PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe most reliable way to move files between a Windows 11 PC and a remote Windows session is drive redirection in the built-in Remote Desktop Connection client. You select the local drive before you connect, and the remote PC then shows that drive in File Explorer, where you can copy files in either direction. Clipboard copy and paste is a second option for small, occasional transfers, but it depends on client settings and administrator policy and does not work the same way in every client. This guide covers both methods, the browser-based Windows App limits that often trip people up, and what to do when your organization blocks transfers.
What you need before you start
- The remote PC must run Windows Pro. Microsoft Support states, “The PC you want to connect to (the remote PC) must be running Windows Pro edition of Windows.” The computer you connect from can run any Windows edition, including Windows 11 Home.
- Remote access must already be enabled on the remote PC, and you need a user account that is allowed to sign in to it remotely.
- Your device must be able to reach the remote PC, either on the same network or through whatever connection route your organization provides.
Method 1: Redirect a local drive (recommended for file browsing)
Drive redirection makes a folder or drive from your local computer appear inside the remote session. It is the method to use when you need to browse several files, move larger files, or transfer files more than once. The redirection setting must be configured before you connect; changing it on an open session is not enough.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Steps in Remote Desktop Connection
- Open Remote Desktop Connection from the Start menu or by searching the taskbar for it.
- Enter the name or IP address of the remote PC. Before connecting, select Show Options.
- Open the Local Resources tab.
- In the Local devices and resources section, select More….
- In the dialog, expand Drives and check only the local drive or drives the transfer needs.
- Select OK, then Connect, and sign in to the remote PC.
- Inside the remote session, open File Explorer and look under This PC (or the network locations section) for the redirected drive.
- Copy files from the redirected drive to the remote computer’s own storage, or copy files from the remote computer to the redirected drive. Standard copy and paste or drag-and-drop works.
If the redirected drive does not appear, disconnect completely, confirm the drive is checked under More…, and reconnect. Settings chosen in an existing session do not change that session.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What redirection allows
Microsoft’s guidance describes a redirected local drive as accessible to the remote computer for both reads and writes. In practice, that means files you copy into the session can be changed or deleted there, and anything the remote user writes to that drive lands on your local disk. Keep the list of redirected drives as short as the task allows.
#1 Best Overall
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
Method 2: Copy and paste through the clipboard
Clipboard redirection lets you copy a file on one side and paste it on the other, which is faster than browsing for a few items. It is best for a small number of files sent occasionally. For repeated or large transfers, use drive redirection.
- In Remote Desktop Connection, select Show Options, open Local Resources, and confirm the clipboard option is selected under Local devices and resources.
- Connect to the remote PC.
- Select the file in File Explorer on one side, press Ctrl+C, then paste with Ctrl+V in a File Explorer window on the other side.
Clipboard transfer can be blocked by administrator policy even when the local setting is on. If pasting a file produces nothing, check policy before changing your own settings.
Rank #2
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
Do not confuse this with Windows clipboard history. The Win+V clipboard history feature has its own limits, documented by Microsoft Support as 4 MB per item and 25 entries. Those figures describe the general Windows clipboard, not the file-transfer behavior of a remote session, and turning clipboard history on or off does not change Remote Desktop clipboard redirection.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Windows App in a web browser
Windows App is Microsoft’s newer client, and its browser version handles file transfer differently from classic Remote Desktop Connection. Instead of a normal clipboard, copied files go through a file-transfer panel in the session. Microsoft Learn documents these limits for that browser workflow:
Rank #3
- What You Get - 2 pack 64GB genuine USB 2.0 flash drives, 12-month warranty and lifetime friendly customer service
- Great for All Ages and Purposes – the thumb drives are suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies and other files
- Easy to Use - Plug and play USB memory stick, no need to install any software. Support Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports
- Convenient Design - 360°metal swivel cap with matt surface and ring designed zip drive can protect USB connector, avoid to leave your fingerprint and easily attach to your key chain to avoid from losing and for easy carrying
- Brand Yourself - Brand the flash drive with your company's name and provide company's overview, policies, etc. to the newly joined employees or your customers
- Upload from your device to the remote session: 4 GB per file.
- Download from the remote session to your device: 4 GB total for clipboard-based file copies.
- Downloads above 256 MB: require Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Firefox can paste only one file at a time into the remote session.
