Question: I need to move a large file from one laptop to another. Can I just join the two machines with an ethernet cable and create a shared folder on my desktop or is it more complicated than that?

**Update**

Windows versions - one laptop has XP the other is Vista  

File Size - approx 10G

Answer: 
Yes, you can join both PCs with a network cable and copy the file. 

To do this you must set up the network, and your file shares. 

* Plug each end of the crossover cable into a network port on the back of each computer.
* Open Network and Sharing Center (Start, Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center)

In the network map at the top of Network and Sharing Center, double-click the Unidentified network‍ icon.

* In Network, click the Information bar containing the following message:

> 
> Network discovery and file sharing are turned off.   
> 
>  Network computers and devices are not visible. Click to change...
> 
> 
> 

and then click Turn on network discovery and file sharing. 

Do this on both computers. With any luck, this is all the network set up you will need to do. 

---

On the PC with the file, do Properties/Sharing/Share as you mentioned in a comment. 

As [r0ca](https://superuser.com/questions/104825/moving-large-files-between-windows-machines/104830#104830) says, the PC that wants the file can then connect with

```
\\name-of-pc-with-the-file\name-of-network-share

```
When copying large files do NOT use windows explorer. Start a command prompt and use the copy/xcopy command.