How to Share Files Between Two Windows 11 PCs Without OneDrive

The Problem With the Obvious Options

You have two Windows 11 PCs on the same network and you need to move a file between them. Simple, right?

Not really. Here is what most people try:

• OneDrive — uploads to Microsoft servers, then downloads again. For a 2GB file on a fast office network, this is absurd. You are routing through a data center when the other PC is ten feet away.
• USB drive — works but you are physically walking between machines. Fine for one file, not fine for a workflow.
• Windows file sharing (SMB) — theoretically correct but in practice breaks constantly on Windows 11 due to network discovery issues.
• Email — has file size limits and you are emailing yourself, which is embarrassing.

Which Method Should You Use?

Your situation	Best method
One-off small file, both PCs modern	Nearby Sharing
You'll do this regularly	Dedicated LAN tool (Method 3)
You already run a stable shared folder	Keep SMB (Method 1)
Large files (GBs), speed matters	LAN tool over wired Ethernet
Privacy-sensitive (client/patient data)	Any local method — never cloud

The honest summary: SMB is the "correct" built-in answer but the one most likely to waste an afternoon; a dedicated tool is the one most likely to just work. The full landscape is in how to transfer files between PCs: every method.

Method 1 — Windows Built-in File Sharing (SMB)

This is the correct technical approach, when it works.

On the PC with the file:

1. Right-click the folder you want to share
2. Properties → Sharing → Advanced Sharing
3. Check "Share this folder"
4. Click Permissions, add "Everyone" with Read access (or specific users)
5. Note the computer name shown at the top of the Sharing tab

On the other PC:

1. Open File Explorer
2. In the address bar type \\COMPUTERNAME\ (replace with actual name)
3. You should see the shared folder

Why this often fails: Network discovery must be working on both PCs, both must be on the same network profile (Private, not Public), and the firewall must allow SMB traffic. Any one of these being wrong produces a cryptic error. The common ones, with exact fixes:

• Error 0x80070035 — the network path was not found
• Error 0x80004005 — unspecified error
• "You do not have permission" / 0x80070005
• The other PC doesn't appear at all

If you keep hitting these, the network discovery explainer shows why the SMB path is so fragile on Windows 11.

Method 2 — Nearby Sharing

Windows 11 has a built-in feature called Nearby Sharing that works over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct.

Right-click any file → Share → select the nearby PC from the list.

This works for occasional small files but has a practical file size limit and requires Bluetooth to be enabled on both machines.

Method 3 — A Dedicated LAN Tool

For teams that transfer files regularly, both methods above have too much friction. A dedicated local network file sharing tool removes the configuration entirely.

Oxolan is free to try and installs in under two minutes. Both PCs appear in each other's sidebar automatically — no shared folders to configure, no network discovery to troubleshoot, no cloud routing.

Get Oxolan for Windows · See pricing

For the free cross-platform alternative and an honest comparison, see Oxolan vs LocalSend. For speed expectations, the fastest way to transfer files between Windows PCs and LAN vs Wi‑Fi speed.

Related Guides

• Transfer files between PCs: every method ranked
• Windows-to-Windows AirDrop equivalent
• Share a folder on Windows 11 without a Microsoft account
• Network discovery on Windows, explained
• LAN file sharing: the complete guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to transfer files between two Windows 11 PCs? A wired local network connection using a dedicated LAN transfer tool. Wired gigabit ethernet can sustain 100+ MB/s. Wi-Fi is slower but still far faster than cloud upload/download.

Can I transfer files without being on the same network? Not locally. If the PCs are on different networks you need a cloud service or VPN.

What is the file size limit for Windows Nearby Sharing? There is no hard limit but performance degrades significantly above a few hundred MB.

Why does Windows file sharing say "You do not have permission"? The sharing permissions are set correctly but the NTFS permissions on the folder itself are restricting access. Right-click the folder → Security → add the user with Full Control.