I have three PCs hooked up on the same LAN, and I'm noticing that the file transfer speed when using Windows file sharing or apps like "Local Send" tops out at just 11 MB/s. Interestingly, when I transfer games through the Steam client on the same PCs, the speed shoots up to about 95 MB/s. Is there any way to boost the transfer speed for Windows file sharing beyond that 11 MB/s limit?
4 Answers
Check out some tips to troubleshoot your file transfer issues. Microsoft has a guide that might help you figure out what's limiting your speed. Here's a useful link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/slow-smb-file-transfer
The speed you get might vary depending on whether you're transferring large files or smaller ones. Unlike regular file transfers, Steam sends data in blocks, which can be quicker. That said, if you're capped at 11 MB/s regardless of file size, something's not right!
But file size shouldn't be an issue, right? Why is the normal file sharing limited to 11 MB/s while Steam goes up to 95 MB/s?
Double-check if you're truly seeing Mbps (megabits) or MB/s (megabytes). There’s a big difference! Also, remember that 'm' and 'M' are not the same. Just a thought, but I wonder if rounding could be affecting your numbers, too.
I’m seeing MB/s on both. Steam transfers a game in under an hour, but copying it from the shared folder takes all night!
Make sure you're not confusing Mbps with MB/s. Also, check your cables; with a good setup, you should be hitting speeds closer to 1 Gbps.
I'm using the same cables with Steam, so I doubt that's the issue.
Is disabling SMB signing a good idea? Also, using Robocopy seems like too much effort.