When it comes to moving or copying files in Windows 10 and 11, the process can feel a bit slow and tedious, especially if you’re dealing with large file sizes. Luckily, there are some tips and tricks you can use to speed up the process and get your files transferred more quickly. Here are some ways to copy files faster in Windows 10 and 11.

1. Turn off Windows Search

Windows Search is a feature that can slow down the file transfer process because it indexes files in the background while you’re copying them. To turn it off, follow these steps:

1. Type “services” into the Windows search bar and click on the “Services” app.

2. Scroll down until you find “Windows Search” and right-click on it.

3. Click on “Properties” and change the “Startup type” to “Disabled.”

4. Click on “Stop” to stop the service immediately.

2. Use a Faster Storage Device

The speed of your storage device can also affect file copy speeds. If you’re copying files to or from a slow external hard drive or USB drive, the transfer speeds will be slower. Consider upgrading to a faster external drive or using an internal SSD for faster transfer speeds.

3. Use the Command Prompt

Using the Command Prompt instead of the file explorer can often speed up the file transfer process. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt.”

2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator.”

3. Type “robocopy [source] [destination] /b /mir /np /ndl /njh /njs” and press Enter.

This command will copy your files using Robocopy, which is a command-line tool that can be faster than the typical file explorer method. The various switches in the command tell Robocopy to copy files in “mirror” mode, not show the file names, and not use the Job Header or Summary.

4. Use TeraCopy

Another option is to use a third-party file copier like TeraCopy. TeraCopy is designed to copy files faster and more securely than the default file explorer. To use TeraCopy, follow these steps:

1. Download and install TeraCopy from their website.

2. Right-click on the file or folder you want to copy and select “TeraCopy” from the context menu.

3. TeraCopy will open and allow you to select the destination folder and settings.

TeraCopy can be faster than the default file explorer method because it uses asynchronous copying, which means it can perform multiple operations at the same time.

5. Adjust Network Settings

If you’re copying files over a network, adjusting your network settings can sometimes help speed up the process. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel and click on “Network and Sharing Center.”

2. Click on “Change adapter settings.”

3. Right-click on the network adapter you’re using and select “Properties.”

4. Click on “Configure” and go to the “Advanced” tab.

5. Scroll down until you find “Large Send Offload” and set it to “Disabled.”

6. Click “OK” to save your changes.

This setting can be a bottleneck for network operations and disabling it can sometimes help speed up file transfers.

In conclusion, there are different ways to copy files faster in Windows 10 and 11. You can disable Windows Search, use a faster storage device, use the command prompt or a third-party file copier like TeraCopy, or adjust your network settings for faster transfer speeds. By using one or more of these methods, you can save time and increase productivity when completing file transfers.