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Remote Desktop Copy Files: Explore Methods and Step-by-Step Process

Editorial Team Editorial Team Apr 24, 2025

Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) gives users the ability to remotely view and operate a Windows desktop. And often it is required to reliably and quickly copy files to a remote desktop from a local machine. Microsoft has developed this functionality a long time ago, so connecting external hard drives to the remote desktop to transfer files can be accomplished with RDC in a matter of minutes.

If you’re using RDC and want to know how to copy files from remote desktop PCs, you will need to properly configure your RDC setup.

To simplify the process of transferring files between a local and remote machine, you can use a third-party solution, such as HelpWire. It allows you to transfer files directly to a remote computer without requiring a file hosting service or intermediate storage. Simply drag and drop files into your remote session window and start sending files effortlessly.

Contents

  1. How to Copy Files to Remote Desktop
  2. How to Transfer Files Using HelpWire Remote Desktop Software
  3. Conclusion

How to Copy Files to Remote Desktop

Whether you want to transfer a large set of data or a small batch of documents, you can use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to access and manage files on remote computers. This simplifies the workflow and offers greater convenience in file transfers.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to configure Remote Desktop to transfer files remotely and some of the best file transfer methods to ensure everything goes smoothly.

How to Configure Remote Desktop

Let’s talk about how to correctly set up your Remote Desktop before exploring file transfer techniques. Configuring the settings properly allows you to securely and effortlessly perform remote desktop file sharing between remote and local systems.

Step 1: Expand Settings in Remote Desktop

  • Inside Remote Desktop settings, find Show Options. Click on it to expand advanced settings.
  • In the Computer field, input your server’s IP address.

Step 2: Modify Local Resource Settings

  • Go to the tab Local Resources.
  • Under Local devices and resources, click on More.

Step 3: Turn on Drive Redirection

  • Expand Drives.
  • You will find a box next to Local Disk (C:). Check the box or any other applicable drive.
  • Go back to the main settings by clicking on OK.

Step 4: Set up the Connection

  • Initiate the Remote Desktop session by clicking on Connect.

Navigate to the General tab and hit Save to store your configuration as an RDP file.

How to Access Files on a Remote System

Here are the steps you must follow for copying files over remote desktops and accessing them after you’re done connecting to the server.

  1. Use the given IP address to log in to the remote server.
  2. Launch File Explorer.
  3. From the left panel, click on This PC or Computer.
  4. Access local files by locating and opening C on your workstation.

Note: The workstation’s name (e.g., WINDOWS10) is for your local computer.

Methods to Copy Files in Remote Desktop

When you have a remote workforce and many remote systems to manage, you will need an efficient way to access or transfer files between local and remote machines.

Windows Remote Desktop provides you with several ways to transfer files between local and remote machines. You can do it via simple drag-and-drop, secure bulk file transfers, or fast copy-and-paste. But, choosing what works best for your needs is important if you want to ensure better efficiency and workflow during file transfers.

Let’s talk about various techniques to copy files from remote desktop to local one, their advantages and limitations, and step-by-step instructions for each.

File Transfer via Copy-Paste Method

Best for: If you are looking for a quick way to transfer small files, copy-paste is the best option.
Supports: Windows Server and Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

Overview


In the copy-paste method, you can copy files over RDP and share from one computer and paste them into another computer in an ongoing session.

icon pros Pros:

  • Effortless and fast file transfer method
  • Requires no additional setups.
  • Compatible with common file types, such as text and images.

icon cons Cons:

  • Limited support for transferring large files.
  • Clipboard restrictions may lead to file transfer failures.
  • Needs you to turn on clipboard sharing.
Steps to Transfer Files via Copy-Paste:

Here are the steps to copy from remote desktop to local:

  1. On your local computer, launch RDC.
  2. Go to Show Options > Local Resources > Clipboard. Turn on clipboard sharing.
  3. Connect to the remote desktop.
  4. Copy the file(s) you want to share by pressing Ctrl + C on your Windows computer.
  5. Paste the file onto the local or remote computer by pressing Ctrl + V.

File Transfer through Drag-and-Drop

Best for: The drag-and-drop method of file transfer is straightforward and intuitive for users.
Compatible with: Windows 10 and 11.

