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 at 1:41 AM

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 at 1:22 AM

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