How to Share Files Between Two Windows PCs on the Same Network
Moving files between two Windows computers on the same home or office network does not need a USB drive or an upload. Nearby sharing handles a file or two quickly, and a shared folder handles ongoing access. Choose the method that matches how often you share.
Follow these steps
- Connect both computers to the same network. Make sure both computers are on the same Wi-Fi network, or the same wired network, and that both are set to a Private network profile, not Public. Windows sharing is designed for trusted networks, and a Public profile blocks it for safety.
- Use Nearby sharing for a quick file. On both computers, open Settings, then System, then Nearby sharing, and turn it on, choosing My devices only or Everyone nearby as appropriate. Then right-click a file, choose Share, and pick the other computer; accept the transfer there.
- Share a folder for ongoing access. Right-click the folder you want to share, choose Properties, then Sharing, then Share, and add the people or user accounts who should have access. Choose Read if they should only view files, or Read and Write if they should also change them.
- Find the shared folder from the other computer. On the second computer, open File Explorer, then Network, and open the first computer's name, then the shared folder. If it asks for a username and password, use an account from the first computer that has permission to that folder.
- Set permissions carefully. Share only the specific folder you mean to share, not a whole drive or your entire user folder. Check the sharing permissions after setting them up, and remove access for anyone who no longer needs it.
- Turn off sharing when you no longer need it. When the transfer is done, or if you move to a public network, turn off Nearby sharing or stop sharing the folder. Leaving sharing on permanently, especially on a laptop you take elsewhere, is an unnecessary exposure.
What NOT to do
- Share your whole drive or user folder to save time. Share only the folder you need, because broader sharing exposes files you never meant to share.
- Leave sharing on with Everyone access on a public network. Sharing is for trusted private networks; on public Wi-Fi, turn it off.
- Send sensitive files over Nearby sharing to Everyone nearby without checking which device accepted. Confirm the device name before sending anything private.
- Use sharing as your only backup. A shared folder is convenient, but it is not a backup; if the source computer fails, the shared copy may go with it.
Once the second computer can open the shared folder, try copying a small file both ways to confirm read and write access work as you set them. If the other computer does not appear under Network, double-check that both are on the same private network first.