- Share Files Mac Pc
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- Mac Share Files Over Network
- How To Share Files Between Macs Wirelessly
There are a variety of different ways to transfer or share files between Macs, here below are two easy and time-saving way by using Airdrop for your reference. Share Files between Macs with AirDrop. If you Mac is running OS X Lion or later, the easiest way to share files with another Mac is to make use of AirDrop. Copy from your device to your Mac Select the files that you want to copy. Drag the files to a folder on your computer. The Finder copies the files to your computer.
Summary :
If you are looking for how to share files between computers, then this article will solve the problem for you. Through this article, you can get five methods to share files between computers, and you can also know how to access shared files successfully.
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There are times when I need to wirelessly share files between Mac and PC. It happens with me both at work and home as not everyone is using macOS. Though not so plain sailing, there is a way to bridge the gap without the help of any third-party app. As for requirements, you need to have the access to the IP address that you can easily get. To share a file or folder, right-click on it and go to Properties. In the Properties tab, tap on the Sharing tab, hit Share in the Network File and Folder Sharing, and hit Share again. Enable file sharing using SMB Next, go to the Sharing pane in System Preferences and tick the box next to File Sharing. Click the Options button, check that 'Share files and folders using SMB' is.
The Benefits of Sharing Files Between Computers
File sharing refers to allowing others or yourselves to access your digital information or resources, such as texts, images, and so on. So what are the benefits of file sharing?
Tip: If you accidentally delete your files, then you can try MiniTool software to recover deleted files.
If the files you need are on one computer, but you can't use that computer for a while. However, if the files you need have been shared to other places or other computers, then you can access them from other places.
In addition, shared files can be accessed by multiple people, avoiding the problem that a file can only be accessed by one person.
How to Share Files Between Computers?
Actually, there are many ways to share files between computers. I will introduce five methods for you to share files between computers.
Use External Storage Media to Share Files Between Computers
Sharing files using external Storage Media is an old method, but this is the way most people take it. Using external storage media is useful when you only need to temporarily share files to other computers, or when you don't want to create a network share. Other than those, this method does not require you to connect to the network.
Then how to share files between computers using external storage media? You only need to connect external storage media to a computer, then copy the files to it. Then connect the same external storage media to other computers, and paste the files inside to another computer. This way you have achieved file sharing.
If your two computers have USB 3.0 ports, then in order to make file transfer faster, it is recommended that you use a USB 3.0 drive. When your files are large, the transfer speed is especially important because the fast transfer speed can save you a lot of time.
Use Transfer Cable to Share Files Between Computers
In addition to using external storage media for file sharing between computers, you can also share files using some special transfer cables. These transfer cables can be connected to two computers via USB ports, which is much faster than sharing files with external storage media, because this copy and paste occur on both computers at the same time.
And when using an external hard disk, you are basically transferring among three drives. Using a transfer cable is especially useful when you only have two drives.
Share Files Mac Pc
So how to share files between computers through transfer cable?
- At first, plug both ends of the cable into the USB port of the two computers.
- Then open the file browser (holding Win + E at the same time)
- Next, find the new software near the USB or CD and run it on both computers.
- Finally, copy and paste the files you want to share.
Although this method is fast and convenient, these cables are very expensive, so I don't recommend you to use this method to share files between computers. After all, there are other better free ways to share files.
Use File Explorer to Share Files Between Computers
When you need to share files to another computer, you can use the sharing function built into the File Explorer. You don't need to spend extra money to buy transfer cable or external storage media, and you don't need to download third-party software. Then how to share files between computers on same network using File Explorer feature?
Step 1: Open File Explorer to find the files you want to share to continue.
Step 2: Choose one file or multiple files and right-click on it, choose Properties to continue.
Step 3: In the pop-up window, click Share.. under Sharing tab to continue.
Step 4: In the pop-up window, select the person to share, then click Add, and then click Share to share the file.
Step 5: After the sharing is successful, a window will pop up. You can send the links to the person you want to share by e-mail or you can also copy and paste the links into another app. Logic pro x update. Then click Done.
Step 6: If the computers are on the same network, other people can open the File Explorer and enter the shared links in This PC to view the shared files.
