How to Transfer Files from Mac to Windows Wirelessly

Tired of juggling USB drives to share files between Mac and PC? If you own both a Mac and a Windows 10 laptop, transferring large files across platforms can feel needlessly complex. While cloud services work, they're painfully slow for frequent transfers, especially when both devices are on the same network.

This ultimate guide unlocks 4 wireless methods to transfer big files between Mac and PC seamlessly. Whether you need to synchronize two computers with different systems at home (e.g., Mac and Windows) or need to transfer work files from your home Mac to your company Windows computer, we will show you how to get rid of cumbersome hardware dependency and achieve cross-platform, wireless speedy transfer in 1-2 minutes.

Learn to configure stable connections, avoid Wi-Fi bottlenecks, and maintain file integrity — all while keeping your workflow uninterrupted. Transform your cross-platform frustrations into one-click efficiency today!

Method 1. Wirelessly & Easily Transfer Large Files from Mac to Windows

Need to transfer files from Mac to Windows without cables or complex setups? DeskIn, a dedicated file transfer app for Mac, is designed for professionals who prioritize speed and security. It simplifies cross-platform workflows, whether you're syncing raw video edits or collaborating on sensitive contracts.

DeskIn simplifies sending files from Mac to Windows with unmatched ease. Whether sharing large folders or individual documents, its intuitive interface ensures instant cross-platform compatibility — no more wrestling with OS barriers or third-party converters. Transfer files directly between macOS and Windows devices as effortlessly as you would between two computers of the same OS.

Why Choose DeskIn for File Transferring from Mac to Windows

• Works With All Types and All Sizes of Files: Transfer photos, documents, music, videos, and any other big files without problems. No more worrying if your files will work - everything transfers perfectly.

• High-Speed Bulk Transfers: Move 10GB Files in 10 Minutes. Spend less time waiting and more time being productive when you need to send important work files quickly.

• Military-Grade Security for Sensitive Files: The transfer of files will be encrypted to protect the security of your information. Designed for lawyers, HR teams, or startups dealing with NDA/financial data, DeskIn provides secure file transfers.

• Easy Two-Way Sharing: Simply drag and drop files from Mac to Windows - no complicated setup is needed. DeskIn lets you transfer files as easily as moving files between folders on your own computer.

• Cross-system remote desktop control: Remotely control another device in real-time with high-definition image quality and millisecond response, so that collaborative retouching, debugging code, or working on documents in an emergency can be done as if you were there.

How to Quickly Transfer Large Files from Mac to PC via DeskIn

Step 1. Download DeskIn

Visit DeskIn and install it on both devices. Create and log in to your account on both devices.

Click here to download DeskIn

Step 2. Choose Remote Windows to Connect

Navigate to the Device List, find the target PC, click the File Transfer button, and enter the Password (in the Remote Control).

Note: You will also need to enter the device code if your two devices are not logged into the same account.

Step 3. Move Files from Mac to PC

Simply drag and drop files between Mac and Windows. At the bottom of the page, you can see the progress of the file transfer. After a successful transfer, you can see the transferred files in your folder.

With DeskIn, you can transfer files with unlimited size, type, and number from Mac to Windows wirelessly. Make use of its free version and transfer large files now!

Method 2. Transfer Files from Mac to Windows via iCloud

iCloud Drive lets you wirelessly share files between Mac and Windows—perfect if you're already using Apple devices and need occasional cross-platform transfers for small documents, photos, or presentations. It's built into macOS, syncs automatically to iPhones/iPads, and works on Windows via the iCloud for Windows app.

But beware: the 5GB free storage fills fast (upgrades start at $0.99/month), the Windows app feels sluggish, and Apple-specific files (like .pages) require conversion. Privacy-minded users should note that Apple scans iCloud content for CSAM, raising concerns about sensitive data. Unlike cumbersome cloud services, file transfers over a remote desktop occur in real-time with drag-and-drop simplicity.

Limitations of Using iCloud for File Transferring

• Storage Constraints: Only 5GB is shared across iCloud backups, photos, and Drive—insufficient for media-heavy users. Expanding storage requires a paid plan.

• Windows Experience Limitations: The iCloud for Windows app is slower and less intuitive than macOS integration.

