How to Transfer Large Files Between PCs on the Same WiFi — Fast

Why This Should Be Simple — and Why It Often Is Not

If two computers are connected to the same WiFi router, they are physically close to each other and share a local network. Transferring a file between them should, in theory, be a matter of seconds for most file sizes.

In practice, most people end up routing the file through the internet — uploading to Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Dropbox, waiting for it to upload, then downloading it on the other machine. For a 2GB file on a typical office internet connection, this can take 20–40 minutes each way.

The local network is right there. A file that would take 40 minutes via cloud can take under two minutes over WiFi, and under 30 seconds over a wired connection. The challenge is knowing how to use it correctly.

Understanding Your Actual Speeds

Before discussing methods, it helps to understand what you can realistically expect.

Connection type	Theoretical max	Real-world sustained transfer
WiFi 5 (802.11ac)	866 Mbps	40–80 MB/s
WiFi 6 (802.11ax)	1,200+ Mbps	80–150 MB/s
Gigabit Ethernet	1,000 Mbps	90–115 MB/s

A 10GB file transferred at 80 MB/s takes approximately two minutes. At a typical 20 Mbps upload speed (cloud route), the same file takes over an hour. The local network is not marginally faster — it is an entirely different category.

Method 1 — Windows File Sharing (SMB)

This is the built-in Windows approach and, when working, operates at close to theoretical network speeds.

Setup on the machine with the file:

1. Right-click the folder containing the file → Properties → Sharing → Advanced Sharing
2. Enable sharing and set permissions (Everyone with Read, or specific users)
3. Note the computer name — visible at the top of the Properties window

Accessing from the other machine:

1. Open File Explorer → address bar → type \\COMPUTERNAME\sharename
2. Authenticate if prompted
3. Copy the file normally

Limitations: Requires both machines to have matching credentials or password-protected sharing disabled. Network discovery must be working. Setup takes a few minutes. Frequently disrupted by Windows updates resetting service or firewall configurations.

Method 2 — Windows Nearby Sharing

Windows 11 and Windows 10 (21H2+) include a feature called Nearby Sharing, which uses Bluetooth or WiFi Direct.

To use it:

1. Enable Nearby Sharing on both machines: Settings → System → Nearby sharing
2. Set visibility to Everyone nearby
3. Right-click any file → Share → select the other PC from the list

Practical limitations: Nearby Sharing is optimised for single files, not folders. Transfer speeds are often significantly below what your network is capable of because it does not use direct SMB. For occasional small files it is perfectly adequate; for a 10GB project folder, look at one of the other methods.

Method 3 — A Dedicated LAN Transfer Application

Several applications are designed specifically around direct, local-network file transfer. They handle discovery, authentication, and transfer in a single application — no Windows network configuration required.

What to look for in a LAN transfer tool:

• Automatic peer discovery (no typing IP addresses)
• Transfer speeds approaching your network's throughput ceiling
• Folder support with recursive copy
• No cloud dependency — files never leave the local network

Oxolan is designed around this use case. Both machines see each other automatically in the application sidebar. You drag in a file or folder, it transfers at the full speed your network allows, and the recipient opens it directly. No shared folders, no credential configuration, no cloud account.

Get Oxolan for Windows

Method 4 — Direct WiFi Transfer Using an Ethernet Cable

If you regularly move large files between two specific machines and speed is the priority, consider connecting them directly with an Ethernet cable — even if both are primarily on WiFi.

A direct Ethernet connection between two machines uses Windows APIPA addressing automatically. Both machines will get a 169.254.x.x address and can immediately access each other via SMB without any router involvement. Transfer speeds will be limited only by your network adapters, typically hitting 100–115 MB/s sustained.

Which Method Should You Use?

Scenario	Recommended approach
One-off file, under 100MB	Nearby Sharing
Regular transfers between two specific machines	Dedicated LAN tool or mapped SMB drive
Team of 3+ people sharing files regularly	Dedicated LAN tool with automatic discovery
Maximum speed for large files	Direct Ethernet + SMB or dedicated LAN tool

Frequently Asked Questions

Does file transfer speed on WiFi depend on how many devices are connected? Yes, to a degree. WiFi is a shared medium. If multiple devices are streaming or transferring simultaneously, available bandwidth for your transfer decreases. Wired connections are unaffected by this.

Is it safe to disable Windows password-protected sharing on the office network? On a small, trusted office network, the practical risk is limited. It does mean any device that connects to the same network can access shared folders without authentication — including personal devices, guest devices, or any attacker who gains WiFi access. Use matching credentials where possible.

What is the maximum file size for Nearby Sharing? Microsoft does not publish a hard limit, but Nearby Sharing performs poorly above a few hundred MB in most real-world conditions. For large files, use SMB or a dedicated LAN application.

Will this work across two floors of the same building? Yes, as long as both machines are on the same local network (connected to the same router or through switches on the same subnet). Network speed may vary depending on the quality of the wireless coverage or cabling between floors.