How to Use Ethernet Cable To Transfer Files Between Two Windows Computers Directly?

Suppose you want to transfer files between two Windows computers with an Ethernet cable. How do you go about doing it?

Step 1: Make or buy an Ethernet cross-over cable

You must make an Ethernet cross-over cable. It's quite easy to make. Google if you don't know how to make one.

Step 2: Connect the two computers with this cable.

It doesn't matter which end of the cross-over Ethernet cable goes into which PC.

Step 3: Configure IPv4 settings

One one computer (let's call it Computer A), go to control panel -> network and internet -> network connection and you should see all the network connections you have. Usually you have an Ethernet connection and a wireless connection, depending on your computer's network cards. Right click on the Ethernet connection and select properties. You should see a window. Select the properties of TCP/IPv4. Change IP settings to the following:

IP: 192.168.88.1
network mask: 255.255.255.0
default gateway: 192.168.88.3

Leave DNS addresses empty.

Click OK. Therefore, Computer A's IP is 192.168.88.1.

In the other computer (let's call it Computer B), change IP settings to the following:

IP: 192.168.88.2
network mask: 255.255.255.0
default gateway: 192.168.88.3

Leave DNS addresses empty.

Click OK. Therefore, Computer B's IP is 192.168.88.2.

Your default gateway can be something else, but it must be the same on both computers.

Step 4: Share your folder(s)

Let's suppose you want to transfer E:/photos/myPhoto.jpg from Computer A to Computer B. On Computer A navigate to E: and right click on photos directory and select Properties. Go to the Share tab and click on Advanced Sharing... button.

You should see a window titled "Advanced Sharing". Tick the checkbox "Share this folder". Click on Access Right button and tick the checkbox "Modify" under Everyone's Access Right. Click OK.

Now the folder E:/photos should be shareable between Computer A and Computer B.

Step 5: Log into one computer from the other computer

Let's suppose you want to transfer E:/photos/myPhoto.jpg from Computer A to Computer B. On Computer B, open a File Explorer and type the following in the address field:

\\192.168.88.1

You should see a prompt asking you to enter username and password. Enter the username and password of Computer A. Once you are done you should see Computer A's E:/photos folder. You can go into the folder and copy the file myPhoto.jpg to a local folder.

If Computer A belongs to a domain that Computer B does not belong to, you must enter Computer A's domain in the username field. How do you find the domain? Go to control panel -> user accounts -> manage user accounts, and you'll see all the accounts listed in the user account window. The column "Domain" shows the domain name.

Suppose the domain is JET-OPTO, and your username is michael, then you enter the following in the username text field:

JET-OPTO\michael

Questions? Let me know!