These limits belong to the Windows App browser workflow. They do not apply to classic Remote Desktop Connection with redirected drives, and Microsoft’s pages do not show a publication date for these figures, so confirm them against the current Windows App release if a transfer depends on them.
Also note that on Windows, redirection settings cannot be changed inside the Windows App itself. Settings and available features differ between Windows App versions on different platforms, and an administrator can control whether drive redirection is available at all. In the documented setup, drive redirection is off by default.
Rank #4
- GOOD VALUE PACKAGE - 1 Pack 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives with great cost performance and high quality.
- BIG CAPACITY - The available capacity: 29.10GB-29.8GB, You can save the data of movies, music, photos, designs, programs, manuals, handouts in a high speed.Good performance in digital data storing, transferring and sharing with families, friends, workmates, clients and machines.
- EASY TO USE & PLUG AND WORK - Support windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, Compatible with USB2.0 and below.
- TWISTTURN DESIGN & EASY CARRY - The metal clip rotates 360° round the ABS plastic body which with rubber oil skin feeling finish. The capless design can avoid lossing of cap, and providing efficient protection to the USB port.
- WARRANTY & SUPPORT - SIMMAX logo is laser printed on the USB connector surface, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy.
Choosing the right method
| Method | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Redirect a local drive (Remote Desktop Connection) | Browsing several files, repeated transfers, and larger files in a classic Windows RDP session | The remote session gets read and write access to the redirected drive, and policy can block it. |
| Clipboard copy and paste | A few files sent occasionally, when the client and session support it | It must be enabled, policy can restrict it, and browser workflows have their own size limits. |
| Network share, mapped drive, or OneDrive | Situations where RDP redirection is unavailable, or files need to be available outside the remote session | Requires access rights and sometimes organizational approval; Microsoft recommends OneDrive for sharing over the Internet. |
Troubleshooting
- No redirected drive appears: Make sure the drive was checked under Show Options > Local Resources > More… before connecting, then disconnect and reconnect. Confirm that your organization allows drive redirection.
- Clipboard text works but files do not: File clipboard transfer depends on the client and platform and may be restricted by policy. Use drive redirection instead.
- Browser upload or download fails: Check the Windows App browser limits above, including the 256 MB rule that requires Edge or Chrome for downloads.
- A managed work session blocks transfer: Ask your administrator which direction, file types, and method are approved. A local setting cannot override a policy that restricts clipboard or drive redirection.
- A very large file will not copy through the clipboard: Use a redirected drive or an approved file-sharing route. Microsoft has documented an older clipboard problem with files larger than 2 GB on certain supported Windows Server versions and older RDP behavior. That is not a universal current limit, so if the clipboard fails on a large file, switch to drive redirection rather than assuming a specific cutoff.
Security considerations
Drive redirection is not just a transfer button. It exposes the selected local drive to the remote computer, so a compromised or untrusted remote host could read or change those files. Clipboard sharing passes copied content between the two devices as well. Keep the scope narrow: redirect only the drive a task needs, connect only to hosts you trust, and remove the redirection the next time you connect if the transfer is finished.
When redirection is blocked
If redirection is unavailable, Windows offers two alternatives that do not depend on the Remote Desktop session. On a local network, you can share a file or folder and map it as a network drive on both computers, provided you have permission to access it. For sharing over the Internet, Microsoft points users to OneDrive. In a workplace, either option may need approval from your IT team, so check before moving company files outside the session.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【16GB Flash Drive】USB flash drives with 16GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer. IMEASON thumb drives can be used to store different files, easy to data backup.
- 【Metal Swivel Cap Design】USB thumb drive is metal swivel cover provides extra protection for the usb thumbdrive connector, no usb drive cap to lose; keychain design makes it easier to carry without worrying lose it.
- 【Wide Compatibility】USB drive supports Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, also Supports USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports. USB Stick support TV, desktop, notebook computer, car, audio and other device. The USB Memory Stick is your great data storage and transfer companion with traveling and working.
- 【Easy to use】usb memory stick is plug and play without any software installation. Just simply plug the Flashdrive into the port of your USB-compatible devices such as computer, laptop to start data storage or transmission.
- 【What You Get】16 GB USB Flash Drive Thumb Drive, The default format of the usb storage flash drive is FAT32.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
