How to Send a 10GB File to Someone in the Same Room
The internet is the wrong tool for this. Here is how to send large files instantly when both people are physically at the same location.
The Problem With the Obvious Answer
When someone needs to send a large file to a colleague sitting nearby, most people's first instinct is to reach for a cloud service: Google Drive, WeTransfer, OneDrive, Dropbox.
This approach is technically correct — it usually works — but it is also deeply inefficient. A 10GB file uploaded at 50 Mbps takes approximately 27 minutes. The recipient then needs to download it, which takes another 15–27 minutes depending on their connection. You have spent up to an hour moving a file between two people in the same room, with a round trip through a server potentially located on another continent.
The local network between those two machines can carry that same 10GB file in under two minutes. The challenge is using it correctly.
Understanding What "Same Room" Means Technically
For two computers to send files directly between each other, they need to be on the same local network. This is almost certainly the case if they are in the same building:
- Both connected to the same WiFi router, or
- Both plugged into the same network switch via Ethernet
If this condition is met, the machines can communicate at speeds 10–100 times faster than a typical internet connection. You just need the right mechanism to do so.
Method 1 — Windows Nearby Sharing (Fast and Built-In)
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (21H2 and later) include Nearby Sharing, which uses Bluetooth or WiFi Direct to transfer files without any configuration.
Enable on both machines: Settings → System → Nearby sharing → Everyone nearby
To send a file: Right-click the file → Share → the other machine's name should appear in the list → click it
The receiving machine gets a notification to accept the incoming file.
Honest assessment for 10GB files: Nearby Sharing is convenient for small files but noticeably slower than native SMB or a dedicated LAN tool when dealing with large files. The overhead of WiFi Direct encoding, and the file-by-file (not folder) limitation, make it suboptimal for bulk transfers. For a single 10GB file it will work; for a 10GB folder with many files, it becomes impractical.
Method 2 — Direct Ethernet Cable
This method is underused and extremely fast.
Connect the two computers with a standard Ethernet cable. On modern machines (Windows 7 and later), no configuration is required — Windows assigns automatic link-local addresses and both machines can immediately see each other.
Access the share:
- On machine A, share the folder containing the file (right-click → Properties → Sharing)
- On machine B, open File Explorer → network address bar →
\\MACHINE-A-NAMEor\\169.254.x.x - Copy the file
A gigabit Ethernet connection sustains approximately 100–110 MB/s in real-world conditions. A 10GB file transfers in approximately 90 seconds.
Even if both machines are primarily on WiFi for internet access, a direct Ethernet cable for a large transfer is often worth the 30 seconds it takes to plug in.
Method 3 — SMB via the Existing Network
If both machines are already on the same office LAN, you can use Windows file sharing without any additional hardware.
On the machine with the file:
- Right-click the folder → Properties → Sharing → Advanced Sharing → Share this folder
- Set permissions (Everyone with Read access at minimum)
- Note the machine name
On the receiving machine:
Open File Explorer and navigate to \\MACHINENAME\sharename
Over WiFi 5, this sustains 40–80 MB/s. A 10GB file takes 2–4 minutes.
Limitations: Requires network discovery to be working and may run into Windows authentication issues depending on how both machines are configured. See related articles for troubleshooting if this step fails.
Method 4 — A Dedicated LAN Transfer Tool
For teams that regularly move large files between specific machines, a dedicated application handles discovery and transfer without Windows network configuration.
Oxolan operates over the local network and appears to both machines as an application-level peer. Select a colleague, drop in the folder or file, and the transfer runs at full network speed. Discovery is automatic — no IP addresses, no shared folder setup, no credential management.
For a 10GB file between two machines on the same WiFi network, expect 2–4 minutes. On a wired connection, under 90 seconds.
Speed Reference
| Transfer Method | 10GB File Transfer Time |
|---|---|
| Cloud upload + download (50 Mbps connection) | 45–60 minutes |
| Nearby Sharing (WiFi Direct) | 8–20 minutes |
| WiFi 5 via SMB or LAN app | 2–5 minutes |
| Ethernet cable direct or wired LAN | 1–2 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a whole folder of files, not just one file? Nearby Sharing handles single files only. SMB and dedicated LAN tools handle entire folders in a single operation.
Does the other person need any software installed? For SMB file sharing, no — the recipient accesses the shared folder through File Explorer. For dedicated LAN tools, both machines need the application installed.
What if both machines are on the same WiFi but different subnets? This is unusual for a single-location office but can happen if the network has multiple SSIDs or VLANs. Both machines need to be on the same subnet to communicate directly. Check with your router settings if direct connections consistently fail.
Is it faster to use a USB drive for a 10GB file? Over WiFi, it depends heavily on the USB version. USB 2.0 drives max out around 25–40 MB/s — slower than WiFi 5. USB 3.0 drives can reach 100+ MB/s, comparable to a direct Ethernet connection. The local network will generally be at least as fast as USB 3.0 and requires no physical transport of hardware.
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