A “bridging” cable is a specific kind of USB cable that can be used to connect two PCs having USB ports to one another. Technically, you can also use USB to link two Macs, but you’ll need to use an Ethernet cable and a USB-to-Ethernet converter. After the PCs are linked together, file transfers between them are swift and easy.
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Let us understand how it is done.
Using USB to Connect Two Computers
Get a bridging cable that connects USB to USB. There are various types of USB-to-USB cables; therefore, it’s crucial to use the correct one. A “bridging cable,” also known as a “USB data transfer cable,” “USB networking cable,” or “USB link cable,” is the only USB-to-USB wire that should be utilized for linking two PCs. The right cord has male USB connectors on both ends and an electronic circuit in the middle (you can see the bulge). Additionally, if your cable uses a chip like the CP2102, be sure to install the appropriate CP2102 driver on both computers to ensure proper data communication and device recognition.
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Install the program
Install the program on both PCs. Before connecting the cord to the PCs, do this. Most likely, the cable included a software-containing CD or DVD. Insert the DVD and launch the installer once it appears on the screen. If it fails to start up automatically, open the File Explorer by pressing ⊞ Win+E, and then find your CD or DVD ROM drive on the left part of the screen. Double-click the “installer” or “setup” file.
If the cable does not include software, visit the manufacturer’s website and search for a section titled “Software” or “Drivers.” Install the software that was created especially for your cable. Perform this task on both PCs.
If you are able to choose a “mode,” go with “link” mode (also known as “bridge” or “transfer” mode).
Connect the USB cable’s
Connect the USB cable’s two ends to a USB port on every PC. Avoid extending the cable too far. If the wire must be pulled tight to link the computers, position them closer together to avoid damaging the cable.
Start the transfer software
On both PCs, start the transfer software. The software should have a Start menu entry regardless of how it was installed. Go to “All Programs” or “All Apps,” click “Start,” and then pick the program from the menu. From this point on, you may do anything from a single computer, eliminating the need to constantly jump between machines to transfer files.
Browse the files
Browse the files on one machine from another. Notice that the software resembles a file manager with two separate windows (labelled “local” and “remote”), one for each PC. The files on the computer you are using at the moment are shown in the Local window, while the files on the other computer are shown in the Remote window.
Transfer files
Transfer files. If you want to copy a file from another machine to the one you’re currently using, drag it from the Remote one to the Local window. In the same manner, you will be able to drag items from your local machine to the distant computer.
Now, let’s explore how to connect two Macs.
Using USB to Link Two Macs
Assemble the required accessories. Technically speaking, Macs cannot be connected to one another using a USB cable; the only way to get a USB-to-USB connectivity on a Mac is to link a cable from the USB port of one computer to the Ethernet port of the other.
- The USB-to-Ethernet adapter is a universal connector, so you don’t need to purchase one designed especially for Apple devices. The adapter contains a female RJ-45 socket for the Ethernet cable on one end and a male USB connector on the other.
- Ethernet 10/100BASE-T cable: This basic cable is available at any tech store and features RJ-45 connectors on both ends.
Attach the USB adapter to Computer 1’s USB port. In the event that just one device has an Ethernet port, connect the USB adapter to that machine. If not, it makes no difference which one you connect first.
Connect the Ethernet cable’s other end to Computer 2’s RJ-45 connector. Your computer’s back or side is probably where this port is located.
Insert the opposite end of the Ethernet cable (from Computer 2) into the USB adapter. The wiring is finished.
Open the Sharing preferences
On both PCs, open the Sharing preferences. Go to the Apple menu on each computer, select “System Preferences,” and then “Sharing.” When the Sharing settings appear on the screen, you will also see the name of the machine you are using.
Connect one computer to the other using Finder. The device that you use to start this process is irrelevant. Open Finder on one computer, choose “Go,” and then “Connect to server.” To view a list of potential computers to connect to, click “Browse.” Double-click the second computer’s name when it appears in the results, and then, if prompted, enter your password.
Transfer files from one machine to another. A list of the files from the first computer on the second machine should now be visible to you. In this Finder window, drag and drop files across computers.
Conclusion
Connecting two computers, whether PCs or Macs, for file sharing can be done efficiently with the right cables and software. Macs use an Ethernet cable and a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, while PCs need a USB bridging cable and specialized transfer software. This is a workable way to share data directly between computers because file transfers are quick and easy once connected.