How to Connect Two Computers with an Ethernet Cable

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

This wikiHow teaches you how to connect two computers using an Ethernet cable. If the two computers are already connected, you can share files between the two computers using the file sharing settings.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Connecting the Computer

Step 1. Check whether both computers have ethernet ports or not

An ethernet port is a large rectangular port that usually has a three-box icon next to it. The Ethernet port is usually on one side of the computer case (on laptops) or on the back of the case (for desktops).

On iMac computers, the Ethernet port is on the back of the monitor

Step 2. Purchase an ethernet adapter if necessary

If your computer doesn't have an Ethernet port, purchase a USB Ethernet adapter. You can buy it on the internet (eg Bukalapak) or at a computer store.

If you are using a Mac, also check the USB port on the computer. Maybe your computer only has USB-C ports (for example, an oval port, not a square one). This means you'll also need an Ethernet to USB-C adapter or a USB to USB-C adapter

Step 3. Check if you have a crossover ethernet cable

Although most Ethernet ports support both conventional and crossover Ethernet cables, you can avoid possible errors by using a crossover Ethernet cable. To see if your cable is crossover or not, look at the colorful wires at the ends:

• If the color arrangement of the wires at the two ends is different, you have a crossover cable.
• If the color of the wires at both ends is the same from left to right, you have a conventional cable. This cable will work with most computers, but if you want to connect two older computers, we recommend using a crossover cable to avoid problems.

Step 4. Plug one end of the ethernet cable into one of the computers

The ethernet cable head will snap into the computer's ethernet port with the lever facing downwards.

If you are using an ethernet adapter, plug the USB end of the adapter into one of the USB ports on the computer that you are not using

Step 5. Plug the other end of the ethernet cable into the second computer

The other end of the Ethernet cable must be plugged into the Ethernet port on the second computer.

Again, if you are using an ethernet adapter for a second computer, first plug in the adapter

Part 2 of 3: Using File Sharing on Windows Computers

Step 1. Open Control Panel

Click Start

in the lower left corner, type control panel, then click Control Panel shown at the top of the menu.

Step 2. Click Network and Internet

It's in the middle of the Control Panel window.

Skip this step if it says "Small icons" or "Large icons" next to the "View" heading in the upper-right corner

Step 3. Click Network and Sharing Center

This link is at the top of the window.

If the Control Panel uses the " Small icons " or " Large icons " view, the options Network and Sharing Center is on the right side of the page.

Step 4. Click on Advanced sharing settings

This link is located at the top left of the window.

Step 5. Check the "Turn on file and printer sharing" box

It's in the "File and printer sharing" section of the menu.

Step 6. Click Save changes located at the bottom of the window

Your changes will be saved, and the file sharing option on your computer will be enabled.

Step 7. Share the folder

To allow connected computers to view and edit the contents of the shared folder, do the following:

• Open the folder you want to share.
• Click tab Share.
• Click entry Specific people….
• Click the down arrow in the drop-down box, then click Everyone in the drop-down menu that appears.
• Click Share, then click Done when requested.

Step 8. Access the shared folder

If you want to see shared folders on your PC, you can do this through File Explorer:

• Make sure you've shared the folder from the connected Windows or Mac computer.

• open File Explorer

  

• Click another computer name in the left sidebar.
• Type in the other computer's password when prompted.
• Open the shared folder to view its contents.

Part 3 of 3: Using File Sharing on Mac Computers

Step 1. Open Apple menu

Do this by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner. A drop-down menu will be displayed.

Step 2. Click System Preferences…

This option is in the drop-down menu. The System Preferences window will open.

Step 3. Click Sharing in the System Preferences window

The Sharing window will open.

Step 4. Check the "File Sharing" box

The box is on the left side of the Sharing window.

Step 5. Change “Everyone” permission

Click the icon to the right of the " Everyone " heading, then click Options Read & Write in the menu that appears. With this setting, the connected computer can view and edit the content in the shared folder.

Step 6. Share the folder

Do any of the following to share a folder from your Mac to a connected computer:

• Click ＋ which is below the list of shared folders in the Sharing window.
• Find the folder you want to share.
• Select the folder by clicking on it once.
• Click Add to add the folder to the list of shared folders.

Step 7. Access the shared folder

If you want to see shared folders on your Mac, you can do this through the Finder:

• Make sure you have shared the folder from the connected Windows or Mac computer.

• open Finder

  

• Click another computer's name in the left-hand column of options in the Finder window.
• Type in the other computer's password when prompted.
• Open the shared folder to view its contents.

Tips

You can also share the internet from a Windows computer or from a Mac if both computers are connected with an ethernet cable