I have a fairly simple need, but am too much of an idiot to work it out or Google the right keywords to get a layman's guide on how to achieve my need

I have a desktop that is connected via wired ethernet to my home router (an Eero Pro Plus if it matters) and I have a laptop that connects via WiFi. Both are running Windows 11 Pro.

My desktop has all of my drives within it/attached to it via DAS devices. I want to be able to access and share files across the desktop and laptop (and potentially a further laptop if easy enough to add into the mix). This is mainly to avoid having to copy everything to middle-men USB flash drives to transfer from desktop to laptop, or vice versa.

I do not want to set up a NAS as my desktop is perfectly tuned and set up the way it is. I am basically just looking for a way to share files wirelessly and easily between my desktop and laptop.

Anyone able to help or provide an idiot's guide to achieving this at all?!

Cheers in advance!

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2025

Need to know your operating system

 

That's what I do! I just have a big external portable drive that not only transfers files around my own network but anywhere else if it becomes necessary... plus it acts as another backup.

(edit for clarity)

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2025

usb bluetooth adapter would let you transfer files. you can get an insignia one for 15 bucks at best buy.

 

That's the easiest wireless method, but I like the physical HD backup.

 

I would not use the built in windows file sharing or even mac sharing nonsense.

Use FTP to transfer the files needed from machine to machine.
Only one machine needs to be the FTP server or have FTP server installed on all the machines sharing files.

The reason is file security, isolating the folders form OS areas, login passwords, file resuming etc.

You can also use TightVNC to also transfer files ( keep the file small though).

Bottom line is these days with such large files I moved over to Portable SSD drives to transfer large files 1000+ times faster

If the files you are transferring are smaller then any FTP server ( and FTP client on the connecting computer) is okay even on Wifi.
However large files transfer suck on Wifi always has.

 

Windows 11 Pro on both (desktop on 23H2 and laptop on 24H2).

 

Yeah, that's kinda what I do now. Sometimes I'm in bed or different part of the house to my studio though and using my laptop to make DJ edits or playing around and it's a ball ache to have to go to the studio to grab files every time. Would be much easier if I could just connect the two somehow.

 

My desktp has a WiFi 6E + bluetooth antenna and my laptop has a bluetooth adapter built in. However, as per above post, it's more for when I'm in different area of home etc and ideally would just be able to remotely access my desktop from my laptop somehow and grab stuff from the DAS/external/internal drives connects to my desktop remotely when connected to the same home internet network.

 

Considering your router has switching capabilities and Wifi 6 as your desktop and you don't give a fk about security, just enable the built-in Windows RDP in both machines and you 'll be able to control one machine from the other, including file transfer. You will need to set a log/pass for both. Wifi 6E supports decent-ish speeds close to 1gbps.
Cheers

 

What about SSH/SCP Commands within Windows 10/11 ability ??

 

The thread title does include the term "idiot", so the easiest way is the one I would recommend. Any other way will involve a little more steps and user interaction. I have been using the Insignia usb micro-dongle style adapters for years and they always work for years without breaking, even in industrial environments with some signal obstructions (but not walls). Even if you are transferring to a rooted smartphone. I've tested a lot of other brands, and they are reliable for the price. It's also decent security-wise. You do your transfers and unplug it. Anything else may open a service and leave it open until disabled by user interaction.

In 2025, a smart "idiot" would just ask ChatGPT, like so:


You said:
protocol to use for sending files wirelessly from laptop to computer
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Here are several protocols and methods to send files wirelessly from a laptop to another computer, depending on your operating system and network setup:

1. Bluetooth

• Use When: Both devices have Bluetooth.
• Steps:
  1. Pair both devices via Bluetooth.
  2. On the sending laptop, right-click the file and choose the "Send via Bluetooth" option.
  3. Accept the file transfer on the receiving computer.

2. Wi-Fi Direct

• Use When: Both devices support Wi-Fi Direct.
• Steps:
  1. Enable Wi-Fi Direct on both devices.
  2. Use file-sharing apps like Feem or Send Anywhere to facilitate the transfer.

3. File Sharing Over the Local Network (SMB/AFP/NFS)

• Use When: Both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Steps (Windows to Windows):
  1. Enable "File and Printer Sharing" in the Network settings.
  2. Share the folder or file.
  3. Access the shared resource from the other computer using \\<IP Address>\ in File Explorer.
• Steps (Windows to Mac):
  1. Enable "Windows File Sharing" on the Mac.
  2. On Windows, connect using \\<Mac's IP Address>\.

4. Cloud Services

• Use When: Internet access is available.
• Steps:
  1. Upload the file to a service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
  2. Access and download the file on the other computer.

5. Peer-to-Peer File Transfer Tools

• Tools: Warpinator, Snapdrop, FileZilla (over FTP), or Resilio Sync.
• Use When: You want direct transfers without using cloud services.
• Steps:
  1. Install the tool on both devices.
  2. Follow the app's instructions to establish a connection and transfer files.

6. Email

• Use When: The file is small (<25 MB).
• Steps:
  1. Attach the file to an email.
  2. Send and download it on the other computer.

7. SSH or SCP (For Advanced Users)

• Use When: You have SSH access enabled on one of the computers.
• Steps:
  1. Install and enable SSH on the receiving computer.
  2. Use an SCP command to transfer the file:
     ruby
     scp <file_path> user@remote_ip:/destination_path

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2025

I haven't tried this though...
https://www.ntwind.com/cross-platform/upload-remote.html

 

https://localsend.org/

 

There are a number of these, and they all work pretty much the same ways. The differences are usually in the amount of displayed adds, nag features, and the other things you encounter with any free software.

The part that does not fit the initial post, is that the computer is on wired ethernet and there is no mention of wanting to connect it to the Wifi.

 

Send files over Bluetooth in Windows

Share a photo, video, or other kind of file with a friend who has a phone, laptop, or tablet.

1. Make sure the other device you want to share with is paired with your PC, turned on, and ready to receive files. Learn how to pair.
2. On your PC, select Start, then type settings. Select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
3. In Devices settings, select Send or receive files via Bluetooth.
4. In Bluetooth File Transfer, select Send files > choose the device you want to share to > Next.
5. Select Browse > the file or files to share > Open > Next (which sends it) > Finish.
6. On the receiving device, have your friend accept the file. See Receive a file over Bluetooth.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...-windows-36f8cf26-d1ff-50d1-4b73-3a56e5b43e6a

 

Most of these solutions rely on sending something to the other computer. However, none of these would fit the need in the OP because what I am looking to do is, in essence, be able to access the disks attached to the desktop from the laptop, almost like being able to access the desktop as if it's a external disk to the laptop, but remotely. If I had to go to the desktop to send a file via Bluetooth or any of the suggestions above, I may as well just connect the external drive to the laptop and transfer, so looking for a way to access ad hoc remotely.

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2025

I have made some progress on this myself. I have some suggestions. Send me an email at fjamstudios AT gmail DOT com.