How to Transfer Files With a Crossover Cable

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Crossover cable.

Use a crossover cable to easily transfer files between two computers. Crossover cables allow two computers to create their own personal, wired network to share files and folders. Each computer can share only the files and folders they choose, or share all the files on the computer. Unlike creating a typical network, the only equipment needed is a crossover cable since most computers are already equipped with a network card.

Advertisement

Step 1

Turn off each computer.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Connect each end of the crossover cable into the network card on each computer.

Step 3

Restart the computers.

Advertisement

Step 4

Right-click "My Computer," choose "Properties" and click the "Computer Name" tab.

Step 5

Write down the name beside "Workgroup."

Step 6

Repeat Step 4 on the second computer.

Advertisement

Step 7

Press "Change" and enter the workgroup name from Step 5 in the "Workgroup" textbox. Press "OK" to save the changes.

Step 8

Press "OK" when the welcome message appears.

Advertisement

Step 9

Press "OK" when prompted to restart the computer.

Step 10

Click "Start" and select "My Computer" on the first computer after boot up.

Advertisement

Step 11

Right-click the drive letter that you want to transfer files from. You can select individual files and folders after the drive itself is shared.

Advertisement

Step 12

Choose "Sharing and Security."

Step 13

Click the following two warning messages, which appear as blue links: "If you understand the risk, but still want to share the root of the drive, click here." And "If you understand the security risks but want to share files without running the wizard, click here."

Advertisement

Step 14

Click the radio button beside "Just enable file sharing" and press "OK."

Step 15

Check the box "Share this folder on the network." Either accept the default share name or enter one of your own in the "Share Name" box.

Advertisement

Step 16

Check "Allow network users to change my files" if you want to allow full access to your shared files. Press "OK."

Step 17

Double-click the drive letter you just shared and browse to the first file or folder you want to share.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 18

Right-click the folder you want to share and choose "Sharing and Security."

Step 19

Un-check "Make this folder private" and check "Share this folder on the network." Enter a share name or accept the default name.

Advertisement

Step 20

Check "Allow network users to change my files" if you want to allow full access. Press "OK."

Step 21

Repeat Steps 10 through 20 on the second computer to share the files and folders on that computer.

Advertisement

Step 22

Go to "Start," select "Control Panel" and choose "Network Connections" on the computer you want to transfer files to.

Step 23

Choose "Network Places," select "View workgroup computers" and choose the name of the computer you want to copy files from.

Step 24

Copy files as if the folder was located on your own computer.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

references