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Sharing files between computers on the same network keeps your data off the internet and speeds up transfers. This guide covers the basic requirements, then walks through the setup steps for Windows and Mac.
Before you try to transfer files, confirm that both devices can actually see each other. Most sharing failures come down to computers sitting on separate network segments, not faulty settings.
WORKGROUP by default.This guide focuses on local file sharing. If you need to send files to a different network, such as a remote office, cloud sync tools or physical storage drives work better.
Windows and macOS both include built-in tools to move files between computers on the same network. The right method depends on your operating system and how often you need access to the shared files.
Windows offers native tools for both quick, one-time transfers and permanent network access.
Option 1: Network Share via PowerShell
Windows 11 sometimes hides both the folder’s Sharing tab and the Give access to context menu option, depending on system configuration. PowerShell provides a reliable way to create a share regardless of which UI options are available.
New-SmbShare -Name "SharedFolder" -Path "D:\SharedFolder" -FullAccess "Everyone"Get-SmbShare.
Note: If the classic Give access to option does appear when you right-click a folder (select Show more options first if needed), you can use that instead. Choose Specific people, add a user or select Everyone, then set the permission level and click Share.
Option 2: Nearby Sharing
Nearby Sharing sends files quickly over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi without changing folder permissions.
Option 3: Mapping a Network Drive
Mapping a network drive assigns a permanent drive letter to a shared folder, so it behaves like a local disk.
\\computer-name\shared-folder.
Cross-platform sharing relies on SMB (Server Message Block), a protocol supported by both operating systems for file sharing.
Enable SMB File Sharing on macOS
Connect from Windows to Mac
192.168.1.15.\\192.168.1.15 in the address bar and press Enter.Connect from Mac to Windows
smb://192.168.1.20 (using the Windows PC’s IP address) and click Connect.Understanding Permissions
Read permission lets other users view and copy files. Read/Write permission lets them edit, delete, or add files, so assign it only where that access is needed.
macOS offers two main options: instant wireless transfer or continuous network access to a shared folder.
AirDrop vs. File Sharing (SMB)
AirDrop works best for sending a quick file wirelessly. File Sharing over SMB suits ongoing access to larger folders shared between computers on the same Wi-Fi.
Using AirDrop
Using File Sharing (SMB)
smb:// followed by the first Mac’s IP address.When to Use Which
When computers do not share the same router or local connection, cloud sync or physical storage can move files across the internet instead.
Cloud services bridge devices in different physical locations. Platforms such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox upload files to a secure server so they can be accessed from anywhere.
If you already rely on OneDrive for storage, setting up a proper OneDrive backup adds a safety net in case a synced file gets overwritten or deleted by mistake.
Physical media works well when connections are slow or unavailable. High-capacity external SSDs or USB flash drives move large amounts of data quickly without depending on internet speed.
exFAT so both Windows and Mac can read and write to the drive.On Windows specifically, backing up to an external drive works well as a recurring habit rather than a one-time transfer.
Network configuration, hardware limits, or security settings can all cause local transfers to fail or run slowly. Identifying the specific bottleneck is the fastest way to restore normal speeds.
Wireless connections are prone to signal interference, physical obstructions, and channel congestion, which reduce performance compared to a wired connection.
Connect both computers to the router with Ethernet cables. This avoids wireless interference and uses the full speed of the network adapters.
The network interface card (NIC) handles the connection to the router. Outdated drivers often cause unstable connections and packet loss, which slows down transfers.
Update the NIC driver through Device Manager, or disable and re-enable the adapter to clear temporary glitches.
This happens when one device runs in half-duplex mode (sending or receiving one at a time) while the other runs in full-duplex mode (sending and receiving at once), causing data collisions and a sharp drop in performance.
Set both network adapters to the same duplex mode, or leave both on Auto-Negotiate so they agree on a matching setting automatically.
Older systems sometimes rely on NetBIOS, a legacy name resolution method, or the outdated SMBv1 protocol. Modern Windows versions disable SMBv1 by default for security reasons, which can block sharing with older devices that still depend on it.
Update the older device or software where possible. If SMBv1 access is unavoidable, enable it only temporarily through Windows Features, then disable it again once the transfer is done.
Enabling ICS can create secondary routing conflicts, often causing duplicate IP address issues and preventing network discovery from working correctly.
Turn off ICS on the connection that is not the intended shared connection, then restart both computers to clear any duplicate IP address conflicts.
General Tip: Even after fixing a specific issue, check your router’s Quality of Service (QoS) settings. Some routers deprioritize local network traffic in favor of internet traffic, which can quietly slow down transfers even when everything else is configured correctly.
The methods above work well for a handful of computers on the same network. Once a business scales to dozens of devices, multiple office locations, or remote teams, manually configuring shares on each machine becomes difficult to manage and secure.
i2Share addresses this by centralizing file storage and access control instead of relying on device-by-device sharing. Key features include:
These capabilities matter most once file sharing outgrows what manual network shares or mapped drives can handle across a growing number of devices and locations.
Q1: How can I share files from one PC to another via Wi-Fi?
Turn on Nearby Sharing in Windows settings on both PCs, or set up a local network share by right-clicking a folder. Both PCs need to be on the same Wi-Fi network with network discovery enabled.
Q2: How to access files of other computers on network?
Open File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac, then check the Network section in the sidebar. Select the target computer and sign in with its user credentials. If it doesn’t appear, type its IP address directly into the path bar instead.
Q3: How to share files between two PCs using LAN?
Connect both PCs to the same router with Ethernet cables. Right-click the folder to share, open Properties → Sharing, and add the users who need access. This gives you a fast, wired LAN share for large file transfers.
Q4: Is it safe to turn on file sharing on public Wi-Fi?
No. File sharing on public networks exposes your folders to other users on the same connection. Keep the network profile set to Public on public Wi-Fi, since this disables discovery and sharing automatically. For transferring files in public, use a cloud service or a USB drive instead.
Q5: Why can’t I see the other computer on my network?
This usually means network discovery is off or the network profile is set to public. Confirm both computers use the same workgroup name and are connected to the same router. Also check that your firewall isn’t blocking file and printer sharing.
Sharing files between computers on the same network comes down to matching the method to the situation. Nearby Sharing and network shares work well for occasional transfers between two Windows PCs, while SMB handles cross-platform sharing between Mac and Windows reliably. AirDrop suits quick one-off transfers between Macs, and mapped drives or SMB shares fit recurring, ongoing access.
When devices are not on the same network, cloud sync or external storage close that gap without much extra setup. If transfers still run slowly, checking the network configuration, drivers, and protocol settings usually resolves the issue faster than switching methods entirely.
As the number of devices, locations, or users grows, manually managing shares on each machine becomes harder to sustain. That is the point where a centralized platform like Info2soft‘s i2Share becomes worth considering for keeping file sharing organized and secure at scale.
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