When it comes to transferring files from PC to iPhone and vice versa, the most obvious choice is to use iTunes. However, it has been found that many users don’t like working with this application. Bloated and ponderous, iTunes continues Apple’s ongoing trend of having lost its design mojo.
Luckily, we have other options. One of the easiest ways is to use Wi-Fi Direct Transfer. With this method, you can pair your computer and iPhone/iPad within seconds and transfer anything you desire in a jiffy. Unlike AirDrop, Wi-Fi Direct allows you to work across all the platforms including Windows and Android. So you can also use this method to share files between an Android device and your iPhone/iPad as well.
How to use Wi-Fi Direct transfer
For it to work, your iPhone and your computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Since they will connect directly within the Wi-Fi network, you don’t even need an access point. In other words, your devices don’t have to connect to the Internet.
If there is no Wi-Fi network available nearby, you can create one on your own by using the Personal Hotspot feature. Just turn on Personal Hotspot on your iPhone, then on the computer, join the newly created hotspot. That way you can establish a connected Wi-Fi network from anywhere.
Now we’re going to install a wireless transfer tool on the computer and its companion app on the iPhone. There are actually plenty of tools offering this function in the market. The best ones? Well, below are the apps that I’ve used and personally recommend.
1. SHAREit
The SHAREit application is pretty popular due to the fact that the app is developed by Lenovo and it comes pre-installed on many Android devices from this brand.
Step 1:Download and install the SHAREit appson both your computer and iPhone. After they have been installed, launch the apps.
Step 2:Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To send files from your iPhone, select “Send” from the main screen. Note that you’re only able to send photos and videos and other files managed by the Files app.
Step 3:Select the files you wish to transfer to the computer, then tap “OK”. Now if your computer is on the same Wi-Fi network, it should display on the screen. Tap on it to start transferring. Once done, the files will appear on the window of the desktop app.
If you’re not able to connect the two devices, make sure the app is on-screen on both your computer and your iPhone. I have used SHAREit as the primary method to transfer photos from my iPhone to the PC(for editing with Lightroom and Photoshop) and it has worked fine.
3. Xender
Xender is quite similar to SHAREit, except that you don’t have to install a program on your computer. It can work by using your web browser.
Step 1:Download and install the Xender app on your iPhone. It’s free.
Step 2:Connect two devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 3:On your PC, open your web browser of choice and go to http://web.xender.com. The web page will display the QR code used for connecting from the iOS device.
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“Why is my computer running slowly” “My computer is not as fast as it was” “What’s making it run so slow?” “It just Crawls” “I have to turn in on, then go and make a cup of coffee”
These are questions every techy hates “Why is my PC running so slowly?”, my reply is always “How long have you had it?” If its a business machine most users inherit them from someone else, who got it from someone else. If its a home machine its probably had months/years of software being installed and uninstalled.
The truth is, even a machine that’s being looked after and updated will slow down over time, the PC that ran like a rocket on Christmas morning may well run like a dog the following Christmas.
So what can you do? The best option (If its older than 9 months) is to back up your data and reinstall Windows, If it’s quite young, or the thought of installing Windows scares the hell out of you, there are a few steps you can take to recapture your machines “Just installed” speed.
Solution
Step 1 What’s Starting and Running in the Background?
A lot of software developers write their programs so they respond better by having them ticking over in the background, that’s great for that application, but over time more and more programs are taking valuable RAM and processor time.
Lets get that lot turned off. Log in as an administrator and do the following.
1. Start > Run > msconfig {enter}
2. The “System Configuration” window will open > Select the Startup Tab.
3. Untick EVERYTHING except your anti virus software (and possibly any anti-spy anti-malware programs). > Apply > OK > Reboot > Post reboot you will get a pop up message to say you have changed the settings.
Step 2 Do You Have a Virus?