Overview

The drag-and-drop technique is a visual way of transferring files. During an ongoing Remote Desktop session, you will need to drag files you want to share from one computer and then drop them onto another.

icon pros Pros:

  • Visually intuitive and user-friendly for all users
  • Supports several file types

icon cons Cons:

  • Doesn’t support all RDP clients
  • System permissions could restrict the file transfer
Steps to Use Drag-and-Drop for File Transfers:

Follow these steps to transfer files using the drag-and-drop method:

  1. Before you establish the connection, turn on the clipboard and drive sharing in RDC.
  2. Initiate a Remote Desktop session.
  3. Choose a file on the source computer (remote or local system) and drag it.
  4. Now, drop the file onto the destination computer to transfer the file.

File Transfer via Drive Sharing in Remote Desktop

Best for: Transferring large files or completing data exchange in bulk.
Supports: Windows Server and Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

Overview

To transfer data smoothly, you will need to share your entire drive between a local and remote system.

icon pros Pros:

  • Direct and easy access to several files and folders
  • Allows you to perform bulk file transfers

icon cons Cons:

  • Before establishing a connection, you need to do a manual setup.
  • Configuration errors could expose sensitive data.
Steps to Use Drive Sharing for File Transfers:

Follow these steps to share drives and transfer files via Remote Desktop:

  1. On your local computer, open RDC.
  2. Navigate to Show Options > Local Resources > More.
  3. Select the drive(s) on your local computer that you want to share. It will be under Drives.
  4. Establish connection to the remote system computer.
  5. On the remote computer, open File Explorer. All the shared drives will appear under This PC.
  6. Copy files and paste them between a local and a remote computer.
To learn more, watch the step-by-step tutorial
File Transfers

Transfer Files through SFTP, FTP, or SMB

Best for: This option is best if you’re looking for structured and secure file transfers.
Supports: All Windows versions that offer support for SFTP/FTP.

Overview

You can securely send files to remote desktops through File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), or Server Message Block (SMB).

icon pros Pros:

  • File transfers are more secure compared to standard RDP.
  • Lets you transfer large files.

icon cons Cons:

  • SMB or FTP server configuration is required.
  • Needs extra setups.
Steps to Transfer Files (Example: SFTP)

You can transfer files from a local computer to a remote computer and vice versa via FTP, SFTP, and SMB. Let’s understand how this works via SFTP.

  1. On the remote computer, install an SFTP server (e.g., OpenSSH).
  2. On the local computer, use an SFTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
  3. Establish a connection between the remote and local computer using your IP address, username, and password.
  4. Drag a file from one computer and drop it onto another to transfer files easily.
Related Articles

How to Transfer Files Using HelpWire Remote Desktop Software

HelpWire offers an affordable, secure, and user-friendly remote desktop solution for IT professionals. It lets you transfer files over RDP in an ongoing remote session easily using various methods:

  • Clipboard-based copy-paste
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Smart right-click options

To see HelpWire in Action, watch this:
HelpWire tutorial

Steps to Use HelpWire for File Transfers

Let’s understand how to transfer files with remote desktop between a local and a remote computer.

1. File Transfer via Copy-Paste

The copy-paste option is a faster and easiest way to transfer files between local and remote machines. First, you need to copy the file from the remote desktop to the local machine to transfer the file.

Steps:

  • Find the file you wish to send on your local computer. Right-click on the file and choose "Copy".
  • On the remote machine, go to the destination folder.
  • Right-click on the folder and choose "Paste".
  • You can monitor how the file transfer happens on the destination computer.

2. File Transfer via Drag-and-Drop

HelpWire offers the drag-and-drop method to simplify the file transfer process between a remote and local computer.

Steps:

Let’s understand how to transfer files to remote desktops with the drag-and-drop method:

  1. On your local computer, choose one or multiple files that you wish to share.
  2. Drag the chosen files from the source.
  3. Drop the files into the open HelpWire window. This will initiate the file transfer process.
  4. In the destination folder, right-click and select "Paste" to confirm the transfer.

Note: The drag-and-drop file transfer method works from a local PC to the client’s computer only.

3. Quick File Transfer Using Keyboard Shortcuts

HelpWire supports standard copy-paste shortcuts to speed up file movements.

  • Mac: Cmd + C (to copy a file) and Cmd + V (to paste the file).
  • Windows: Ctrl + C (to copy a file) and Ctrl + V (to paste the file).

Conclusion

Transferring files via Remote Desktop is simple with built-in RDP features like copy-paste, drive sharing, and drag-and-drop. RDP also supports secure transfers through FTP and SFTP.

For an even easier experience, try third-party tools like HelpWire. It simplifies file transfers with drag-and-drop, clipboard copy-paste, and right-click options—no complex setup needed.

Whether you're a casual user or an IT pro, HelpWire makes remote file access fast and hassle-free.