How To Transfer Files From PC To PC
Nothing beats the excitement of purchasing a shiny new computer. Normally, buying a new computer entails acquiring a slew of new features, enhanced processing power, improved graphics, and increased storage.
Of course, if you’re moving to a new computer and replacing an older one, you are likely to wish to move more than a few files. Ideally, you should transfer all documents, images, the whole of your user profile, accounts, favourites, bookmarks, and emails, in other words, everything you own and use. So, how to transfer files from pc to pc?
Several variables will affect the procedure, including the number of files to transfer, the file size, and the operating systems of the two computers.
While file transfer is not a complex operation, it might take several hours depending on the quantity of data you need to transmit. The following are six of the most often used strategies you may try for yourself.
1. External Storage Device
It is known most people utilize external drives. It is quite simple to copy the data from a USB flash drive from one computer to another, connect the same drive to the second computer, and copy the data again.
Alternatively, if you have more data than a flash drive can hold, you may utilize an external hard drive. If both laptops are equipped with USB 3.0 ports, you may want to consider purchasing one of the quickest flash drives available. When dealing with a large amount of data, speed becomes critical!
When using external hard drives for backup reasons, there are many factors to consider, since certain drives may have occasional file transfer failures: utilize a high-quality cable (same goes for internal drives) and a high-quality USB hub, if necessary.
Some USB controllers become unstable under heavy load as well, so if you have troubles with a hard disc connection, you may need to replace individual components to determine the source of the problem.
Pros | Cons |
| Portable - An external hard disc is portable and plug-and-play. It may be used as a storage device for any computer that supports USB or FireWire. | Data Loss - External drives are just as prone to data loss as internal drives. External hard drives are susceptible to viruses and malware software attacks. Additionally, they are susceptible to degradation from sunshine, heat, humidity, liquids, dust, and magnetic fields. |
| Emergency Use - You may utilize an external hard drive as a backup disc in case of an emergency. Because hard drives sometimes fail, keeping a backup is critical whether you rely on your computer for business or personal purposes. | Prone To Breaches - The majority of external hard drives are password-protected. If your hard drive or flash drive is lost or stolen, anybody who puts the device into a computer may access your data. |
| Improved Performance - By using the external drive as the primary storage device, you may significantly improve the performance of Macs with slower internal drives. | Difficult To Set Up - Setting up file versioning on external hard discs is difficult. If you back up your files to an external hard drive once a day, you're often left with a single backup to depend on, rather than numerous file versions |
2. Internal SSD & HDD Drives
If you’re migrating from an old computer to a newer one, your old computer may become inoperable. Alternatively, you may replace an old hard drive with a new one. However, how can you get your previous data?
Hard disc drives (HDD) and certain Solid State Drives (SSD) are connected to the motherboard through standard SATA connections. Connect your old hard drive to a spare SATA or eSATA (external SATA) connector if you have one. It will be recognized as a new drive by the operating system. Then begin the transfer. It is the quickest of all possible options.
Pros | Cons |
| High Capacity - Internal hard drives have a high capacity for storing significant quantities of data. Besides, internal hard discs are inextricably linked to your computer at all times. As a result, scheduling backups regularly needs less work. Compared to other media storage types, internal hard drives are very cost-effective. | Limited Life Expectancy - Each SSD has a limited number of reading and write cycles. This is referred to as terabytes written (TBW). When you purchase an SSD, it comes with a preset "time of death" that is affected by how often the drive is used. |
3. Using A Transfer Cable
You may transfer data via several connections rather than using a cloud-based service or an external hard drive. Because data is copied and pasted concurrently from PC to PC, this approach is often faster than utilizing discs.
Although it may seem to be rather outdated, using a file transfer cable is still an effective method of transferring information between two computers that are located near one another.
Using this device, you connect to both computers’ USB ports and then use the provided file-transfer software to pick files and folders to be transferred between them. Once your devices are connected through USB ports, the bundled transfer programme will walk you through the file and setting migration process.
If both PCs have USB 3.0 connections, data transmission will be much quicker; when you begin the file migration procedure, bear this in mind.
| Pros | Cons |
| Speed - Since USB drives do not need an internet connection, they have reasonably fast transfer speeds. On the other hand, the speed is influenced by several parameters, including the USB version, the hardware bus, and the USB controller device. | Difficult to expand - As soon as the crossover connection is connected from one computer to the next, connecting to any other computer becomes difficult without adding more network adapters. |
| Capacity - Initially, USB drives did not offer a wide range of storage capacity. Until recently, USB devices with a capacity of up to 2TB were available. As a result, users are relieved of carrying extra hardware in cases with huge storage capacity. | Untrustworthy - Computers linked in this manner are categorized automatically as having a "public" connection. Public connections disable network discovery, file sharing, and printer sharing by default. Sharing these resources becomes more laborious than if the computers were linked through a switch since you must manually re-enable these functions in each computer's settings. |
| Physical Dimensions - USB flash drives are compact and lightweight, making them very portable. They fit well into pockets and backpacks. It is the ideal replacement for hard drives and tablets that demand a lot of space. |
4. Sharing Files Over Wi-Fi
The majority of popular operating systems have an option for configuring a home network. This enables devices connected to the same router (through Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to automatically identify one another.
