How to Establish a Connection Between Two Computers

Buzz

Content

Things You Need to Be Aware Of

Steps to Follow

How to Share and Access Files on Windows Using Wi-Fi

Sharing Files from Windows to Windows via Ethernet Cable

Sharing and Accessing Files on a Mac Using Wi-Fi

Sharing Files Between Macs via Ethernet

Transferring Files Between Windows and Mac via Ethernet

Using a USB-to-USB Data Transfer Cable to Share Files

Sharing Internet from Windows PC

Sharing Internet from a Mac Computer

This Mytour provides guidance on linking two computers. You can establish a connection between two Mac or PC computers using an ethernet cable to exchange files or internet access. Alternatively, you can share files between computers using either an ethernet connection or Wi-Fi.

Things You Need to Be Aware Of

- Utilize Wi-Fi to share between two Windows computers or two Macs. - Employ an Ethernet cable to link Mac-to-Mac, Windows-to-Windows, or Mac-to-Windows. - Consider using a USB-to-USB Data Transfer Cable, ensuring both computers possess suitable USB ports for the transfer.

Steps to Follow

Connect both computers to the same wireless network. To share and access files over Wi-Fi, ensure both computers are connected to the same wireless network. File sharing is feasible between both Mac and Windows computers.

Access the Advanced Sharing Settings menu. Follow these steps to access the Advanced Sharing Settings menu:

Click the Windows Start button.
Click the Settings/Gear icon.
Select the Network & Internet option.
Choose Ethernet from the left menu bar.
Click Change advanced sharing settings under 'Related Settings' on the right.

Click Private. This presents the network sharing options for Private networks.

Enable both network discovery and file and printer sharing. Click the radio option next to 'Turn on network discovery' and 'Turn on file and printer sharing.'

Network discovery enables your computer to be visible and view other computers using private accounts on your computer.
File and printer sharing permits you to share files and printers over a network.

Click Guest or Public. This is the second sharing option under 'Private' in the Advanced Sharing Settings menu. It shows the network sharing options for guest and public accounts on your computer.

Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing. To do so, select the radio option next to 'Turn on network discovery' and 'Turn on file and printer sharing.'

Click All Networks. This is the third sharing option under 'Guest and Public.' It displays the advanced sharing options for all networks your computer is connected to.

Turn on network sharing. Select the radio option next to 'Turn on sharing so anyone can read and write files in the public folders.' This allows you to share files over the network.

Turn password-protected sharing on or off. If password-protected sharing is enabled, other users will need to enter your computer username and password to access your shared folders. If it is disabled, anyone on the network can access your shared folder. To enable it, select the radio option next to 'Turn password protected sharing on.' If you prefer to leave it disabled, choose the radio option next to 'Turn password protected sharing off.'

Share a folder over the network. To allow the other computer access to your files, you must share them. Follow these steps to share a folder:

Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer.
Right-click on the file or folder you wish to share.
Select Properties.
Go to the Sharing tab at the top.
Click Share.
Choose Everyone from the drop-down menu and click Add.
Set the permission level to 'Read/Write' (or just 'Read' if you don't want the other computer to modify the files).
Click Share.

Access shared files from another computer. To access shared files on another computer, you'll need the login username and password for that computer. You can access files on another Windows computer or a Mac. Here's how:

Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
Click Network in the left panel.
Choose the computer you want to access. If you don't see it listed, type '\' followed by the computer name in the address bar at the top.
Enter the computer's username and password, then click Ok.
Select the user whose files you want to access.
Open the folder containing the files you want to access.

Connect the two computers using an Ethernet cable. Connect the computers to each other using an Ethernet cable.

Open 'Network and Sharing Center' on both computers. You'll need to do this on both computers for proper configuration. Follow these steps to open the 'Network & Sharing Center' on a Windows 10 computer:

Click the Windows Start button.
Click the Settings/Gear icon.
Go to the Network & Internet section.
Choose Ethernet from the left menu bar.
Click Network and Sharing Center under 'Related Settings' on the right.

