How to Transfer Files from PC to PC Using/Without USB Cable | Check Your Full Guide

This paper covers four ways to transfer files from PC to PC. The first method will target how to transfer files from PC to PC using a USB cable. And we also recommend the other two useful methods, which can transfer files from PC to PC without a USB cable.

You can transfer files from PC to PC in some very easy way, including connecting two PCs with a USB data transfer cable, using a file transfer software, or storing in cloud storage. By connecting two PCs with a USB cable or Qiling Disk Master Free, you can transfer files from one PC to another, and even share your application and account with a second PC. 

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What's the Best Way to Transfer Files from PC to PC

This tutorial demonstrates four methods in total to transfer data between two computers in Windows 11/10/8/7. We suggest that you choose the transmission solution according to your real needs.

Case 1. Transfer files, programs, and settings (Large files and the file location is scattered).

Qiling Disk Master: This tool provides you with a user-friendly way to transfer multiple files/programs/settings between two PCs for free. It doesn't require much computer knowledge or any accessory purchase. Once owned, you can have lifetime free upgrades with the lifetime license. Besides, it's more than just PC migration software that can transfer files between local disks/drives or between two computers, it's also data and application backup software that can keep your data safe as long as you perform a regular backup.

Case 2. Transfer files (Limited file size and the file location is easy to find).

USB data transfer: In general, USB data transfer is faster than data transfer via wireless networks. The downside is that you need to buy a professional USB cable, and this method requires some computer knowledge. If it is a little difficult for you, we recommend that you use a simple PC data transfer software to transfer files from PC to PC.

Nearby Sharing: Speaking of Windows settings for file transfer tool, you can not miss Nearby Sharing, which is still available to Windows 11/10, version 1803 or later. Make sure your two PCs are under the same network.

Cloud storage syncing: With the limited free space, you can transfer and sync a few files. If your files are larger than the free space, you have to pay for the extra space every month. It is not a one-time purchase.

P.S. If you are going to transfer a few files, you can copy and paste them to the External hard drive via SATA cable or USB flash drive. 

How to Transfer Files from PC to PC Using a USB Cable

Applies: Users who have a USB cable. Read carefully because it contains many steps.

For PC-to-PC transfer, you first need to know how to connect the two computers. To do so, you need a USB-to-USB bridging cable or USB networking cable. The PC data transfer cable has a small electronic circuit in the middle allowing the two PCs to talk to each other. The sample image below is what a USB cable looks like, and you can use it to connect two computers by inserting either end of the cable to the USB port of each computer. Once the machines are connected successfully, you can quickly transfer files from one computer to another. 

Now, let's learn how to do USB to USB file transfer. 

Step 1. Boot both the PCs. Wait till both of them finishes the startup process and are ready to be used.

Step 2. Now take out your USB cable. Insert one end of the cable into the USB port of your computer 1, and the other end into the USB port of computer 2. Wait till both the PCs recognize the USB cable. This should also start an installation wizard.

Step 3. Choose the installation type by selecting the "USB Super link adapter." Hit "Next".

Step 4. Select "High-Speed Data Bridge" from the "Mode" drop-down menu.

Step 5. Click on the Start menu and select "Run..." Type devmgmt.msc without the quotes and hit "Enter".

Step 6. Click on the little plus sign to expand "System Devices." Check to make sure your USB cable is listed as "Hi-Speed USB Bridge Cable." Your cable may use a slightly different name, depending on the manufacturer.

Step 7. Insert the installation disk that was packaged with the USB cable into your CD/DVD-ROM drive. Follow the guided prompts to install the data transfer software. Repeat this step for the other computer to install the same software.

Step 8. Launch the program on both computers. You should see a two-sided window. On its left side, it will show your computer, and on its right side, it will show the remote computer or the new computer where you want to transfer the data.

Step 9. Select the drive/partition as per your preference. Drag the folders and files you want to transfer and drop them to the desired location. Disconnect the cable when the transfer is done.

You can use this way to transfer files from computer 1 to computer 2 or in the vice versa.

The source page of the above-detailed steps is https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-transfer-data-from-pc-to-pc-using-usb-cable. 

