How to speed up file transfers in Windows
The built-in file transfer system in Windows can be quite slow, as anyone who uses networked hard drives or moves large media files knows from painful experience. TeraCopy is a great, easy to use app that optimizes transfer speed while avoiding other pitfalls of Windows Explorer.
Rob Lightner
Rob Lightner is a tech and gaming writer based in Seattle. He has reviewed games, gadgets, and technical manuals, written copy for space travel gear, and composed horoscopes for cats.
- To get started with TeraCopy, download and install it from here.
- While you can drag and drop files into TeraCopy, I prefer to right-click files and folders from within Windows Explorer and select TeraCopy... from the context menu.
Step 2: Right-click and select TeraCopy. - This opens TeraCopy in a new window. Click the Copy icon in the top center to switch between copying and moving files.
- Select Browse... to choose a destination or choose from your recently used places.
Step 4: Select destination. - Once you do, TeraCopy starts the transfer.
From the transfer window, you can click Always Ask to choose file replacement options. I stick with the default, but your needs may be better served with a different option.
Step 5: Transfer files. - Click one of the icons in the upper right to choose what TeraCopy does after finishing the transfer: Shut down entirely, eject the drive you're using, test the files, and/or simply close the window.
- TeraCopy defaults to always being on top, which I find annoying, but easily remedied. Just click Menu at the bottom right, then deselect Always On Top.
- From that same Menu button, you can access TeraCopy Preferences. Most of these are fine set to default, but again, your needs may be different.
Step 8: Set Preferences.
That's it! One of the great stealth features is that file transfers aren't aborted if there's an error, so you don't have to keep an eye on the process if you don't want to.
Thanks to MakeUseOf for the link!