How to Share Files between Two

Computers Using LAN Cable

This step by step guide to transfer files from PC to PC using an ethernet cable.

Before getting started, you should know that sharing or transferring files from
computer to computer by connecting them together with an ethernet cable is one of
the oldest ways to do the thing. Over the years, WiFi has grown tremendously and as
long as your two systems are in the same local network, you can simply enable
sharing on one PC and use the other PC to access those files.

When to Use LAN Cable to Send Files from One

Computer to Another
It’s a tedious thing when you have to keep on plugging and removing pen drive
everytime you want to transfer the data. This method is also useful when there is no
WiFi for you to connect the two systems or when one of your computers has no
appropriate hard to connect to a WiFi network, like most desktop computers.

Moreover, you can also use this method when you have to move a lot of data like your
media collection from one PC to the other.

The advantage of LAN cable Over others

The main advantage of using the ethernet cable method is that it is very fast, at least
faster than the regular WiFi transfer. If you have a lot of data to transfer, using the
ethernet cable is the best way to go.

Things You Need

 Two Windows computers (mandatory).

 A LAN cable, cat 5 will work fine,

 A little bit of time and patience (only if it’s your first time).
Share Files between Two Computers Using LAN
Cable
Step 1
Connect both computers to a LAN cable. You can use any LAN cable (crossover
cable or ethernet cable); it doesn’t matter on a modern computer.

Step 2
OK, now you have to turn on the sharing options on both computers.

Search for Control Panel in the start menu and open it. Here, go to “Network and
Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings.”

Here, select the radio option “turn on network detection” under public folder sharing.
Now, select the radio option “turn off password protected sharing.” This way, you
don’t have to type in your password each and every time you are trying to access
shared folders from another computer.

However, this is also a significant security risk. So, make sure to select “Turn on
password protected sharing” once you are done transferring the files via ethernet
cable.
Step 3
Now we should bring both the computers on to the same network.

1. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.

2. You will see Local Area Connection or Ethernet.

3. Right-click it and go to its properties.

4. You will see TCP/ IPv4 option there. Select it and then click on the Properties
button.
 5. In the properties window, select the option “Use the following IP address.” Now,
put the following values on 1st computer

 IP Address: 192.168.1.1

 Subnet mask: 225.225.225.0

 Default gateway: 192.168.1.2

Of course, it’s not necessary you use these IP addresses as long as the IP addresses are
in same range, you are good to go. If you are not sure what this all means, better stick
with this example.

On the second computer, open the IPv4 properties and enter the following values.

 IP address: 192.168.1.2

 Subnet mask: 225.225.225.0

 Default gateway: 192.168.1.1

Basically, what we are doing is keeping the subnet mask same and changing the IP
address.

If everything works right, you will see the two computer names in the Networks panel

Step 4
Assuming that you have connected the cable properly, enabled the sharing options,
and configured the IP addresses, it is now the time to send files from one computer to
another. For that, you first need to share the target folder on LAN.

1. Select the folder you want to share and right-click on it.

2. From the context menu, navigate to “Share with” and select the option “Specific
People.”

3. In the File Sharing window, select Everyone from the drop-down menu, click on
the “Add” button next to it and then click on the “Share” button.
That’s it. Just go back to the Networks panel from the computer where you want to
access the file and click on the other computer’s name. Here, you will see the folder
you just shared. From there, just open the folder and transfer the files and folders as
you normally do. i.e, by copy and paste.
How can I connect two computers together without
internet or an Ethernet cable?

How to Connect Two Computers Wireless in Windows 7

Let's discuss about how to connect two computers wireless in Windows 7 here! Once
you have this set up, you can connect this Windows 7 computer to other computer without
using network cable, and it’s also called ad hoc wireless network.

OK! let’s create a simple network by assigning following network info to each computer's
wireless adapter (you don’t need to configure gateway and DNS servers):

Computer A:

IP Address: 10.1.1.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway:
DNS Servers:

Computer B:

IP Address: 10.1.1.2
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway:
DNS Servers:

Note: If you have Internet Connection Sharing enabled on one of the computers, you can
just set the other computer to obtain an IP address automatically, later that computer will
be able to access Internet once the ad hoc wireless network is up. If you don't quite know
how to configure computer to obtain IP address automatically, check out this configure
IParticle to learn more.

In order to connect two computers, now you need to configure ad hoc wireless setting on
Windows 7 computer A, so that computer B can connect to it wireless, after that can proceed
to share file or printer.

On Windows 7 Computer A:

1) Go to Start and click on Control Panel.

2) Proceed to click View network status and tasks in Control Panel window.

3) Network and Sharing Center window will appear, proceed to click on Set up a new
connection or network.

4) Set Up a Connection or Network window will appear, select Set up a wireless ad hoc
(computer-to-computer) network option and click Next.

5) You will see some explanation on this wireless ad hoc network. Please note that both
computers must be within 30 feet of each other in order to connect successfully! Click Next.

6) Here you need to fill up the details of this ad hoc network. Name your network, select
security type and set security key if needed. Click Save this networkoption too, so
that can manage it later. Click Next.

Note: Although you can choose No authentication (open), WEP and WPA2-
Personal as security type, but I advise you to use WPA2-Personal as this is the most secure
security type.
7) A window will be shown to tell you that the ad hoc wireless network is in the creation
process. Finally this window will show you the created ad hoc wireless network with name
and security key info, and this info is needed for other computers to connect to this ad hoc
network. Bingo! You have done!

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Note: You can always go back to Network and Sharing Center window, and click
on manage wireless networks option to further manage this ad hoc wireless network.

8) Let’s move to computer B, search for available ad hoc wireless network and connect to it.

9) Once the connection is established, you are prompted to select network location
type and/or homegroup on computer A. I will usually select Home network as network
location type as the other connected computer is trusted computer. It's ok if you do not want
to create homegroup.

At this point, you should be able to connect two computers and ping the other connected
computer, finally proceed to share files if you like.