# How do I transfer files directly between two computers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722 "2008-09-15T18:01:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/1 "2008-09-15T18:01:40Z")
I have two computers connected by an Ethernet cable and I need to transfer a few files several gigabytes in size. I don’t want to spend the money to buy a “memory stick” large enough to accommodate such files. So, how do I transfer files from computer A to computer B? The “from” computer’s OS is XP, the “to” computer’s OS is Vista. As mentioned, I have them directly connected with an Ethernet cable. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/2 "2008-09-15T18:12:12Z")
Are the computers part of a home network, or something similar, or did you just connect them with an ethernet cable? If the former, [they are part of a network](http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/a5cb96ee-ea8f-43b5-942c-7191568bd5551033.mspx). It’s then relatively simple to grant access to one computer and allow the other one to grab those files to copy/move them. If you merely connected an ethernet cable between the two machines, it will not work, and you will have to use a different method. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/3 "2008-09-15T18:14:22Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > I have two computers connected by an Ethernet cable and I need to transfer a few files several gigabytes in size. I don’t want to spend the money to buy a “memory stick” large enough to accommodate such files. > > So, how do I transfer files from computer A to computer B? The “from” computer’s OS is XP, the “to” computer’s OS is Vista. As mentioned, I have them directly connected with an Ethernet cable. > > Thanks! A standard Cat5e patch cable (which is what I assume you have) won’t work. You need a crossover cable. After you have one of those, follow [these instructions.](http://jamus.dannz.net.nz/technology/technology.htm#networking) ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/4 "2008-09-15T18:18:11Z")
Aren’t all modern NICs auto-sensing these days? You probably don’t need a crossover cable if the computers in question were built within the last few years. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/5 "2008-09-15T18:51:43Z")
If you need to do this on a continual basis, you can get the free MS SyncToy (one of the few bits of MS software I can actually recommend, even though it has such a silly name). Once set up, it syncs anything that is new or has been modified from one computer to the other (giving you the choice of which way) and deletes any you’ve cut out of one on the other. It works very well. For a reasonable price (I forget how much now), you can also get GoodSync Pro, ver 7-1-5. It has a few features SyncToy does not, and gives you a good look at what is going to be synced before you go ahead and do it. They both work just like syncing your PDA with a computer, quickly and accurately. Using these, I keep my laptop just like a clone of my desktop. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/6 "2008-09-15T19:20:23Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > Once set up, it syncs anything that is new or has been modified from one computer to the other (giving you the choice of which way) and deletes any you’ve cut out of one on the other. It works very well. So MS has ‘re-invented’ rsync and has the utter temerity to _charge for it_? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/7 "2008-09-15T19:22:51Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Aren’t all modern NICs auto-sensing these days? You probably don’t need a crossover cable if the computers in question were built within the last few years. Most NICs are only “auto sensing” in terms of speed, I believe (10/100). You will still need to make (or buy) a “cross over” cable. In a standard cable, the wires go straight through, pin 1 to pin 1, etc. A crossover swaps a pair. The dumb (nonprogrammable) hubs I got have one port that can be switched from standard to crossover. It’s possible that the latest and greatest switches or routers can autosense the cable mapping, but he is probably just trying to go peer to peer with a Cat-5 cable, I assume, with no other devices involved. Edit: You may need to “share” the folders so that the other PC can “see it”, and you might need to mess with the IP’s. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/8 "2008-09-15T19:23:13Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > I have two computers connected by an Ethernet cable and I need to transfer a few files several gigabytes in size. I don’t want to spend the money to buy a “memory stick” large enough to accommodate such files. > > So, how do I transfer files from computer A to computer B? The “from” computer’s OS is XP, the “to” computer’s OS is Vista. As mentioned, I have them directly connected with an Ethernet cable. > > Thanks! Write them to DVD ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/9 "2008-09-15T19:26:40Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Write them to DVD My computer has a Terabyte of disk space. Where can I find a 1TB DVD? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/10 "2008-09-15T19:33:24Z")