Use OneDrive to Share Files Between Computers
You can also try to share files between computers via OneDrive. But if you want to share and view files using OneDrive, you need an account with OneDrive. Here's how to share files between computers Windows 10 with OneDrive:
Step 1: Type OneDrive in the search box and click the top one to open the files location.
Step 2: Right-click the files that you want to share and choose Share to continue.
Step 3: After entering the name or the email address that you want to send the files, click Send. You can also click Copy Link to get the sharable link to share it with other people.
Step 4: You can set the sharing preference for the OneDrive content. It includes the ability to allow editing, set expiration date and password.
When you share files with OneDrive, other users have got the sharable link can access your files even if your computer is offline. However, there is only 5GB free storage space, and you need to download the files to view them, so it may be a little troublesome for you.
Use MiniTool ShadowMaker to Share Files Between Computers
There is a piece of quick and safe backup software to share files with other computers – MiniTool ShadowMaker. You can use Sync feature of it to share files between computers and you can sync your files and folders regularly, so you don't have to re-sync each time you edit your files.
Note: If you want to use MiniTool ShadowMaker to share files between computers, then there should be a shared folder on another computer.
What’s more, MiniTool ShadowMaker can not only help you share files between computers, but also can help you back up data and restore it. And you can use it to clone disk to create a bootable external hard drive. So why don’t you just download MiniTool ShadowMaker and have a try?
Here is the instruction of sharing files between computers through MiniTool ShadowMaker.
Step 1: Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker and click Connect to get its main interface to continue.
Tip: You can also manage a remote computer as long as the computers are on the same LAN, and you also need the remote computer’s IP address.
Step 2: Go to the Sync page and click Source to choose the files you want to share to continue.
Step 3: Select the files or folders you want to share and then click OK to continue.
Step 4: After having chosen files you want to share, then click Destination to continue.
Step 5: As you can see, there are five different paths you can choose. But since you want to share files with other computers, then you just need to click Shared. Then you need to click Add new and enter other computer’s shared folder’s path, User name and Password. Then click OK.
Step 6: After that, you can choose a folder you want to save the sharing files and click OK.
Tip: There should be at least one folder in the shared folders.
Step 7: After you have chosen the files you want to share and the destination, then you can click Sync Now to finish sharing files between computers.
![Share Share](https://cdn.setapp.com/blog/images/sync-data-between-two-macs-1200x628.png)
Note: If you click Sync Later, then you need to click Sync Now under Manage page.
After you have done these steps, then you can view the shared files on another computer’s shared folder.
As all we know, sometimes you may lose data because the computer is crashed or virus attack. So you can try MiniTool ShadowMaker to back up or sync important data in case of losing data. Besides, it can also help you to transfer your operating system to another computer.
How to Solve the Problems During Accessing to Shared Files?
Sometimes you may not be able to access shared files because of settings on your computer. Below I will introduce several ways to help you solve problems when accessing shared files.
Identify TCP/IP Address
To ensure accurate access to shared files, you can view shared files by using a TCP/IP address instead of the computer name in the network share link. So how to find the device's IP address?
Open Settings > click Network & Internet > Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi > double-click the connected network > copy and paste your IPv4 address under the Properties section > replace the computer name with the IP address in the network path.
If this method doesn’t work, you need to try the following one.
Set Network Profile to Private
If your computer is using the public network, then you may need the enter credentials to view the shared files. So in order to save this trouble, you can set the network profile to private by the following steps:
Open Settings > click Network & Internet > Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi > double-click the connected network > choose Private under the Properties section
After doing this, you may access shared files from the computer. But if there is still trouble that you cannot view the shared files, you can try the following method.
Allow Files Through a Firewall
Sometimes the firewall may prevent you from accessing the shared files, then you should turn off the firewall for a moment. Here is the way.
Open Settings > click Update & Security > click Windows Security > click Open Windows Security > click Firewall & network protection > click Private network > turn off the Windows Defender Firewall
This method can help you that you cannot access the shared files if it is a firewall problem. But if you cannot access the shared files, you need to adopt the following method.
Open Firewall Ports for File Sharing
So in order to view the shared files successfully, you may need to do the following steps:
Open Control Panel > click System and Security > click Allow an app through Windows Firewall > click Change setting > choose File and Printer Sharing and check the Private network option > click OK
After doing these things, you can access the shared files successfully.
