File transfer by cable between Win10 PCs.

Yes, with the Ethernet network in place to allow you access to the internet, everything needed is already in place to share files on your local network.

My suggestion would be to take a look at the tutorial I sent the link for earlier.

Think of it like this:

You have roads that you drive on that you use to take you to far away places. However, you can also use that same road system to go next door, or just around the corner.

The same holds true with your Ethernet connections. You currently use them to get to places on the Internet. But that that same cabling will allow your machines to talk to each other locally.

I'm sure that if you have never done this before, it can be a little daunting, but give the tutorial a shot. If you have any difficulties, please do feel free to ask and we'll be happy to walk you through everything step-by-step if needed.

Personally, I can't live without my network connection between machines. There are times when I often transfer several terrabytes of data between machines and there is no way that is going to happen with any thumb drives!

Hey, just use the Network folder found in Explorer. You might need to enable file sharing, you are usually prompted to do so if it is not enabled. You might need to go into Settings to enable it. I use this literally all day long to move files and view files.

My Network folder looks like this, the machines all show up.


I use only cables to connect everything, I do have Wifi, so everything is shared there too. I have an app on my phone I can browse the network.

I did enable file sharing and found 'the other PC' listed under Network; however, Security intervened and required me to enter Network Credentials - how could I expect anything less ? But I can find no clue where those credentials are initially entered so that the target PC can compare my entries to them.

So far, except for the inevitable security challenge, the process has indeed been simple with the hardware already set up for internet.

The method I used was far simpler than the steps in the tutorial you referred me to which I found hard to digest; but even in that I found no reference to credentials.

In addition, on the 64bits PC, I can see the 32bits PC listed under Network, but NOT vice versa.

Sebastian42 said:

I did enable file sharing and found 'the other PC' listed under Network; however, Security intervened and required me to enter Network Credentials - how could I expect anything less ? But I can find no clue where those credentials are initially entered so that the target PC can compare my entries to them.

So far, except for the inevitable security challenge, the process has indeed been simple with the hardware already set up for internet.

The method I used was far simpler than the steps in the tutorial you referred me to which I found hard to digest; but even in that I found no reference to credentials.

You have done most of the work. The network credentials will be the user name and password you use on the machine you are connecting to. There are ways to setup shared folders, where you can set a different user name / password or even none. I have found that if no password is setup on the use account, remote connections will not even work, this in particular is for remote desktop connections.

"this in particular is for remote desktop connections." does that apply to PC which is 1 meter away from my 'master' PC ?
I use no passwords where I can avoid them; so on my 'master' PC passwords only where otherwise there is no functionality.
I would not want to use this file transfer method if it requires starting to use passwords on my 'master' PC.

Turn off password protected sharing:
Turn On or Off Password Protected Sharing in Windows 10

Sebastian42 said:

"this in particular is for remote desktop connections." does that apply to PC which is 1 meter away from my 'master' PC ?
I use no passwords where I can avoid them; so on my 'master' PC passwords only where otherwise there is no functionality.
I would not want to use this file transfer method if it requires starting to use passwords on my 'master' PC.

The distance doesn't matter with network security. I only mentioned the remote desktop thing as an additional point. In that case, find a folder you wish to share, or the whole C: drive. Right click, select properties then sharing tab. There you can set a folder to be share. The sharing is different if you select a drive over a folder, the drive option requires advanced sharing option lower down the sharing page.

That certainly got rid of the Network Credential problem- hurrah !

But Bill Gates is never one to give up easily making it difficult for his customers.

I discover that the only useful destination accessible is in \Users\ - which is NOT where I keep the files I want to transfer.

And in any case, I can only look from the slave PC into the master PC; still not vice versa.

Sebastian42 said:

That certainly got rid of the Network Credential problem- hurrah !

But Bill Gates is never one to give up easily making it difficult for his customers.

I discover that the only useful destination accessible is in \Users\ - which is NOT where I keep the files I want to transfer.

And in any case, I can only look from the slave PC into the master PC; still not vice versa.

The sharing defaults I think are limited to user areas. Now find the drive or folder you wish to share, right click, properties then sharing. If you have turned off the password option, just share, don't worry about credentials. I have just tested on my machine, I have shared the whole C drive, it asked for a Share Name also.

Sharing shares that computers folders to the network, so you will need to setup shared folders on the remote machine for the master to view and vice versa.

"find a folder you wish to share, or the whole C: drive." That folder does NOT show amongst the item listed under 'Network locations' As stated before, the only remotely useful option is USERS; and that is NOT where the files/folders are which I want to copy.

Also, it is one way; 64bits can see 32bits, but not vice versa.

For what it is worth, laplink sharing was much more user-friendly and less restrictive; so this debacle has renewed my interest in sharing through USB, if only I could get compatible software to drive the crossover cable I have already connected.
I repeat that I quoted a URL of someone saying he did it successfully between Win10 PCs using a PC-Linq - which I have.