• Collaboration Barriers: Windows users must manually download files via email or web links—no direct editing in iCloud.

• No LAN Sync: Transfers rely entirely on internet upload/download speeds.

But if you're an Apple loyalist sharing casual files, I'll show you exactly how to share documents between two computers by using iCloud Drive in the next steps—let's dive in!

How to Wirelessly Share Files Between A Mac and PC via iCloud

Step1. On Mac:

Enable iCloud Drive in System Settings and sign in with your Apple ID. Drag files to the iCloud Drive folder.

Step 2. On Windows:

Install iCloud for Windows and sign in with your Apple ID. Enable iCloud Drive and files sync automatically to iCloud Drive in File Explorer.

Method 3. Transfer Files and Folders via SMB File Sharing on macOS

If you want to use the SMB feature that comes with your Mac to transfer big files wirelessly to Windows, you'll have to spend five minutes manually turning on file sharing, synchronizing the workgroup names of your Mac and Windows (which are different by default), and keeping a close eye on IP addresses that could change at any time. As soon as the router reboots or switches networks, you'll have to reset the router as soon as the IP changes.

What's more, you must create a dedicated account for Windows users and risk password security if you don't close the account after the transfer. It supports real-time editing, but frequent disconnections and complex folder mapping make it suitable only for techies with the patience to toss and turn. If you can live with the above drawbacks, I'll show you how to do it next.

How to Expertly Transfer Files and Folders via SMB File Sharing on macOS

Step 1: Enable SMB File Sharing on your Mac

Open System Settings: Click on the Apple icon on your Mac and select System Settings. Find General on the left sidebar and click Sharing (you may need to scroll down).

Turn On File Sharing: Click the Info button next to File Sharing and toggle the File Sharing switch to ON.

Configure SMB Protocol: Click Options and toggle on Share files and folders using SMB. Under Windows File Sharing, check the box next to the account name whose files you'll access on Windows. Enter the password for that user and click OK. Then click Done in the SMB File Sharing window.

Note Your Mac's IP Address: Return to the File Sharing menu and find the IP address under File Sharing: On (e.g., smb://192.168.X.X).

With file sharing now active on your Mac, seamlessly switch to your Windows PC to access the shared folders.

Step 2: Connect to Your Mac's Shared Folders

Open File Explorer: Press Win and E or click the folder icon in your taskbar.

Enter Mac's IP Address: In the address bar, type \\ followed by your Mac's IP (e.g., \\192.168.X.X.). Ignore any "smb:" prefixes.

Authenticate with Mac Credentials: When prompted, enter the exact username/password of the Mac account you enabled for sharing.

Step 3: Copy Files Like a Local Drive:

Navigate to the shared folder and drag and drop files between Mac and Windows.

Troubleshooting

Connection Failed?

Ensure both devices are on the same network and firewalls aren't blocking SMB (port 445). If your Mac's IP changes, repeat Step 1 to get the new IP.

Can't Edit Files?

Grant Read/write permissions to the Windows account in Mac's sharing settings (Step 1 > Options).

Method 4. Transfer Small Files by Email

Need to quickly transfer files between Mac and PC? Email offers a zero-setup solution for urgent swaps of PDFs, photos, or documents under 25 MB. Avoid it for sensitive data or HD media due to attachment limits and lack of encryption. Using Gmail as an example, I'll show you how to send small files from Mac to Windows via email.

Limitations

• Max 25MB/file (varies by provider).

• No bulk transfers — attach files individually.

• Security risks: Email providers may scan attachments.

💻 Related Reading:

• How to Transfer Large Files via Email

• 3 Ways to Send Large Files That Exceed Email Size Limits

How to Transfer Small Files under 25MB via email

Step 1. On Mac:

Open Gmail, click New Message, and attach files using the link icon. Then send it to your Windows PC email. Remember to compress files into a ZIP archive to bypass size limits slightly when transferring large files between Mac and PC via email.

Step 2. On Windows:

Open your Gmail and download attachments. Save files to your Desktop or download them for easy access.

