I'm currently using my laptop as my main computer, but I'm about to build a desktop PC. I'm looking for a way to share folders between the two devices. Ideally, I want to transfer all my files to the new PC while still being able to access them on my laptop, even when I'm traveling and the PC is off. I'm open to solutions that require both computers to be on the same network, but I'm especially interested in options that work across different networks. Ideally, I'd like any changes made to the shared folders to sync automatically without having to do manual file transfers. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
4 Answers
If you're on the same local area network (LAN), sharing files is straightforward. But if you’re on different networks, using OneDrive might be your best bet. You can get a free 5GB account, or 1TB if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, which keeps everything synced seamlessly no matter where you are.
Definitely check out ZeroTier or Tailscale for a simple way to share files over different networks. You install the software on both PCs, and it creates a secure private network for you. Just keep in mind that transfer speeds outside your home network will depend on your internet speed. You can also open and edit files directly from the other computer instead of copying them back and forth, which simplifies things a lot!
Have you considered using Syncthing? It’s great for syncing files between computers. You can set up a 'send' and 'receive' folder on both devices. Just move files you want to modify to the 'send' folder, and the changes will be synced automatically. However, keep in mind that both devices need to be online and connected to the internet at the same time for this to work. I’ve been using this setup really effectively at home!
To share folders between your devices, you can definitely do this without turning off your firewall. Just make sure the shared folder settings are correctly set up and that both computers are on a private network. You also need to ensure that user accounts have passwords set up—even a blank password won't work. That way you can easily access the folders from both machines without hassle.
Actually, you don't need to disable the firewall at all to share files. Just adjust the settings.
You could also look into using ZeroTier or Tailscale alongside Windows file sharing. These tools create a private network between your computers, making them act like they're on the same network, even when you're away.