should select for PC to PC file transfer. If you still confused about the availability and diffculty of each method, this infographic can inspire your idea.

If you agree with this and would like to help more of your friends who have the same requests for file transfer, you can share this infographic by copying the code on your site or save the image on PC:

pc to pc file transfer methods comparison

Share this Image On Your Site

Tutorials for Transferring Files from PC to PC with Your Desired Method 

1. EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free - Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/Server

  Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans on your source and target computers, connect both PCs via the internet.

1. At the "PC to PC" section, choose the transfer direction and click "Start" to continue. 

pc-to-pc-transfer-1

2. Select your target computer via its device name, then enter its account password or verification code. Then click "Connect" to continue.

You can check the verification code on the right top of "PC to PC" mainscreen on the target computer.

connect the two pcs

Step 2. Select the categories Applications, Files, and Accounts to transfer via the internet.

If you want to transfer data selectively, click "Edit" under each category, and choose the specific items.

select applications, files or accounts

Step 3. Click "Transfer" to start transferring your apps/files/accounts from one computer to another computer via the Internet.

transfer applications, files or accounts via internet

2. Windows Easy Transfer - Windows 7/8/8.1/XP/Vista

Step 1. On local PC, run Windows Easy Transfer > Next > Select An external hard disk or USB flash drive > plug in external devices > This is my old PC > Customize > Advanced > Save > Next > Save files to the external hard drive

Windows Easy Transfer

Step 2. On New PC, run Windows Easy Transfer > Next > Select An external hard disk or USB flash drive > Choose This is my new pc > plug in your external devices > Select Yes > Open the Easy Transfer file location > enter the password > Next > Customize > Advanced > Save > Click Transfer > Close Windows Easy Transfer > Restart PC

3. USB/LAN Cable 

USB cable: 

Step 1. Boot both PCs and connect them with the USB cable. 

Step 2. Run Installation Wizard > Select "USB Super link adapter" > Next.

Step 3. Go to Device Manager > Expand System Drives > Check USB cable is listed as "Hi-Speed USB Bridge Cable." 

Step 4. Insert the installation disk that was packaged with the USB cable into your CD/DVD-ROM drive. 

Step 5. See two-sided window on both computers > Drag and drop data on the desired location.

usb data transfer cable

LAN cable:

Step 1. Connect Both PCs With LAN Cable.

Step 2. Enable Network Sharing on both PCs

Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change Advanced Settings.

Choose "All Networks"> Turn off password protected sharing 

Step 3. Set Up Static IP on both PCs

Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Click Ethernet 

Click Properties on the Ethernet Status window > select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"> Click Properties.

Click "Use the following IP address" and set these values on computer 1 and 2.

 

01

PC 1

IP Address: 192.168.1.1

Subnet mask: 225.225.225.0

Default gateway: 192.168.1.2

02

PC 2

IP address: 192.168.1.2

Subnet mask: 225.225.225.0

Default gateway: 192.168.1.1

 

Step 4. Share folder.

Right-click folder > Give access to > Specific people... > Choose targeted people > Hit "Share".

ethernet cable

4. External Hard Drive/USB Flash Drive

Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to the old PC.

Step 2. Open File Explorer and find your new device.

Step 3. Drag or copy the file you want. 

Step 4. Connect the external hard drive to the new PC. Paste files.

5. WiFi

Step 1. Connect both PCs to the same WiFi router.

Step 2. Enable File and Printer Sharing on both computers. 

Go to Control Panel/Network and Internet/Network and Sharing Center/Advanced sharing settings.

Under the File and printer sharing, click on the "Turn on file and printer sharing."

turn on file and printer sharing

Step 3. View the Available Network computers from either computer. (Open File Explorer > Click on Network from left panel > Check Available PCs) Then, copy and paste the data you want to transfer. 

6. Send Anywhere

Step 1. On the old PC, Click the Plus sign and select files to transfer. Then, click Direct > Send the 6-digit key to the receiver. 

Step 2. Open the website and Input key under the Receive box on the new PC.

send anywhere

7. Use Teamviewer 

Step 1. Install Teamviewer on both PCs. Open and logo into Teamviewer account on local computer. 

Step 2. On the Computer & Contacts window, go to "My Computers" and then double-click the desired device.

Step 3. Open File Transfer browser—drag files to the right window.

Step 4. Select which device to transfer files.

transfer files teamviewer

8. OneDrive/Google Drive

OneDrive

  • Old PC: On the OneDrive website, log in to OneDrive > Select Upload > Select files to upload
  • New PC: Download files.

transfer big files OneDrive

Google Drive

  • Old PC: Log into Google Drive > Click New > Choose File Upload or Folder Upload > Select files 

google drive

  • New PC: Download files or folders.

The Easiest and Fastest Way for PC to PC File Transfer (Infographic)

01

Fast

Transfer Files, Applications, Settings from a old computer to a new computer.

02

Professional

EaseUS introduced smart file transfer mechanism into this software.

 
03

Simple

Less than 4 steps. No need to wake too many tools.

04

Wireless and Unlimited

No need to buy a cable or external hard drive for data transfer. All fixes online.

 

see what do users often transfer

  Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7

Infographic 3 - Pick EaseUS Todo PCTrans

This infographic contains the reasons for picking EaseUS Todo PCTrans for PC to PC file transfer. We would like to show the object data to see what do users often transfer. If you agree with this and would like to help more of your friends who are looking for file transfer software, you can copy the code on your site or directly share this infographic with them:

Pick EaseUS Todo PCTrans

Share this Image On Your Site

Was This Page Helpful?

Updated by Sherly

Sherly joined EaseUS in 2022 and she has always loved writing articles and enjoys the fun they bring. She receives professional training here, focusing on product performance and other relative knowledge. She has written over 200 articles to help people overcome computing issues.

Read full bio

Written by Tracy King

Tracy became a member of the EaseUS content team in 2013. Being a technical writer for over 10 years, she is enthusiastic about sharing tips to assist readers in resolving complex issues in disk management, file transfer, PC & Mac performance optimization, etc., like an expert.

Read full bio