I’ve been doing this for years…
Whenever I want to get something (pictures, files, spreadsheets) from one computer to another, I just email ’em to myself. BUT… I don’t hit “send”.
Say what?.
Yep, the secret to fast file and photo transfers is NOT a thumb drive…
Instead, just use a web-based email program!
We’ve all got one. Most of us use more than one. (Think Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc.)
I do this all the time to get files from my laptop computer to my desktop computer or vice versa
How To Do It:
#1 From the computer where the file you want to transfer resides, simply start an email to yourself. (Actually, you don’t even have to type in an email address at all!)
#2 Then, attach as many files, photos, spreadsheets, etc. that you want to transfer to some other computer.
#3 When you’re done attaching all of the files, simply hit “Save as Draft”.
#4 When you get to the other computer where you also want those files to reside, open up that same web-based email program.
#5 Then, open the email message that you previously started and “Saved as Draft”. You will see all of your attachments at the bottom of the email.
#6 Finally, download or save those attachments to this computer.
Wah-lah… you’re done! Now, both computers have exact copies of the same documents, files, or photos.
I used to use a thumb drive to transfer files from my work comptuer to my home computer. But I quickly learned that it was much easier just to do this. Why? Because:
- There are no size (MB) limitations, since you’re not actually “sending” an email.
- There’s no need to fumble around with an extra gadget like a thumb drive.
- There are no worries about USB versions or compatibility issues.
- And the best reason: You don’t have to keep track of a thumb drive all the time.
Of course, if you use a desktop program for your email (like Outlook or Outlook Express), you could do the same thing. But you would actually have to SEND the email to yourself. That’s because the draft would only reside on the computer that you wrote and saved the email on.
…Reason # 182 why I love web-based email programs!
I like to help people find unique ways to do things in order to save time & money — so I write about “outside the box” ideas that most wouldn’t think of. As a lifelong dog owner, I often share my best tips for living with and training dogs. I worked in Higher Ed over 10 years before switching gears to pursue activities that I’m truly passionate about. I’ve worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo — to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