Conclusion
This article introduces how to share files between computers and how to access the shared files successfully. The five methods are really good for sharing files between computers. And MiniTool ShadowMaker is really a piece of powerful software to sync files and folders.
If you have any confusion or advice, leave a comment below or contact [email protected].
Best data sync app for Mac
Your data synced and secure with ChronoSync Express.
For those with multiple Macs, syncing files across computers can be a hassle. Many have a Mac at home, at work, and maybe one in a third location! Here, we’ll show you how to transfer files from Mac to Mac, share files between Macs, and move files from a cloud storage container to your Mac, locally.
Set up file sharing between Macs
The best solutions to connect two Macs to transfer, share and sync files. All in one pack, give it a go!
There are a number of different ways to transfer files from Mac to Mac or share them, depending on the tools you use to work on the file.
Transfer data between Macs online
The most popular way to transfer data between Macs is via the cloud. That could be via iCloud — Apple’s own apps use iCloud to sync between Macs and iOS devices logged into the same Apple ID — or, say, Dropbox. By saving files to your online cloud account rather than your local Mac, you’ll always be working on the most recent version of a document. Tools like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Docs work in a similar way — storing documents online so you can access them from anywhere.
If you’ve ever wondered “how do I move files from iCloud to my Mac?,” we’ll show you.
Using a cloud storage solution like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, or any other service is like having an external drive you don’t have to actually carry around. Files can be stored there, and moved to any Mac you like, or multiple Macs. It’s a popular solution because cloud storage is available anywhere you go, and there’s no hardware to manage. The best solutions – like those mentioned above – can house any file type you have.
Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud all have the ability to select multiple files or folders for download. All you need to do is command-click or shift-click on the files you want to download, then choose the ‘download’ option. For Google Drive and Dropbox it’s on the right side of the screen. (Dropbox has a ‘download’ button; Drive has a three-dot menu with a ‘download’ option.)
For iCloud users, simply select the files you want to download, they choose the ‘download’ icon – a cloud with a downward-facing arrow – at the top center of the screen.
Cloud-based storage isn’t always the right solution. You may have large files or folders that exceed your cloud storage limit, or documents you want to view and edit locally on your Mac. These are a few occasions where you’ll need to store documents and files locally and sync them later. That could be because you work offline sometimes and need to be able to access documents or because you don’t want to store documents in the cloud.
There are solutions for that too. One of them is ChronoSync Express (above), which allows you quickly and easily synchronize files between two Macs. There are a number of caveats — the Macs you sync need to be running the same version of Mac OS and the applications on them should all be the same version. In addition, you should only synchronize files in your user Home folder, with the exception of files in the Library folder. There’s an excellent guide to syncing between two Macs using ChronoSync Express here.
If you’d rather take a more manual approach to sharing files, Forklift (below) can help. Designed as a tool for managing FTP servers, Forklift can also sync and transfer files from Mac to Mac on the same network. All you need to do is connect to the Mac using AFP or SMB, log in and add the folder you want to synchronize to your Favourites in Forklift. You can then use Forklift’s sync tool to ensure the same data is always in both folders.
Transfer files with AirDrop
When two Macs are within Bluetooth range of each other, Apple’s built-in AirDrop feature may help with file transfer. It’s most useful when transferring one file at a time, and isn’t perfect for larger files or folders. But when you need to send an image or document from one Mac to another in the same vicinity, AirDrop is a very decent tool.
Here’s how to use it:
- Use the command-space bar keyboard shortcut to bring up Spotlight search on your Mac.
- Type ‘AirDrop’
- Open the AirDrop utility
Note: Make sure both Macs are powered on and not ‘sleeping.’ AirDrop only works when both devices are active. Similarly, the remaining steps will discuss how to send a file using AirDrop. - Find the Mac you want to send files or folders to
- Drag-and-drop the files or folders onto the icon of the Mac you’re sending to
For this to work well, both Macs should have their discoverability set to ‘Everyone.’ (It’s an option at the bottom of the screen, as seen below. You may be able to use the ‘contacts only’ setting, though this can be cumbersome when two Macs are using the same Apple ID.)
