How to Send a Large File for Free

Email isn't always conducive to sending large files to your friends, family or colleagues. In fact, most Web-based email services have an attachment and received-file limit of 25 MB; while this is reasonable for sharing small or medium-sized pictures, documents, spreadsheets and even a handful of audio files, it is too small a limit for sharing video. Luckily, websites like YouSendIt, MegaShare and RapidShare allow you to upload and share large files, within a certain limit.

Instructions

YouSendIt

1. Load the YouSendIt website in your browser. YouSendIt not only allows you to upload your files, but also sends the link to your recipients in the form of an email. The maximum upload for a free user is 100 MB.

2. Enter your email address in the "From" text box. This will tell your recipient who sent the file, so that he can open it with confidence that it's not a virus.

3. Enter the email address for your recipient. You can specify multiple recipients by separating different email addresses with a comma.

4. Click "Select File" to choose your file to upload. Free users can only send one file at a time.

5. Click on "Subject" and "Message," if you would like to include either a subject or a message for the email. These are both optional features.

6. Click the "Send It" button to start and send your upload. The screen will display your upload progress; do not close the browser while your upload is taking place.

MegaShare

1. Point your browser to the MegaShare website. (See Resources.) MegaShare has a cap of 1 GB per uploaded file.

2. Click the "Browse" button to select the file that you wish to upload. You can also upload files from your cell phone, from a URL or via FTP; you can change your method by selecting it from above the browse button.

3. Enter a password for your file, if you choose to have one. A password is not necessary, but will allow you some measure of control over who may try to access your upload.

4. Click the "Upload Your File" button. A pop-up will appear telling you the progress, the elapsed and estimated times for the upload, and the approximate speed of the upload. Do not close this window until the upload is complete.

RapidShare

1. Go to the RapidShare website in your preferred browser. The maximum upload size for RapidShare is 500 MB.

2. Click the "Upload Files Here" button; this appears on the top half of the screen, and is toward the middle.

3. Choose the file that you wish to upload in the dialog box that pops up, and click "OK."

4. Wait while your download completes. A panel will appear in the lower half of the screen, showing your file, the average upload speed and the amount of time left in your upload.

Tips & Warnings

• If your browser uses a NoScript add-on, you will need to at least temporarily allow your website of choice script access in order to run all the necessary features.

• Sharing copyrighted material without permission is illegal.

References

• MegaShare: FAQ
• RapidShare: FAQ
• YouSendIt: Complare Plans

Resources

• YouSendIt
• MegaShare
• RapidShare