Conclusion

Whether you need to transfer files from Mac to Windows wirelessly for work, creativity, or casual use, the right method depends on your priorities: DeskIn is your go-to for large, sensitive files with military-grade encryption and drag-and-drop simplicity. Perfect for professionals who value speed and security.

iCloud Drive suits Apple loyalists sharing small documents or photos occasionally, but its 5GB free tier and clunky Windows integration frustrate power users. SMB File Sharing works for tech-savvy LAN transfers but demands patience for setup and network stability. Email remains a quick fix for sub-25MB files but lacks encryption and scalability.

For urgent large transfers, DeskIn outperforms clunky SMB File Sharing, cloud tools, and email. Start experimenting with DeskIn now!

Click here to download DeskIn

How to Transfer Files Over a Remote Desktop: Step-by-Step Guide

Transferring files via remote desktop is crucial for your remote collaboration, but native tools like Windows Remote Desktop Connection often frustrate users with OS restrictions, file size caps, and sluggish performance.

Whether you're sharing work documents or large media files, this guide simplifies the process for you. We'll walk you through Windows' built-in methods and introduce DeskIn, a faster alternative designed to handle your needs without limitations. For broader options, explore our ranked list of the 5 best remote desktop software for Windows.

Can You Transfer Files Using Remote Desktop Connection?

Yes, RDC offers seamless integration with Windows, delivering high-quality remote control with minimal latency and robust security through the RDC protocol—all without requiring third-party software. However, its functionality is limited to specific Windows editions: only Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions can act as the host device, leaving Home edition users excluded.

Alongside the device limits, there are notable limitations to consider:

• Not Allow for Files over 2 GB and No Batch Transfers: Restrictive for large media files or datasets, and lacks built-in queuing or compression features.

• Slow Speed: Transfer speeds rely entirely on network stability — high latency or packet loss can significantly slow down or interrupt file transfers.

• No Drag-and-Drop Support: Unlike some third-party remote tools, RDC does not natively support drag-and-drop file transfers; you must manually use the clipboard or mapped drives (the methods are shared below).

• Security Constraints: While RDC encrypts sessions, file transfers still depend on proper firewall/NAT configurations to avoid exposure risks.

If none of the above issues affect you, we'll cover the steps next.

Method 1. How to Transfer Files from Windows Remote Desktop Connection

Windows RDC is Microsoft's built-in remote access tool that allows users to control another computer's desktop environment over a network. The client is completely free. The RDC client is built into all Windows systems (including Home Edition) and can be used to connect to other devices that support Remote Desktop. However, the host (being controlled) requires a specific version of Windows (Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education) and does not support Home Edition as a console, requiring a system upgrade or the use of a third-party tool.

Ideal for Pro/Enterprise users needing occasional small transfers, this built-in method maps local drives to the remote session for simple copy-paste transfers. While convenient, it suffers from speed limitations, has no drag-and-drop support, and requires a stable network connection. In RDC, if the network goes down while transferring files, the transfer stops immediately and cannot be resumed automatically. For larger/more frequent transfers, consider the second method.

Detailed Guide to Transfer Files on Windows

The steps of this method are a bit tricky, and there will be a lot of setup operations, so we suggest you follow our steps step by step.

Step 1. Enable Remote Desktop

Open your Windows Start menu and click to select Settings. In the Settings window, locate and click on the System tab in the left navigation panel. Scroll down the right panel to find and select Remote Desktop.

Toggle the switch to the ON position in the main configuration area. When the security confirmation dialog appears, click Confirm to finalize the activation.

Return to the main Settings interface and select Network & Internet. In the left sidebar, choose Wi-Fi based on your connection type. Click on your active network connection's name to view detailed properties. Scroll through the connection properties until you locate the IPv4 address section.

Carefully note this address, along with the computer's username for remote access. You'll have to enter the username of the PC you're connecting to, so ask for it beforehand.

Step 2. Map Local Drives

In the Windows Search bar, enter "Remote Desktop Connection," then right-click the matching application and select "Run as administrator" to ensure you have the necessary permissions for configuration changes.

Click Show Options in the bottom-left corner of the Remote Desktop Connection window.

Navigate to the Local Resources tab in the top menu bar. Under Local devices and resources, click the More... button to access advanced options.

Step 3. Connect & Transfer

Expand all categories by clicking on the Plus icon and check the boxes for those drives or locations where you have data stored on your device that you want to transfer. Then click the OK button.

