How to Fix Slow File Transfer Speed on Windows 10/11

Slow file transfer speed on Windows 10/11 computers can be incredibly frustrating, especially when moving large files or performing data backups. It can significantly hinder productivity and cause delays. Thankfully, there are several ways to diagnose and fix this issue.

We will examine the common causes of slow file transfer speeds and provide practical solutions to help you speed up the process.

Causes of Slow File Transfer

Understanding the causes of slow file transfer speeds is crucial for finding the right solution. Several factors can contribute to this problem, including:

• Outdated drivers: Out-of-date or corrupted drivers can slow down file transfer speeds as they need help communicating efficiently with your hardware.
• Fragmented hard drives: When files are scattered across your hard drive, it takes longer for your computer to find and transfer them.
• Real-time protection: Antivirus software scanning files during transfer can slow the process.
• Background applications: Programs running in the background can consume system resources, leading to slower file transfers.

8 Ways to Fix Slow File Transfer Speed on Windows 10/11

There are multiple ways to enhance file transfer speeds on your Windows 10 or 11 system. Each method addresses different potential causes of the problem, so you may need to try several to find the most effective solution.

Check the USB Port & Update the Drivers

More than faulty USB ports or outdated drivers can significantly reduce file transfer speeds. Checking your USB ports for physical damage and updating drivers can resolve compatibility issues and enhance transfer rates.

Steps:

1. Inspect your USB ports for any visible damage.
2. Open Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting it.
3. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click each device, and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the instructions.

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Run Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows utility that removes unnecessary files, frees space, and improves system performance. Running Disk Cleanup can help speed up file transfers by reducing the clutter that the system has to manage.

Steps:

1. Press Win + S, type Disk Cleanup and select it from the results.
2. Choose the drive you want to clean and click OK.
3. Check the boxes next to the file types you want to delete, then click OK and Delete Files.

Disable Real-Time Protection

Antivirus software’s real-time protection can slow down file transfers by scanning each moved file. Temporarily turning off this feature can speed up the process, but turn it back on afterward to maintain your PC’s security.

Steps:

1. Open your antivirus software and navigate to the settings menu.
2. Find the Real-time protection or Real-time scanning option.
3. Turn off this feature temporarily and perform your file transfers.
4. Re-enable real-time protection after the transfer is complete.

Disable RDC (Remote Differential Compression)

Remote Differential Compression (RDC) is a Windows feature that optimizes data transfers over a network. However, it can sometimes slow down local file transfers. Disabling RDC can help increase transfer speeds on your PC.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
2. Click Turn Windows features on or off from the left sidebar.
3. Scroll down, find Remote Differential Compression API Support, and uncheck it.
4. Click OK and restart your computer.

Disable Large Send Offload

Large Send Offload (LSO) is a network feature that can cause slower data transfer rates when transferring files over a network. Disabling LSO can help improve transfer speeds, especially on high-speed networks.

Steps:

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters, right-click your network device, and choose Properties.
3. Go to the Advanced tab, choose Large Send Offload, and set it to Disabled.
4. Click OK to apply the changes.

Enable Defragmentation Services

Fragmented files on a hard drive can cause slow file transfers. Defragmentation rearranges the fragmented files to improve read and write speeds, significantly speeding up file transfers.

Steps:

1. Press Win + S, type Defragment and Optimize Drives, and select it.
2. Choose the drive you want to optimize and click Optimize.
3. Wait for the process to complete and repeat for other drives if necessary.

The Share Folder is a DFS Shared Folder

DFS (Distributed File System) shared folders can slow file transfers due to network or configuration issues. Here’s how to optimize it:

-Check Network Connection: Ensure a stable connection to the DFS server.
-Optimize DFS Namespace: Use DFS Management to adjust namespace settings for better performance.
-Reduce DFS Referral Time: Lower the referral time in DFS Management for faster access.
-Monitor Server Load: Ensure servers hosting DFS folders aren’t overloaded.

Disable Drive Indexing

Drive indexing speeds up file searches but can slow down file transfers. Disabling drive indexing can enhance file transfer speeds by reducing the workload on your hard drive.

Steps:

1. Open This PC and right-click on the drive you want to modify.
2. Select Properties and uncheck Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties.
3. Click Apply, choose Apply changes to drive X: subfolders and files, and click OK.

Conclusion

Slow file transfer speeds on Windows 10 or 11 can be inconvenient, but the right approach can significantly improve performance. Understanding the causes and applying these troubleshooting steps allows you to optimize your system for faster, more efficient file transfers. 

If the issue persists, seek professional help to diagnose any underlying hardware problems.