The upside to AirDrop is it can be used to send files to iPhones, iPads, or other Apple devices within range.
File Sharing
You can use built-in settings on your Mac to share files and folders with others in your network. It’s a good option for those who want to ‘own’ a document and allow others to edit them, or set particular users to have ‘read-only’ access. Here’s how:
- From the menu bar, select the Apple icon
- Select ‘System Preferences’
- Select ‘Sharing’
- Select the ‘File Sharing’ box
- Under ‘Shared Folders,’ add or remove folders you want others in your network to have access to
- Under ‘users,’ choose the level of access you want each user on the network to have
This is a good option for those with multiple Macs, but has a few downsides. First, you have to manage the settings from one Mac. You may also forget that another Mac has read-only access to a folder, which has to be controlled from the ‘main’ Mac computer. That said, it’s okay for those with a few Macs which are always on the same network.
Tools to sync data to Mac
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Mac foundation neutral skin tone.
Download a set of apps to transfer files from Mac to Mac. Only the most secure solutions in the pack.
The Mac is meant to be portable, and we’re sure you’re mobile as well. That’s why we prefer Dropshare, a cloud hosting service that allows you to upload files and folders from your Mac. You can use its own cloud hosting, which is free with Setapp, or use Dropshare to access third-party storage such as Amazon S3. By dragging a folder onto Dropshare on one Mac and copying it from Dropshare on another Mac, you’ll ensure that all the files within it are in sync. You will, of course, need to remember to drag the most recent version of the folder to Dropshare whenever you move to the other Mac.
Another great app is Path Finder, a highly customizable file management app for power users. It integrates with Dropbox, and has a really clever queue for files you want to share to other Macs. This allows you to manage and share tons of files without accidentally sharing files with other computers that should remain private. The smart FolderSync feature helps you share files in batches, and syncs them across multiple computers or disks.
Sync folders between Macs
Syncing and sharing are similar, but have unique differences. Sharing allows you to share files managed by a user; syncing allows other Macs to add to a folder.
The aforementioned file sharing will sync files from one Mac to another, but using a cloud storage system to sync folders is smarter. iCloud allows for this for Macs using the same iCloud account. Google Drive and Dropbox are better for managing shared folders for multiple users.
We prefer ChronoSync Express for syncing folders across multiple Macs. It has time-based event handling for backup and sync, and runs on any Mac with ChronoSync Express installed. It’s a great option for those who have multiple iMacs or Mac Pros that aren’t portable; if you have an iMac at work and a MacBook at home, ChronoSync Express is perfect.
How to move your content to a new Mac
Apple’s built-in Migration Assistant can help you transfer data from an old mac to a new one. We’ll walk you through the basics of using Migration Assistant.
On your new Mac:
- Under Applications, select ‘Migration Assistant’
- Select ‘from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk’
- Select ‘Continue’
On your old Mac:
- Open Migration Assistant
- Select ‘to another Mac’
- Select ‘Continue’
On your new Mac:
- When prompted, select the Mac you’re transferring content from
- Select ‘Continue’
Note: You may see a security code on your old and new Macs. Make sure they’re the same code, and proceed as the on-screen directions suggest.
Make sure your old and new Macs select each other as the original or destination source, and select ‘Continue’ in the window. The migration will start. Please note this process can take a day or longer, and you may be required to connect your Macs with a USB cable.
Before you begin this process, we suggest you use AnyTrans to backup your iPhone content. It makes porting content from an iPhone to your new Mac a breeze, and is a smart option when you decide to upgrade your iPhone.
Keeping files and folders synced is important. Apple’s own tooling makes it possible, but it’s pretty clumsy and limited. That’s why we prefer to manage and sync files through third-party apps.
Luckily, all the apps mentioned here – ChronoSync Express, Forklift, Dropshare, AnyTrans, and Path Finder – are available for free via a seven day trial of Setapp, the leading suite of productivity apps for the Mac. Once the free trial has ended, Setapp is only $9.99 per month for continued unlimited access to its full catalog of nearly 200 apps.
So there you go — lots of options for syncing files between two Macs, two iOS devices and even between a Mac and an iOS device. Choose the one that best meets your needs and give it a go.
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