Access Ethernet settings on both computers. Find it under 'Internet' on the right. This shows your Ethernet status.

If you can't find 'Ethernet,' click Change adapter settings on the left, right-click the connected 'Ethernet' connection, and then select Properties.

Access Properties on both computers. It's the first button at the bottom of the Status window.

Select 'Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and click Properties. This shows the internet protocol properties. Do this for both computers.

Choose 'Use the following IP addresses.' This allows you to manually input a unique IP address for both computers.
Set unique IP addresses for both computers and click Ok. Keep the subnet mask as '255.255.255.0' for both. Enter the following IP addresses for each computer:

Computer 1: 192.168.1.2

Computer 2: 192.168.1.1

Activate Local Security Policy Editor (Windows 10 Home Edition). Adjust privacy settings for your Ethernet connection. For Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, skip this step. But for Windows 10 Home, you'll need to download a batch file to activate the Editor.
Visit https://www.itechtics.com/enable-secpol-msc/ in a browser.
Scroll down and click 'GPEdit Enabler for Windows 10 Home Edition.' Antivirus may warn; it's safe.
Right-click the downloaded file in Downloads and choose Run as Administrator.
Wait for the script to finish.
Access Local Security Policy Editor. To share files between computers, set Ethernet to 'Private.' Do this on both computers.
Click the Windows search bar at the bottom.
Type secpol.msc.
Click 'secpol.msc'.
Click Network List Manager Policies. Find it as the fourth option in Group Policy editor, without sub-folders. Repeat for both computers.
Double-click Unidentified Networks. This shows properties for your unidentified networks.
Select 'Private' and click Apply, then Ok. This makes unidentified networks Private. Ethernet should now show as 'Private' in 'Network and Sharing Center.' Do this on both computers.
Share a folder over the network. To grant access to your files, share them. Follow these steps:
Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer.
Right-click the file or folder you wish to share.
Click Properties.
Select the Sharing tab at the top.
Click Share.
Choose Everyone from the drop-down menu and click Add.
Set permission to 'Read/Write' (or 'Read' if modification isn't needed).

Click Share.
Access shared files from another computer. To access shared files on another PC, you'll need its login credentials. Here's how:
Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
Click Network in the left panel.
Choose the desired computer. If not listed, type \[computer-name] in the address bar.
Enter username and password, then click Ok.
Select the user whose files you need.
Access the folder containing the desired files.
Sharing and Accessing Files on a Mac Using Wi-Fi
Connect both computers to the same Wi-Fi network. For Wi-Fi file sharing, ensure both PCs are on the same network. Both Mac and Windows systems support this.
Click System Preferences…. This option is in the drop-down menu, opening the System Preferences window.
Navigate to the System Preferences window and locate the Sharing option. Once there, proceed by clicking on it. This action will open a new window where you can manage sharing settings.
Access the File Sharing settings and ensure they are activated. Navigate to the File Sharing option and ensure that the checkbox next to it is checked. This step enables file sharing functionality, allowing you to share files seamlessly.
Add a new folder to the list of shared folders. Below the 'Shared Folders' section, click on the + icon. This will prompt a Finder window to appear, enabling you to select the folder you wish to share.
Select the folder you want to share and confirm by clicking Add. Use the Finder window to navigate to the desired folder and select it. Afterward, click on the Add button located in the lower-right corner of the window.
Adjust folder permissions according to your preferences. Choose the users who should have access to the folder and specify their permissions accordingly. Options include read/write access for editing capabilities or read-only access for viewing purposes only.
Accessing Shared Folders: To access shared folders, you'll need the computer's name and login credentials if password protected. Follow these steps for Mac Wi-Fi access:

Open Finder.

Go to Go in the menu bar.

Select Connect to Server.

Choose Browse and pick the desired computer. If not visible, enter smb://[computer-name]/ under 'Server address' and press Ok.

Enter credentials and press Ok.

Select the folder and press Ok.

Sharing Files Between Macs via Ethernet
Connecting Two Macs: Utilize an Ethernet cable to link the two Macs.

If not iMacs, use Ethernet to USB-C adapters for Thunderbolt 3 ports.