Thus, while transferring data between computers, you do not need to establish a new connection each time; the connection is always active as long as both machines are turned on.
| Pros | Cons |
| No External USB Memory Drive Hardware Required - Typically, when we wish to transfer data between PCs, we hunt for a USB Flash Drive or a USB Hard Disk Drive. Transferring files through Wi-Fi eliminates the need for an additional device to transmit data between two PCs. All that is required is a functional Wi-Fi connection. | Problems with the necessary bandwidth - File sharing does need adequate bandwidth to provide for rapid and easy access to data. Accessing files might be a time-consuming process if you lack the appropriate speed. |
| Rapid File Transfer - Sharing files via Wi-Fi enables quicker file transfers between PCs. When Wi-Fi links two computers, the bandwidth available for file transfers is increased significantly. Additionally, the time required to copy data from one PC to an external drive and transfer it to another PC is decreased. Files are transferred instantly from one PC to another through Wi-Fi, halving the time required. | Public Access - When files are exchanged, an employee or an external hacker's chance to share firm data in a public forum online increases. Malware, ransomware, and viruses are more likely to attack shared files. For example, the virus may infect a workstation that is used to view the data and then upload itself to your server or to the other workstation that has the contents. |
| Secure Data Transfer - Using Wi-Fi to transfer data protects you from potential dangers. Utilising a flash drive or memory drive might be detrimental to your computer's performance, since they may include viruses or other malware. By using Wi-Fi to share the file you want, you avoid this danger. |
5. Transfer Files From Pc To Pc Over LAN
LAN Cables are one of the earliest connecting two computers via Ethernet ports to transfer data. A LAN Cable allows for speedier data transfers and is compatible with all versions of Windows.
The LAN cable avoids the need to plug in and unplug the Pen drive when you wish to transfer a file (s). Additionally, you are not reliant on Wi-Fi. Whichever sort of data you desire to send, LAN Cable provides the fastest possible transfer rate, and using Wi-Fi does not need advanced technical expertise in network configuration.
| Pros | Cons |
| Facilitated Communication - Using a LAN, users may easily share messages and data. Since the data is stored on the server, it may be viewed by LAN users. Each LAN user can do this with other network users. As a result, this saves time and assures that communications are sent to the appropriate recipients. | Cost of Implementation - While LANs save money by sharing resources, the initial cost of setting up the network is quite high. This is mostly due to the demand for specialised software to create a server. Additionally, physical equipment like routers, hubs, switches, and cables must be purchased for the initial setup. |
| Data centralisation - Having a computer network enables all information to be stored in a central location and accessible to multiple users. This enables members of the same team to access all the resources necessary to do their duties. | Policy Violations - Since all data associated with linked computers is kept on a single server, unauthorised individuals may examine the browser history and downloads associated with all connected machines. |
6. Cloud-based Service Providers
You may transmit and download files using various cloud storage services, like Google Drive or OneDrive. What makes cloud storage so advantageous for file transfers? Because these cloud-based services enable you to download and transmit files of nearly any size, depending on available storage space. Additionally, you may upload larger files using online applications.
If you are working in a professional capacity, you will almost certainly be required to transfer files to individuals and organizations located worldwide. Filemail comes in handy in this situation. There are no difficult preparations, no QR codes to read, and no hurdles to go through. Sending a file is just as simple as sending an email message.
The Filemail App enables you to send huge files of any size, to any email address using a simple drag and drop interface. You may also upload files to a private URL to share with others. Transfers are enhanced by the Filemail UDP protocol, which makes it the quickest and most reliable method of sending huge files over the internet.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost - Physical storage might be too costly. Cloud storage, which does not need hardware, is much less expensive per GB than external drives. | Internet connection - Cloud storage requires an internet connection. If you are connected to a sluggish network, accessing your storage may be difficult. You will be unable to view your files if you are not connected to the internet. |
| Accessibility - By storing your files in the cloud, you can access them from any location with an internet connection. | Costs - Uploading and downloading files from the cloud incur additional charges. These charges may rapidly accumulate if you often access many files. |
| Recovery - You may access your data in the cloud in the case of a hard disc failure or other hardware problems. It is a backup option for physical hard discs used for local storage. | Privacy - When you utilise a cloud service provider, your data is no longer physically stored on your computer. Therefore, who is accountable for the security of data? This is a grey region that is currently being clarified. |
| Syncing and Keeping Your Devices Up-to-Date - When you use cloud storage, any changes you make to a file are automatically synchronized and updated across all devices from which you access the cloud. |
So, What Option Is Best For You?
Although getting a new computer is exciting, realizing that all of your information is still on the old one is less so! After all, how to share files from PC to PC is essential for any computer owner.
Currently, there are numerous options available to transfer the data, applications, and settings from your old computer to your new computer. You may access your data from any device, anywhere, whether you use an old-fashioned flash drive or a cutting-edge piece of software.