Switch to the General tab at the top of the window. Carefully enter the remote PC's username in the designated field, then type its IP address in the Computer field. Once both fields are completed, click the Connect button to initiate the remote session.

After entering the remote PC's password to authenticate, you'll gain access to the remote desktop. Launch File Explorer from the taskbar or Start menu, then navigate to "This PC" in the sidebar. In the main window, locate the 'Redirected drives and folders' section, where your shared local drives will appear. You can now browse these drives and copy files to the remote PC by using standard copy/paste commands.

👉 File transferring interrupted, and have to manually restart?

If you transfer large project folders, you've likely encountered Windows Remote Desktop's frustrating limitations - interrupted transfers requiring manual restart, disorganized file structures, and severe system slowdowns during operations.

This is where DeskIn's Batch Transfer shines as the ultimate solution: Its auto-resume feature eliminates manual reattempts, pristine folder structure preservation maintains your workflow integrity, intelligent bandwidth throttling allows simultaneous work without lag, and real-time progress tracking provides full visibility.

This feature is particularly invaluable for:

• Designers transfer asset-heavy creative projects.

• Developers sync entire code repositories with dependencies.

• Video editors move 4K footage and edit project files.

• Researchers share complex datasets with multiple file formats.

Method 2. Transfer Large Files over the Fast Remote Desktop App

Struggling with Windows Remote Desktop's limitations? DeskIn offers a better solution - effortlessly moving files of any size between Windows PCs with blazing speed and military-grade security. Ideal for professionals needing unlimited, cross-platform file transfers, DeskIn bypasses Windows' 2GB limit with lightning-fast speeds and transfers any files immediately.

Its optimized protocols and end-to-end encryption make it perfect for media files, backups, and team collaborations. You'll never have to worry about file leaks again. For heavy data transfers, this outperforms standard Remote Desktop with seamless performance.

Why Use DeskIn as An Alternative

• Fast File Transfers: Send files in bulk faster than regular remote desktop tools, even on slow internet connections. Spend less time waiting and more time being productive when you need to send important work files quickly.

• No Size Limits: Send huge files like videos, backups, or game files - no more 2GB restrictions! You can simultaneously transfer those large project files or personal videos that Windows Remote Desktop can't handle.

• Works With All File Types: Transfer photos, documents, music, videos, and any other files without problems. No more worrying if your files will work - everything transfers perfectly.

• Super Secure: Your files are protected with bank-level encryption during transfers. Send confidential work documents or personal photos with complete peace of mind.

• Easy Two-Way Sharing: Simply drag and drop files between your computers - no complicated setup is needed. Unlike Windows RDC, which requires complex drive mapping, DeskIn lets you transfer files as easily as moving files between folders on your own computer.

Easily Transfer Large Files between Windows with DeskIn

Now, let me show you how to transfer files in just 3 simple steps with DeskIn.

Step 1. Download DeskIn

Visit DeskIn and install it on both devices. Create and log in to your account on both devices. DeskIn offers a free trial, and you can start using it immediately.

Click here to download DeskIn

Step 2. Choose Remote Windows to Connect

Navigate to the Device List, find the target PC, click the File Transfer button, and enter the Password (in the Remote Control). Note: If your two devices are not logged into the same account, you will also need to enter the device code.

Step 3. Send Files Instantly

Simply drag and drop files between your computers. DeskIn will transfer files at 12MB/S. At the bottom of the page, you can see the progress of the file transfer. After a successful transfer, you can see the transferred files in your folder.

Note: DeskIn supports cross-system file transfers of unlimited size, type, and number.

💻 More Readings:

• 5 Practical Ways To Transfer Files Between Android and Windows PC

• 3 Ways to Send Large Files That Exceed Email Size Limits

Conclusion

While Windows Remote Desktop works for small, infrequent transfers, its 2GB cap and OS restrictions limit its practicality. For seamless, high-speed file transfers using remote desktop tasks, DeskIn removes these barriers with unlimited sizes, robust security, and intuitive controls. Whether you're a remote worker or an IT professional, DeskIn ensures your files move swiftly and securely, with no compromises.

Click here to download DeskIn