How to Connect a Laptop to a PC Via Ethernet Cable

You can create a local network between computers using an Ethernet cable.

If you need to transfer data between two PC computers, one of the easiest ways is to set up file sharing and then use an Ethernet cable to connect the two machines. For example, you could share files from a laptop computer with another PC over an Ethernet connection. Linking computers with an Ethernet cable essentially creates a small local network for the two machines to communicate with each other.

Things You'll Need

• PC desktop and laptop running Windows XP or later
• Ethernet cable

Instructions

1. Log in to the laptop computer with an account that has administrative privileges. Only administrators can adjust file sharing settings.

2. Open the Start menu and click on the "Control Panel" icon.

3. Double-click on "Network Connections."

4. Right-click on the icon labeled "Local Area Connection" and select "Properties."

5. Check the box next to "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" and hit "OK" to enable file sharing on the laptop computer.

6. Plug a standard Ethernet cable into the network port on the laptop and then connect it to the network port on the desktop PC.

7. Open the Start menu on the desktop PC and click on the "My Computer" icon.

8. Click on the "My Network Places" shortcut on the left side of the window. A new window will open with a list of the shared files and folders available on the laptop's hard drive.

References

• Wellesley College: How to Set Up File Sharing in Windows XP Pro
• US Robotics: How Do I Connect Computers With Ethernet Cable?