How to Copy Files From a Laptop to a Desktop With XP

by Gregory Hamel
Use a flash drive to quickly copy data from one computer to another.

Use a flash drive to quickly copy data from one computer to another.

Jeffrey Hamilton/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Copying files from a laptop or other mobile device to a desktop PC is an important part of backing up your data and having access to your work at all times. Files and other data can be copied from one computer to another in various ways, but the simplest and most convenient way to copy files from your laptop to a desktop is to copy the data from one computer onto a USB flash drive, and then copy the data from the flash drive to the second computer.

Step 1

Insert the flash drive into an open USB slot on the laptop.

Step 2

Click the "Start" button on your Windows desktop and select "My Computer." Double-click on the flash drive in the list of system drives. After you've plugged in the drive, Windows may display a prompt offering to open the drive. If this prompt appears, choose "Open folder to view files."

Step 3

Drag and drop the files you want to transfer onto the flash drive folder. You can drag and drop individual files or whole folders.

Step 4

Wait for the files to finish copying over to the flash drive. If you are copying a large amount of data, the transfer may take a few minutes.

Step 5

Unplug the flash drive and then connect it into a USB port on your desktop PC.

Step 6

Repeat Step 2 to open the flash drive folder on your desktop.

Step 7

Drag and drop the files on the flash drive to your computer desktop.

Step 8

Wait for the files to finish copying over and then unplug the flash drive.

Tip

  • Smaller files can be transferred remotely by sending them to yourself as an email attachment and opening the attachment on the other computer.
  • Flash drives are a convenient way to transfer files because they can fit in your pocket and enable you to transfer files between a laptop at work or some other location and your desktop computer at home.
  • An external hard drive can be used to transfer files in the same way as you would use a flash drive. While flash drives are more convenient because of their compact size, external hard drives can transfer larger amounts of data.

About the Author

Gregory Hamel has been a freelance writer for various websites since September 2008 and has also authored two young-adult science-fantasy novels. He has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from St. Olaf College. Hamel maintains a blog focused on running and fitness.

Photo Credits

  • Jeffrey Hamilton/Stockbyte/Getty Images