For Macs without Ethernet ports, employ an ethernet-to-USB adapter.

Initiate Go on Both Macs: This action triggers a drop-down menu.

If Go is absent, click the desktop to reveal it.

Ensure this action is performed on the source Mac for file transfer.

Access Connect to Server: Located near the drop-down menu's base.
Access Browse: Located near the bottom of the Connect to Server window, it reveals nearby computers in a pop-up window.
If unable to find the computer via 'Browse,' manually connect using smb://[computer-name] under 'Server address.'

Double-click on the name of the second Mac. This action can be done within the pop-up window.
Input the password of the second computer when prompted. This step enables connection to the second computer.
Click on Connect: Situated on the lower-right side of the pop-up window.
Select the desired computer to access. Look for it in the Finder's side panel under 'Shared.'

Select desired files, then press ⌘ Command+C. This action copies selected files from the other Mac.
Navigate to the desired destination, then press ⌘ Command+V. This pastes the files onto the current Mac.
Transferring Files Between Windows and Mac via Ethernet
Connect both computers. Utilize an Ethernet cable to establish a connection.

For Macs lacking Ethernet ports, use an Ethernet to USB-C adapter.

If no Ethernet port is available on the target computer, an ethernet-to-USB adapter may be necessary.

Activate file sharing on the Windows PC. Follow these steps:

Access the Windows Start menu.

Select the Gear/Settings icon.

Choose Network & Internet.

Click Ethernet in the left menu.

Under 'Related Settings,' select Network and Sharing Center.

Click Change advanced sharing settings.

Enable Turn on network discovery for private and public networks.

Enable Turn on file and printer sharing for private and public networks.

Save changes.

Share a folder on Windows: Follow these steps:

Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer.

Right-click the desired folder and select Properties.

Access the Share tab.

Click Share.

Select Everyone from the dropdown and click Add.

Set the permission level to Read/Write.

Click Share.

Enable file sharing on a Mac: Follow these steps:

Open the Apple menu.

Select System Preferences....

Click Sharing.

Check the 'File Sharing' box.

Change 'Everyone' permissions to 'Read & Write'.

Share a folder from your Mac: Click the ＋ icon below the shared folders list, then double-click the desired folder.
If necessary, click Add to include the folder in the shared list.

Access Mac files from a Windows computer: Follow these steps using File Explorer:

Open Start.

Access File Explorer.

Click the Mac's name under the Network heading on the left side.

Open the shared folder.

Select desired files, then press Ctrl+C.

Navigate to a folder on your computer and press Ctrl+V.

Access Windows computer's files from a Mac: Follow these steps using Finder:

Open Finder.

Click your Windows computer's name in the lower-left corner.

Open the shared folder.

Select desired files, then press ⌘ Command+C.

Navigate to a folder on your Mac and press ⌘ Command+V.

Using a USB-to-USB Data Transfer Cable to Share Files
Sharing Internet from Windows PC
Connect the two computers with an Ethernet cable. To do this:

Use an Ethernet cable to link the two computers.

If your Mac lacks an Ethernet port, insert an Ethernet to USB-C adapter into the Thunderbolt 3 port. This port resembles a pill and typically appears on the side of MacBooks and the back of iMacs.

If your computer lacks an Ethernet port, acquire an Ethernet-to-USB adapter.

Access the 'Network Connections' window. Follow these steps on the host computer:

Click the Windows Start button.

Type 'Network Connections.'

Click View Network Connections.

Access the Properties of your internet connection. Follow these steps:

Right-click your current internet connection.

Click Properties.

Access the Sharing tab. Set your sharing options here.
Enable internet sharing. Check the box next to 'Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection.' It's the top option.
Choose your internet sharing method. Use the drop-down menu below 'Home network connection:' to select your method, such as 'Ethernet' for using an Ethernet cable.
Confirm your settings by clicking Ok and Yes. Save your settings.
Access Ethernet Properties. Right-click 'Ethernet' and choose Properties to access the Properties menu.
Access 'Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and click Properties. This displays internet protocol properties.
Choose 'Use the following IP addresses.' This enables manual IP address assignment for the host computer.
Set the IP address to 192.168.0.1 and click Ok. Enter the IP address next to 'IP Address.' Leave the Subnet Mask as '255.255.255.0.' Click Ok when done. This configures the host computer's settings.
Access 'Network Connections' on the client computer. Go to the client computer, and follow these steps to open 'Network Connections':

Click the Windows Start menu.