Transfer Files from PC to PC in Windows 11/10 without Using USB Cable

Applies: Transfer data between PCs without a USB cable. Simple steps.

Data transfer cable may not common in your daily life. So, except for transferring files from PC to PC using USB cable, we are going to introduce other practical ways to make it according to actual demands.  

1. Qiling Disk Master - Files, Programs, Settings

2. External Hard Drive - Files

3. Nearby Sharing - Files

4. Cloud Storage - Files

How to Transfer Files from PC to PC Using a PC Transfer Software

Applies to: Automatically transfer files, between PC in one click.

Although it is not common to have USB-to-USB bridge cables, most people enable Nearby Sharing or cloud storage to do the file transfer. You can use these tools when you have just a few files to transfer. Suppose you have a huge number of files that are much larger than your USB/cloud storage capacity, can you still move files between two PCs? YES, you can make it with the help of Qiling PCTans.

This powerful data transfer software enables you to move the files from the source computer to the target one, transfer the installed programs without reinstallation, and migrate Windows settings effortlessly. Let's see how to transfer data from PC to PC with the "PC to PC" mode of this PC transfer software.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1. Open Qiling Disk Master on both of your computers. Choose "Backup and recovery" to go to the next step.

Step 2. Connect two PCs via the network by entering the password or verification code of the target PC. Besides, make sure you have chosen the right transfer direction and click "Connect" to continue.

The verification code is on the right top of the "File sync" main screen on the target computer.

Step 3. Then, choose "Files" to select files to transfer. Select the specific files as you want. What's more, you can click the Edit icon to customize the storage path for transferred data.

Step 4. Now, click "Transfer" to begin to transfer files from PC to PC. The size of the file determines the transfer time. Wait patiently.

How to Transfer Data Between Two PCs without Network Connection

Assuming you don't have a network connection, how can you transfer data between PCs or laptops easily? No worry. You can also resort to Qiling PCTans for help. With its "Backup and Restore "transfer feature, you can connect two Windows laptops/PCs by the network and move your files, apps & account settings from one computer to another in one click.

Go to check the article:

Transferring Data from One Computer to Another via External Hard Drive

Applies to: Manually Copy and paste files.

Step 1. Connect your external hard drive to your PC or insert your USB on your computer.

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

Step 3. Drag or copy the file you want. (Make sure your device has enough space.)

Move Files Between Two PCs via Nearby Sharing

Applies to: Except for OneDrive files, you can migrate files with limited size.

Step 1. Go to "Settings > System > Shared experiences > Nearby Sharing", choose "Everyone nearby" and select your storage path for sharing or receiving.

Step 2. Open "File Explorer" > Right-click the file you want to transfer > Choose "Share" from the pop-up menu > Select device

 

Transfer Files from PC to PC with OneDrive, Dropbox, or Other Cloud Storage

Applies: Your cloud storage still has enough space for file transfer.

Cloud storage allows you to copy files between PCs without any USB drives, cables, or other hardware. The only drawback is that you have to pay for the extra storage more than free space.

Step 1. In the File Explorer window, open OneDrive or Dropbox with your user account.

Step 2. Drag the files you want to transfer from your computer into the folder.

Step 3. On the target computer, install OneDrive or Dropbox and log into the same account.

Step 4. Open the cloud storage folder in File Explorer and download the files to the new location on your PC.

Further Reading: How to Transfer Files from One Mac to Another Using USB Cable

You can connect two Macs via USB, but you'll need to add a USB-to-Ethernet adapter and Ethernet cable to the mix.

Step 1. Connect the USB adapter into a USB port on Mac 1.

Step 2. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable into the RJ-45 port of Mac 2. Then, plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the USB adapter.

Step 3. On the two computers, click the "Apple menu" > "System Preference" >  select "Sharing"  to open the "Sharing" preferences.

Step 4. Connect the computers in Finder. On one Mac, open "Finder" > click "Go" > "Connect to server". Click "Browse" to choose the target computer from the device list. You may need to enter its password if prompted.

Step 5. Now, drag and drop files between two Macs within this Finder window. 

Moreover, if you are interested in how to transfer data from one hard drive to another windows 10, you can read the related article to get your answer.

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