[Tutorial] Access Computer PC files From Your Android Device Through Wi-Fi

1. Introduction:
You got a file in Windows PC and you intend to transfer it to your Android device.  The most common way is that we connect the device to system via USB cable. However there are alternatives such as the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Bluetooth is a very slow method when compared to USB and Wi-Fi. So let us take Wi-Fi as the medium. Now let me first tell you various advantages and disadvantages regarding USB when compared with WI-Fi:

Disadvantages of USB v/s Wi-Fi 
1. The phone should be near to the system = you being near the system too  ----  This is avoided. All you need that the PC and device to be connected to the Wi-FI network
2. Cluttering of wires  ----   Avoided
3. Drivers may have to be installed  ----  No drivers needs to be installed
4. In a whole way, its not very productive ----  Oh very productive

Advantages - the only one is that files transfer speed is high  ----  Yes. USB has a upper hand here. Wi-Fi transfer speed is low when compared. But the difference is just a few minutes. We can live with that

So excited to start using the Wi-Fi method? Then make sure you meet the requirements.
2. Requirements:
1. Wi-Fi router - PC should be connected to this either through LAN/ Wi-Fi

2. Install any third party file explorer like xplore , es file explorer etc  in your Android device (you can try other file explorers like FX File Explorer, Solid Explorer, Astro File manager). The methodology for other apps are quite similar. I will take ES File Explorer as example as I have found it to be simple and fast.

3. Windows PC with 2000/XP/Vista/7/8 (I have not tested in Windows 8 personally)

4. Administrative access for Windows PC

3. Steps:
Step 1. Install ES File Explorer

Step 2. Find IP Address, make static IP and find system name [optional]
i. Find your IP address - to do this follow the steps as below:

a. Start -> Run (or press Windows key + R)
b. Type "ncpa.cpl" (without quotes) and press enter
c. You will see the Network Connections now
d. Identify the one which is connected to the Wi-Fi router. It will be either the LAN adapter or Wireless adapter. In my case it is the Wireless adapter.
e. Double click on the connection
f. Click on details and here note down the IPv4 Address. Also make not of IPv4 Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS Server.



ii. If you are going by IP address method then it is better yet to make the IP address as static [thank you kjplasma for the tip].
An static IP address means that your system will be having the same IP address all the time and will not be changed anytime later by the router. To set static IP address:

a. Go to Network Connections
b. Double click on the connection
c. Click on properties
d. Double click on - Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and fill up the IP address as you have noted them down above.
e. Click on OK for all dialogue boxes.


iii. You can even make note of the system name by checking the properties of “My Computer”. To do this:

a. Go to Start - Right click on My Computer [Shortcut -> Windows + Pause/Break]
b. You can find the computer name under "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings"



If your going by this method then it is not necessary to note down or change the IP address. However I feel that tracking your system through IP address in ES File Explorer is much more efficient and fool proof. Either the system name or IP address its okay.
Step 3.a. Windows 2000 PC
i. Open ES File Explorer in your device

ii. On top right corner tap on "Local" - select LAN

iii. Tap on "New"

iv. Here you can either scan for your system or Click on Server

v. Here in server field type the IP address (that is IPv4 Address) or the system name

vi. Type in the Username and Password which you use to access your Windows PC

vii. Give a name under "Display as" for easy identification

viii. Tap on OK.

ix. Now you will see an laptop with globe icon. Tap on it and you will see all your files/folder of the system there.
Step 3.b. Windows XP PC:
i. Firstly you will need to enable Guest account by going to Control Panel – User Accounts – Guest Account – Click on "Turn on Guest account". This is because there is no other way I found to access the files in Windows XP in Android device with actual user name and password.

ii. Share the drives or folder you want to access [Refer the Reference Note 1 below to know how to share a folder]

iii. Open ES File Explorer in your device

iv. On top right corner tap on "Local" - select LAN

v. Tap on "New"

vi. Here you can either scan for your system or Click on Server

vii. Here in server field type the IP address (that is IPv4 Address) or the system name

viii. Type in the Username and Password which you use to access your Windows PC

ix. Give a name under "Display as" for easy identification

x. Tap on OK.

xi. Now you will see an laptop with globe icon. Tap on it and you will see all your shared files/folder of the system there.
Step 3.c. Windows Vista/7/8 PC:
i. Share the drives or folder you want to access [Refer the Reference Note 1 below to know how to share a folder]

ii. Open ES File Explorer in your device

iii. On top right corner tap on "Local" - select LAN

iv. Tap on "New"

v. Here you can either scan for your system or Click on Server

vi. Here in server field type the IP address (that is IPv4 Address) or the system name

vii. Type in the Username and Password which you use to access your Windows PC

viii. Give a name under "Display as" for easy identification

ix. Tap on OK.

x. Now you will see an laptop with globe icon. Tap on it and you will see all your shared files/folder of the system there.

Note: If you are using blank password for logging into windows then follow the steps below:
a. Run - gpedit.msc to access Group Policies
b. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options
c. Find -> Account: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only
d. Double click on it and select "disable"

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