Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: How to connect computers
• Part 2 of 3: Sharing Files in Windows
• Part 3 of 3: Sharing Files in Mac OS X
• Tips
• Warnings

This article will show you how to connect two computers using an Ethernet cable. In this case, you can exchange files between computers using the sharing settings.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: How to connect computers

1. 1 Find out if the computers have Ethernet ports. These are large rectangular ports marked with a three-square icon. Typically, Ethernet ports are located on the side (laptop) or rear (desktop) panel.
   • On iMac computers, the Ethernet port is on the back of the monitor.
2. 2 Purchase a USB to Ethernet adapter (if needed). Do this if your computer does not have an Ethernet port. This adapter is sold in electronics stores or online computer stores.
   • If you have a Mac, check for USB ports. Your computer may only have USB-C ports (oval, not rectangular) - in that case, buy an Ethernet-USB / C adapter or a USB-USB / C adapter.
3. 3 Check if you have an Ethernet crossover cable. Most Ethernet ports support regular Ethernet cables and Ethernet crossover cables, but a crossover cable will avoid potential errors. To determine if you have a crossover cable, look at the wire color of the plugs on both ends of the cable:
   • If the order of the wires is different at both ends of the cable, it is a crossover cable.
   • If the order of the wires is the same at both ends of the cable, it is a normal cable. A cable like this can be used to connect most computers, but if you are connecting older computers it is better to buy a crossover cable.
4. 4 Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the first computer. Plug the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port of the first computer.
   • If you are using a USB to Ethernet adapter, first connect the adapter to a USB port on your computer.
5. 5 Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the second computer. Insert the other plug of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port of the second computer.
   • If you are using a USB to Ethernet adapter, first connect the adapter to a USB port on your computer.

Part 2 of 3: Sharing Files in Windows

1. 1 Open Control Panel. Click Start in the lower left corner of the screen, enter Control Panel and click on "Control Panel" at the top of the menu.
2. 2 Click on Network and Internet. It's in the middle of the Control Panel window.
   • Skip this step if you see Small Icons or Large Icons in the View menu (in the upper-right corner of the window).
3. 3 Click on Network and Sharing Center. You will find this link at the top of the window.
   • If the View menu (in the upper-right corner of the window) displays Small Icons or Large Icons, the Network and Sharing Center option is on the right side of the page.
4. 4 Click on Additional sharing options. It's in the upper-left side of the window.
5. 5 Check the box next to "Enable File and Printer Sharing." You will find this option under File and Printer Sharing.
6. 6 Click on Save changes. It's near the bottom of the window. This will save your changes and enable file sharing on your computer.
7. 7 Create a shared folder. To view and edit files in the shared folder from a second computer, follow these steps:
   • open the folder to be shared;
   • go to the "Access" tab;
   • click on "Specific people";
   • click on the downward arrow and select “All” from the menu;
   • click Sharing> Done.
8. 8 Open the shared folder. This can be done using Explorer:
   • make sure the shared folder is on a network computer running Windows or Mac OS X;
   • open Explorer window ;
   • click on the name of the second computer in the left sidebar;
   • enter the password for the second computer if prompted;
   • open a shared folder to view its files.

Part 3 of 3: Sharing Files in Mac OS X

1. 1 Open the Apple menu . Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen. A menu will open.
2. 2 Click on System settings. You will find this option on the menu. The System Preferences window will open.
3. 3 Click on General access. It's in the System Preferences window. The Sharing window will open.
4. 4 Check the box next to File Sharing. You will find this option on the left side of the Sharing window.
5. 5 Change the resolution for the "Everyone" option. Click the icon to the right of "Everyone" and then select "Read and Write" from the menu. You can now view and edit the contents of the shared folder on the second computer.
6. 6 Create a shared folder. For this:
   • click "＋" under the list of shared folders in the "Shared" window;
   • find the folder you want to share;
   • click on a folder to select it;
   • click Add to add the folder to the list of shared folders.
7. 7 Open the shared folder. This can be done using Finder:
   • make sure the shared folder is on a network computer running Windows or Mac OS X;
   • open Finder ;
   • click on the name of the second computer in the left sidebar;
   • enter the password for the second computer if prompted;
   • open a shared folder to view its files.

Tips

• You can also share the Internet from a Windows or Mac OS X computer when the two computers are connected via an Ethernet cable.

Warnings

• Turn off file sharing when you're done transferring files between the two computers.