That’s not the situation in the OP, in which only a few gigabytes of files need to be transferred. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/11 "2008-09-15T19:40:06Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > So MS has ‘re-invented’ rsync and has the utter temerity to _charge for it_? :rolleyes: Did you not see the part where MS Sync is _free_? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/12 "2008-09-15T19:44:05Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > That’s not the situation in the OP, in which only a few gigabytes of files need to be transferred. OK. So how about a USB flash memory stick, as long as any one file doesn’t exceed the device’s capacity? Fast and erasable, too. A very handy gadget to have around. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/13 "2008-09-15T20:09:59Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > So MS has ‘re-invented’ rsync and has the utter temerity to _charge for it_? :rolleyes: As you’ve already been corrected on the price, I’ll also add that there is an enormous difference between rsync and SyncToy from the point of view of the average user. To most people, rsync would be completely useless because they’d never figure out how to use it. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/14 "2008-09-15T20:32:12Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > OK. So how about a USB flash memory stick, as long as any one file doesn’t exceed the device’s capacity? Fast and erasable, too. A very handy gadget to have around. From the OP: > [@Mince](#): > > I don’t want to spend the money to buy a “memory stick” large enough to accommodate such files. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/15 "2008-09-15T20:36:01Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > I don’t want to spend the money to buy a “memory stick” large enough to accommodate such files… As mentioned, I have them directly connected with an Ethernet cable. Cost of the last 2GB USB flash mem I bought: $12. Cost of a long Ethernet cable: $15 and up. Cost of a single 4.7GB DVD writeable disk: less than $1. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/16 "2008-09-15T20:36:25Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Are the computers part of a home network, or something similar, or did you just connect them with an ethernet cable? > > If the former, [they are part of a network](http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/a5cb96ee-ea8f-43b5-942c-7191568bd5551033.mspx). It’s then relatively simple to grant access to one computer and allow the other one to grab those files to copy/move them. > > If you merely connected an ethernet cable between the two machines, it will not work, and you will have to use a different method. I guess that’s what I’m asking: How do you set up a network which allows file sharing. Yes, right now, I merely have an Ethernet cable connect between the two, which I assume will be part of any network. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/17 "2008-09-15T20:39:26Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Write them to DVD The smallest file is 3GB. The biggest capacity I’ve seen on a DVD-ROM is 900MB. Of course, my knowledge is limited. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/18 "2008-09-15T20:41:41Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > OK. So how about a USB flash memory stick, as long as any one file doesn’t exceed the device’s capacity? Fast and erasable, too. A very handy gadget to have around. Price…and use. As I mentioned in the OP, I don’t want to buy what I believe to be a pricey memory stick (as I said, the smallest file is 3GB, so the stick would have to be pretty large in terms of memory), especially for a one-time operation. I’m trying to unload important files (no, not pornography) from a computer I am selling. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/19 "2008-09-15T20:47:16Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Cost of the last 2GB USB flash mem I bought: $12. Cost of a long Ethernet cable: $15 and up. Cost of a single 4.7GB DVD writeable disk: less than $1. Well, that doesn’t seem **too** bad. I was hoping for a quick, easy solution; but I guess that doesn’t exist. I really have no need for a large-capacity memstick (I already have one at 500MB) and a few of the files are over 4.7GB, so the DVD solution wouldn’t work, unless there are ones with larger capacities (are there?). Anyway, I think I will take your (and others’) advice and buy the large capacity memory stick. Even if I don’t use it much beyond this one operation, at least I’ll have the insurance that I won’t have this problem again. Thanks for all the assistance everyone. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722/20 "2008-09-15T21:21:44Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > a few of the files are over 4.7GB, so the DVD solution wouldn’t work, unless there are ones with larger capacities (are there?). Yes, there are double-layer DVDs, provided your burner can use them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-transfer-files-directly-between-two-computers/463722.md?page=2)