Having decent AV software is a must! And then, just as importantly you need to keep it updated. Ask 100 Techies what’s the best Anti virus and you will get about 50 different answers. The following get my vote,
McAfee
Kaspersky
ESET/Nod32
Trend
All those are NOT Free, If you are wanting a free solution I’d recommend,
Microsoft
Security Essentials
AVG
1. Install some AV software > Update it and perform a full system scan.
Step 3 Is your PC full of Adware/Spyware/Malware
1. I’ve already written on this subject here. Use both the tools I’ve outlined in that article (Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware) and make sure both packages report clean before proceeding.
2. If you are especially paranoid and you may have run some software that is not from the most “legal” of sources, I’d suggest running a rootkit scanner as well this one is free.
Step 4 Remove any old unwanted Programs
1. Click Start > Run > appwiz.cpl {enter}
2. Select any unused programs and uninstall them.
Step 5 Update your machine with the latest fixes and updates
Many times I’ve heard people tell me they don’t enable updates in case Microsoft bring out an update that breaks something, If we are talking about a production server that your business depends on, then fair enough, you need need a strategy for testing updates beforehand. But for client PC’s I’ve seen more problems because people have NOT got fixes installed for known problems that I’ve ever seen updates break something. I can count on my two hands how many times an update has caused a problem, and I’ve worked on thousands of systems.
2. Click Start Now > On the Review the license agreement page > Continue > Install.
Note: You may not be prompted to install the Microsoft Update software if this software is already available on the computer. After you successfully install the software, a Microsoft Update shortcut is added to the All Programs menu on the Start menu.
Step 6 Check Your system Drivers
Most pieces of hardware on your PC have a small piece of software (Driver) that lets them talk to the operating system, fist make sure non of yours are missing or failing,
1. Click Start > Run > devmgmt.msc {enter}
2. When it opens you will see and problem devices are usually marked with an exclamation mark.
Device Manager Errors in Windows XP Device Manager Errors in Windows 7
3. Locate the drivers for the hardware in question and install it.
4. Then use DriverMax to see if there are any new drivers available for your hardware. Install and run the software > Select Driver Downloads and Info > Check Online for Driver updates > You will need to create an account with DriverMax > Follow the instructions.
Step 7 Sort Out Your Hard Drive
1. If you open “My Computer” it should show you how much free space there is on your drive, If you are running low delete some data or move it elsewhere (Burn it to DVD or put on external storage).
2. Then to make sure all the files on your drive have been stored sensible by the operating system download and run De-Fraggler.
Step 8 Clean the Registry
1. There a loads of tools that you can use for this, In the past I’ve used Regseeker, but the most user friendly and easiest to use is CCleaner. Install and run it, then select the Registry tab > Scan for issues.
2. When it’s finished its run through, click “Fix Selected Issues” Answer Yes to backup the registry first > Save the backup file where you can find it. (If anything breaks afterwards simply double click this file and answer Yes to add/merge it into the registry).
<p<3. Then click “Fix All Selected Issues” > Close.
(Note: At this point you can select the “Cleaner” tab and perform some other routine cleanup tasks).
Step 9 Tidy Your Desktop
Specifically shortcuts, every shortcut on your desktop is a small piece of code that points somewhere else, every time your desktop is “Re-Drawn” those links are checked to see if they are OK. If you must have 100 shortcuts, then put all your shortcuts in one folder then have just one shortcut to that folder.
Shortcuts are usually indicated with an arrow
Step 10 Turn Down Windows Settings
1. All the fancy Windows shadows and aero settings take processor Power and RAM > Click Start > run > Sysdm.cpl {enter}
2. Select the Advanced Tab> In the Performance Section Click Settings > Select “Adjust for Best Performance” > Apply > OK.
Step 11 (Windows XP Only!)
1. Turn off Indexing (The indexing service speeds up searches) > Start >My Computer > Right Click C: > Properties > Untick “Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching” > OK. (Repeat for any further hard drives you have).
Step 12 Install more Physical RAM in your Machine
If you have done all the above and it’s still running slow then simply consider adding more RAM, go to Crucial.com to see what memory upgrade your system will support.
Note: If anyone has anything to add, or thinks I’ve made a glaring omission, click here.
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