How to Connect a Laptop to a Desktop Computer Using a USB Cable

Connecting a laptop to a desktop computer will let you transfer data files between computers and share a single Internet connection, printer and other peripherals. A special type of USB cable is required for this connection to work. Get the cable, then follow these steps to hook up a PC to a laptop.

Things You'll Need

• Desktop computer
• Laptop computer
• Bridged or Networking USB cable

Instructions

1. Log off and shut down both computers.

2. Connect one end of the bridged USB cable to a free port on the laptop computer and plug the other end into a free USB port on the desktop computer. USB ports are typically located on the side and back edge of a laptop and on the front and back of the desktop.

3. Power up both computers and wait for the "New Hardware Detected" message to appear on each screen. You can now use both computers to transfer data back and forth.

4. Turn the line switch in the USB cable to Link Mode to transfer data between the desktop and laptop.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use a standard USB cable to connect computers. It will not work and may cause electrical surges that could damage the ports and possibly internal electronics on both computers.

References

• Computer Connections With Bridged USB Cable
• USB Cable Computer Networking