How to Transfer Files Between PCs With an Ethernet Cable in Windows 11

To transfer files from one PC to another with a network cable in Windows 11, connect the two PCs with an Ethernet cable, give each one a static IP address on the same subnet (for example, 192.168.10.1 and 192.168.10.2), turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing, and share a folder. The other PC then opens it by typing \\192.168.10.1 in File Explorer.

Any modern Ethernet cable works; the PCs’ network ports switch automatically, so you don’t need a special crossover cable. If both PCs are on the same router, you can skip the IP step.

Quick Answer

Cable the PCs together, set static IPs on each Ethernet adapter, turn on sharing in Advanced sharing settings, share a folder, and open \\IP-address on the other PC.

What You’ll Need

• An Ethernet cable (Cat5e or better).
• An Ethernet port on both PCs, or a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.
• An administrator account on both PCs, and a user account with a password on the PC that shares files.

Step 1: Connect the Cable and Set IP Addresses

1. Plug the cable into both PCs.
2. On the first PC, press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
3. Right-click Ethernet, choose Properties, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and select Properties.
4. Choose Use the following IP address. Enter 192.168.10.1 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Leave the gateway blank.
5. Select OK.
6. On the second PC, repeat with 192.168.10.2 and the same subnet mask.

Step 2: Turn On Sharing

1. On both PCs, open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
2. Under Private networks, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
3. Make sure the Ethernet connection is set to Private network (Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet > Network profile type).

Step 3: Share a Folder

1. On the PC with the files, right-click the folder and choose Properties.
2. Open the Sharing tab and select Advanced Sharing.
3. Check Share this folder, select Permissions, and allow Change if the other PC should copy files back.
4. Select OK twice.

Step 4: Copy the Files

1. On the other PC, open File Explorer.
2. Type \\192.168.10.1 in the address bar and press Enter.
3. Sign in with the sharing PC’s username and password when asked.
4. Open the shared folder and drag the files across.

To reach the folder again easily, map it as a network drive.

Other Ways to Move Files Between PCs

Method	Speed	Best for
Direct Ethernet cable	Up to 1 Gbps on most PCs	Large transfers without a router
Both PCs on the same router	Up to your network’s speed	Home networks; no IP setup needed
External drive	Fast with USB 3	No network needed
Nearby sharing (Windows 11)	Slower, wireless	A few files
Cloud storage	Depends on internet speed	Syncing across locations

If the PCs can’t see each other, change the network from Public to Private on both.

Troubleshooting

• “Windows cannot access”: Check that both PCs have Network discovery on, and that the IP addresses and subnet mask are correct. Test with ping 192.168.10.2 from the first PC.
• Ping fails: The firewall may block it on a Public network. Switch the connection to Private. Here’s how to check your IP address.
• Asked for credentials that don’t work: Use the sharing PC’s local account name, or its Microsoft account email and password.
• Internet stopped working: Change the Ethernet adapter back to Obtain an IP address automatically when you’re done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a crossover cable?

Usually not. Almost all network ports made in the last 15 years detect the connection type automatically.

Is a cable faster than Wi-Fi?

Usually, yes. A gigabit cable is steady and often faster than Wi-Fi for large files. See also how to switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet.

Summary

1. Connect the PCs and set static IPs on the same subnet.
2. Turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
3. Share a folder and open it with the other PC’s IP address.
4. Reset the IP settings to automatic afterward.