Transfer Files Over Remote Desktop On Windows

Start On Your Home Network

1. Install the stable Windows app on both PCs. Both need Windows 10 or 11 and APE Viewer 0.6.0 or later; use the current stable version on both.
2. On the desktop you want to reach, sign in and turn sharing on under Hosting. Keep it on and awake.
3. On the laptop, sign in with the same free account. In Your PCs, choose the desktop, select one screen and connect.

For this first connection, put both PCs on the same home network. Free includes one shared PC and one screen at a time, with switching and no session time limit. You do not need a Premium trial or a card for these steps.

The Windows installer is not code-signed yet. Read the Windows installation help if Windows shows a protected-PC message. For a Home-edition desktop, the Windows 11 Home guide explains the setup.

Drop It On The Stream Window

1. On your laptop, choose one small file to try first, such as a text document.
2. Drag it from File Explorer and drop it onto the APE Viewer stream window showing the desktop.
3. Watch the transfer progress at the bottom right. On the receiving desktop, open Downloads\APE Viewer and check the file.

You can drop folders too. To choose files with a picker instead, open Files → Send files… on the stream toolbar. That picker sends files; use drag and drop for a folder. Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M if the toolbar is hidden.

Choose What To Bring To Your Laptop

1. On the laptop's stream toolbar, open Files → Get files from, followed by the desktop's name.
2. Choose Desktop, Documents or Downloads. Open folders and tick the files or folders you want.
3. Choose Get. When the transfer finishes, open Downloads\APE Viewer on your laptop.

The receiving PC uses its own Downloads folder in either direction. If a name is already taken, the new file gets a number such as (2).

File Transfer Has Its Own Permission

Your other devices signed in to your account can transfer files. For another person, the PC owner must enable Files in that person's row under Hosting → People & permissions. The files button beside them in Connected now also changes the current session.

Full control does not turn file transfer on. People restricted to Only some apps cannot transfer files. If the file controls are unavailable, check those settings with the owner rather than assuming that screen control includes file access. See the permission settings.

Check The Result Before Moving More Files

One transfer can contain up to 10 GB and 10,000 files. Transfers slow down when the video needs the bandwidth.

The progress display has a Cancel button. Windows marks received files as downloaded from the internet, so treat them like other downloads. If a transfer fails, check the error, the receiving folder and the file-transfer help before trying again.

Need help? Report the problem with both app versions, the direction of transfer and the error shown. Leave the files' contents, passwords and sign-in codes out of the report.