Type 'Network Connections.'

Click View Network Connections.

Right-click 'Ethernet' and select Properties. This opens the Properties menu for the Ethernet connection.
Choose 'Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and click Properties. This reveals internet protocol properties.
Opt for the radio option next to 'Use the following IP addresses' and 'Use the following DNS server address.' This allows manual IP address assignment for both the client and host computers.
Configure the following IP settings for the client computer and click Ok. Ensure the IP address is distinct from the host's. Include the host's IP address as the default gateway and DNS server. This enables internet access through the host.

IP address: 192.168.0.2

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1

Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1

Sharing Internet from a Mac Computer
Link both Mac computers with an Ethernet cable. Utilize an Ethernet cable to connect the two Macs.

If connecting two Macs, you'll require two Ethernet to USB-C adapters for your Mac's Thunderbolt 3 ports. The Thunderbolt port is identifiable by a small, pill-shaped port with a lightning bolt icon.

If one computer lacks an Ethernet port, an Ethernet-to-USB adapter may be necessary.

Access System Preferences…. Locate this option in the drop-down menu. Proceed to open the System Preferences window.
Access Sharing. Navigate to this option within the System Preferences window. A new window will appear.
Tick the 'Internet Sharing' option. You'll find this option listed on the left side.
Choose the source from the 'Share your connection from' drop-down box. This option is positioned in the center of the window. A drop-down menu will emerge.
Opt for Wi-Fi. This choice is available in the drop-down menu.
If your internet connection is through a different type of connection, select that instead.

Tick the 'Ethernet' option. This action enables your Mac to share its Internet connection with the computer connected via Wi-Fi.

Insights

You can utilize a flash drive to transfer files between computers.

For more advanced networking capabilities, consider learning about computer networking.

To identify a computer's name on Windows, access the Windows Start menu and select the Gear/Settings icon. Navigate to System, then About. The computer's name is listed next to 'Device name.'

Cautions

Transferring files over Wi-Fi is typically slower than using a cable connection.

You can transfer only files and folders between computers. Programs and applications cannot be transferred this way.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.
How can I share files between two computers using Wi-Fi?

To share files via Wi-Fi, connect both computers to the same wireless network. Access the Advanced Sharing Settings in Windows to enable network discovery and file sharing, then share desired folders.

2.
What steps are needed to connect two Macs with an Ethernet cable?

To connect two Macs using an Ethernet cable, plug the cable into both computers. Access 'Go' from the menu, select 'Connect to Server', and browse for the other Mac to establish a connection.

3.
Is it possible to link a Windows PC to a Mac for file sharing?

Yes, you can link a Windows PC to a Mac for file sharing. Connect both via Ethernet, enable file sharing on the Windows PC, and ensure the Mac is set up to receive files.

4.
What equipment do I need for connecting two Windows computers with an Ethernet cable?

To connect two Windows computers using an Ethernet cable, ensure you have the cable and access to the Network and Sharing Center to configure settings like IP addresses for both computers.

5.
How do I access shared folders from another computer in Windows?

To access shared folders, open File Explorer, click 'Network' in the left panel, select the desired computer, enter the username and password, and navigate to the shared folder.

6.
What is the role of a USB-to-USB Data Transfer Cable in file sharing?

A USB-to-USB Data Transfer Cable allows you to connect two computers directly for file sharing, provided both devices have the necessary USB ports. Follow the included software instructions for seamless transfer.

7.
Can I transfer files between a Windows PC and a Mac using Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can transfer files between a Windows PC and a Mac using Wi-Fi. Ensure both are connected to the same network and have file sharing enabled to facilitate the process.

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