Question How to connect two PC using USB cables?

[tkmops]

How to connect two PC using USB cables?

I've been researching how to transfer files between PC's, it looks like the easiest would be to use a USB data transfer cable.

I found these instructions on-line:

Transfering Files Using a USB-to-USB Data Transfer Cable
1
Purchase a USB-to-USB data transfer cable. USB-to-USB data transfer cables have a USB-A connector on both ends. They allow you to transfer data between two computers. To do this, you will need special data transfer software. This may come with the USB-to-USB data transfer cable, or it can be purchased or downloaded online.
Check to make sure the software you are using to transfer files is compatible with your operating system. Especially if you are using a Mac computer or an older operating system.[4]
You will need to use the same data transfer software on both computers.
2
Install the data transfer software on both computers. If the data transfer cable you purchased came with a CD or DVD, you can use that to install the data transfer software on both computers. If it did not come with a CD or DVD, or your computer(s) don't have an optical disk drive, consult the user's manual that came with the data transfer cable for instructions on how to download the software online.
3
Connect the USB-to-USB data transfer cable to both computers. Plug one end of the USB cable to a free USB port on one computer. Then connect the other end of the USB cable to a free USB port on the second computer.
4
Start the data transfer software on both computers. Click the icon for your data transfer software on both computers to launch it. It may be on your desktop, Windows Start menu, or Applications folder on Mac.
5
Select the option to transfer files. Each file transfer program may be a little different. Some may have the option to sync all files between both computers so that both computers have the same files. There may also be an option to transfer everything from one computer to another. Select the option that allows you to choose which files you want to transfer. This may be a drag-and-drop option or an option to allows you to click the files you want to transfer in File Explorer or the Finder.
6
Select the files you want to transfer. Either navigate to and click the files you want to transfer to select them, or use the drag-and-drop interface to click and drag the files you want to transfer into the data transfer software.
7
Transfer the files you select. After selecting the files you want to transfer, click Ok, Send, Transfer or similar to send the files to the other computer.[5]

Would this work with my Win 10 and Win11 PC's? If so, which cable should I buy? I need at least a 12' cable to connect the two PC's. I've tried researching 'usb-a-to-usb-a data transfer cable' on both Wal-Mart(would prefer buying there as it would be delivered faster), and Amazon, but I can't tell which one to buy. I can't seem to find a 12' cable-could I connect two 6' cables together, if so, what kind of 'connector' do I need?

The how-to article(above) mentions USB-A....does it have to be 'A'? I'm seeing some 'C' cables...would they work?

Thanks!

 

[Eximo]

I don't think USB cables can go quite that far, which is why you aren't finding any for sale.

What are the computers in question?

Pretty rare for them not to have ethernet or WiFi these days.

And if you have WiFi on the two devices and a network router/modem providing data, should be simple enough to connect them.



You can also do an adhoc WiFi network between two WiFi capable devices directly.

Or direct IP communication over passthrough/patch ethernet cable. That just means setting up each computer with a static IP and matching subnet.

In a patch cable the Rx/Tx lines are swapped so they are connected directly together. Regular ethernet cables go straight through. Though most modern ethernet cards are capable of switching the Tx/Rx lines internally regardless of cable type used.

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basic...8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[kanewolf]

First question is WHY? Ethernet is a much better method to connect two PCs. You can use a point to point cable, but you have to manually set network information on both PCs.

 

[lantis3]

Buy a switch and two ethernet cables, done.

USB is for connecting your peripherals (printers, flash drives) to your PC. Not for transferring data between 2 PCs.

 

[kanewolf]

Buy a switch and two ethernet cables, done.

You don't even need a switch. With gigabit ethernet the crossover is handled automatically. But with either a switch or point-to-point you do have to manually assign IP addresses for both hosts. A router that has a DHCP server simplifies things.

 

[lantis3]

You don't even need a switch. With gigabit ethernet the crossover is handled automatically. But with either a switch or point-to-point you do have to manually assign IP addresses for both hosts.

I know. So I spoke too soon. Forgot that switch does not give out dhcp ip address. 🙄

Connecting 2 PC with a ethernet cable with auto crossover works but that's not the standard or normal way to do networking.

A router that has a DHCP server simplifies things.

Yep, it seems he does not have a router, so that should be the way.