Can I access files on my PC from my iPad?

“PC is not that portable as iPad. But most of my important files are stored on my PC. Is there any way that let me access files on my PC from my iPad, so I can deal with my work anywhere as I have my iPad with me?”

How to access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi

The ways to access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi are various. Here we listed the typical four ways on how to access or transfer files from iPad to PC wirelessly.

Method 1. Free & easy remote desktop software AnyViewer

The first method we want to introduce here is to use the free remote desktop software AnyViewer. Its Windows version supports multiple Windows systems, and its iOS version supports iPhone and iPad running iOS 10.0 or later.

Part 1. Enable remote access on Windows computer

Step 1. Download, install and launch AnyViewer on the Windows computer.

Step 2. Go to Log in, and then click Sign up. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)

Step 3. Fill in the signup information.

Step 4. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you've logged in to.

Part 2. Achieve unattended remote access on the iPad

Step 1. Download and install AnyViewer for iOS on your iPhone, then open it. Log in to the same account that you've logged into the computer.

 Step 2. Then all the devices that have been logged in to the same account will be displayed here. Choose the device that you want to control.

Step 3. Click One-click control to achieve unattended remote access to the specific computer.

Step 4. Then you'll be successfully connecting your iPad to a Windows computer. You’re able to remotely connect to a Windows server from an iPad and access PC files directly from your iPad. It supports both vertical and horizontal screens, you can switch freely.

Method 2. The Windows built-in Remote Desktop

Step 1. Download RD Client on your iPad.

Step 2. Click “+” sign and then click Add PC.

Step 3. Enter the desktop name or IP address. Type the account name you want to use in the User Account field, or just select Ask When Required.

Step 4. Configure other options as you needed. Then click Save.

Step 5. An icon for the computer you want to access will appear, tap that icon. Before this, please make sure that Remote Desktop has been enabled on your computer.

Step 6. Then you can access files on your PC from your iPad.

Method 3. Chrome Remote Desktop

You can also use Chrome Remote Desktop on iPad to remotely access PC files.

Step 1. On your PC, open the Chrome Remote Desktop web page and click Remote Access and then click the blue button to download CRD.

Step 2. On the Chrome web store, click on Add to Chrome to add the Chrome Remote Desktop in your Chrome browser.

Step 3. Click Add extension to confirm the installation.

Step 4. Click on Accept & Install to install it.

Step 5. Enter a name for your computer and then click Next.

Step 6. Choose a PIN with at least 6 numbers, and then enter it twice to start the program. 

Step 7. Go to the iPad App Store to download and install CRD, click SIGN IN at the bottom of the screen, and log in to the same Google account as on the remote computer. Find the remote device that needs to be connected on the main interface.

Step 8. Enter the PIN code set on the remote computer and click the arrow icon to achieve remote control over Google Chrome Remote Desktop on iPad.

Step 9. Then you can access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi.

Method 4. The iPad built-in Files app

Step 1. On the Windows server, right-click the folder you want to access from the iPad, then choose Properties.

Step 2. Go to Sharing tab, then click Share.

Step 3. Choose people to share with, then click Share.

Step 4. Click Done to finish the process.

Step 5. Open the built-in Files app on your iPad.

Step 6. Tap on the "triple-dot" icon located at the top-right corner.

Step 7. Put in the server address and tap Connect.

Step 8. Choose Guest or Registered User according to the setup on your file server. Enter the username and password, and then tap Next.

Step 9. You will now be connected to the shared folder.

Step 10. You’re able to copy, move, delete, duplicate and rename the files.

Conclusion

This post mainly introduces four typical methods to access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi, namely, the free remote desktop software AnyViewer, the Windows built-in Remote Desktop, Chrome Remote Desktop, and the iOS built-in Files App. You can choose according to your preference.