Answered: What Are the Remote Desktop File Transfer Limits

By Ellie / Last Updated September 26, 2023

Are there limits to transfer files via Remote Desktop?

“What are the Remote Desktop file transfer limits? Is there a limitation on how large files I can copy and paste via RDP (Remote Desktop) in Windows? Is it possible to copy-paste e.g 4 GB files through RDP? Any other limitations?”

Remote Desktop file transfer limits

There are some RDP file transfer limits you should be aware of if you are attempting to transfer files between two computers via Remote Desktop. The following are the three main constraints:

✍Size limit. RDP allows you to copy and paste files up to 2 GB in size from a remote desktop to your local computer. For larger files that cannot be copied and pasted, you must enable drive syncing, which allows you to use any drive from a local computer on a remote desktop.
✍Speed limit. RDP file transfer is relatively slow. RDP protocol uses a lot of its bandwidth for screen data and instruction transfer. It is not designed for file transfer originally. This is the primary reason why it is slow.
✍Network limit. If the two computers are on different networks, then you are not able to connect them directly. Instead, you need to set up port forwarding or VPN to use RDP and then transfer files.

How to configure Remote Desktop to transfer files

Supposing the two computers are on the same network, let’s see how to configure Remote Desktop to transfer files. Please ensure that remote access is enabled on your host computer before using this tool.

Step 1. On the client laptop, search for Remote Desktop Connection in the Search box. And then open it.

Step 2. On the main interface of Remote Desktop Connection, go to the Local Resources tab, and check the Clipboard. Then click More.

Step 3. On the Local Devices and Resources interface, check the Drives and click OK.

Step 4. Go back to the General tab. Enter the IP address and user name in the Remote Desktop Connection interface to achieve connection.

Option 1. Remote Desktop copy and paste files smaller than 2 GB

Step 1. On the remote desktop, choose the folder that you want to copy to your local computer with your mouse, and press Ctrl + C to copy files.

Step 2. Go to your local desktop, and press Ctrl + V to paste the copied folder. This is how to copy-paste folders from the remote desktop to the local desktop.

Option 2. Remote Desktop transfer files larger than 2 GB

Step 1. Within the Remote Desktop Connection session, the local drives that you have chosen before will appear in Windows Explorer of the remote computer:

Step 2. Run PowerShell inside of your RDP session, and run a simple net use command. You will see the redirected drives appear.

Step 3. Run a simple net use \tsclientto map these drives in a true sense to a network drive letter.

Step 4. Now if you look in Windows Explorer, you will see a true network drive mapped under your Network Locations section. If you copy files to the mapped drive on the remote computer, you can find the files in the same drive on your local computer.

Bonus tip: Best Remote Desktop file transfer alternative

If you can’t stand the Remote Desktop file transfer size limit, speed limit, and network limit, you can transfer large files between Windows machines using AnyViewer. It has the following advantages:

Fast speed. It allows you to transfer a batch of files at a really fast speed. For example, it only costs about 20 seconds to transfer a 2 GB zip file from the local to the remote computer.

Simple setup. It can be used without any special configuration even if the two computers are on different networks.

Step 1. Download, install, and launch AnyViewer on both Windows computers. If your version is lower, please upgrade first.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7

Secure Download

Step 2. On the Controller computer, go to Log in, and then click Sign up. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)

Step 3. Fill in the signup information.

Step 4. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you’ve logged in to.

Step 5. Choose your target computer, and then click File Transfer.

Tips: You can also click One-click control to achieve unattended remote access to your office computer. Then you can completely control it just like you’re sitting in front of it. After the connection is successful, you can also click the Files button in the menu bar to transfer files.

Step 6. Then a File Transfer dialog box will appear. The path of the Controller computer is shown on the left of the box, and the path of the Recipient computer is shown on the right. You’re able to transfer files between devices freely by clicking the arrows after choosing the target files.

Step 7. You can see the transfer status at the bottom of the File Transfer dialog box. Right-click to pause or remove the transfer task. The dialog can be closed when the transfer is complete.

Notes:✎...
It is highly recommended to upgrade your account to a professional or enterprise plan. Here are what a professional or enterprise plan can bring to you:: Faster file transfer speed. Transfer speed for a free account is 500 KB/s, and for a paid account is up to 10 MB/s.; Increasing number of files transferred in a single time. The maximum number of files that can be transferred per time for a free account is 100.; Larger size of a single file that can be transferred. The maximum size of a single file that can be transferred for the free account is 100 MB.; More devices can be assigned to the same account for unattended remote access.; More Currently connected devices are displayed for management.; Connect in privacy mode to protect privacy.

Conclusion

Aretherelimitsto transfer files via Remote Desktop? This post primarily uncovers the Remote Desktop file transfer limits. Besides, we also introduce the best RDP alternative AnyViewer to help you transfer files between computers. If you’re interested, try it right now