How can I copy files from an RDP PC to my Mac?

“I installed Microsoft Remote Desktop and connected to a PC. But copying and pasting files from my Remote Desktop session (connected to a Windows server) to the local Mac desktop doesn’t work. Only copying text works. How do I transfer files from Windows to Mac? Is there some configuration I am missing?”

How to copy file from RDP to Mac successfully

When moving files between Windows machines via RDP, you check the box in front of Drives to map your drive on the remote machine. However, this isn’t quite the same on the Microsoft Remote Desktop Mac app. On Mac, you have to map a special folder on your machine to accept transfers so as to achieve copying files from RDP to Mac. Let’s learn how to copy files from a remote Windows server to a local machine Mac.

Step 1. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac

Step 2. Go to My Desktops and choose your Connection Entry. Then type Edit.

Step 3. In the popup window, click the Redirection button. Check the Enable folder redirection box. Click the “+” button at the bottom of that window and browse to the Mac folder you want to redirect.

Step 4. When you connect to the remote Windows computer, you can see the redirected Folder in your PC’s My Computer directory.

Step 5. Then connect your Windows computer to your Mac, and you can start to copy files from RDP to Mac or copy files from Mac to Windows RDP. 

Bonus tips: How to copy files from Windows to Windows

After knowing how to do Microsoft Remote Desktop copy-paste on Mac, we would like to introduce to you how to copy files from Windows to Windows as a bonus tip. Although transferring files between Windows machines is possible using RDP, the transfer speed is quite slow. If you want to transfer files between Windows computers quickly, you can use the more reliable and easier remote desktop freeware AnyViewer.

• Compatibility. It’s compatible with various kinds of Windows systems from Windows 7 to the latest Windows 11.
• Security. It’s encrypted with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), which keeps your files safe from prying eyes.
• Fast speed. It allows you to transfer a batch of files at a really fast speed. For example, it only costs about 20 seconds to transfer a 2 GB zip file from the local to the remote computer via AnyViewer.

Download, install, and launch AnyViewer 3.0 on both Windows computers. If your version is lower, please upgrade first.

Part 1. Sign up for AnyViewer for file transfer

To use the file transfer feature, you need to sign up for AnyViewer and log in to the account on the Controller computer.

Step 1. On the Controller computer, 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 2. Fill in the signup information.

Step 3. 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. Transfer files with AnyViewer

After signing up for an AnyViewer account and logging in to AnyViewer on the Controller computer, you can start to transfer files. Depending on different situations, you can choose different ways to achieve file transfer.

Option 1. Transfer files without controlling the remote computer

Step 1. Enter the device ID of the recipient on the blank box, and then choose File Transfer.

Step 2. Then you’ll be asked whether to Send a request to your partner or Input security code.

• Send a request to your partner: The Recipient computer will receive a pop-up window asking whether he/she allows you to control his/her computer.
• Input security code: You can input the security code set by the Recipient in advance and achieve a direct connection.

Tips: This option is suitable for users who need to transfer files to a stranger or anyone that you do not completely trust, ensuring security during file transfer.

Option 2. Transfer files during a remote connection session

Step 1. On the Recipient computer, log in to the same account as you’ve logged in to on the Controller computer.

Step 2. On the Controller computer, go to the Device tab, choose your target computer, and click File Transfer to start transferring files.

Tips: This option is suitable for users who need to frequently access their own remote computers and transfer files, ensuring convenience during transfer.

Whatever options you select, a File Transfer dialog box will appear. The path of the Controller computer is shown on the left of the box, and the path of the Recipient computer is shown on the right. You’re able to transfer files between devices (from the Controller computer to the Recipient computer or from the Recipient computer to the Controller computer) freely by clicking the arrows after choosing the target files.

You can see the transfer status at the bottom of the File Transfer dialog box. Right-click to pause or remove the transfer task. The dialog can be closed when the transfer is complete.

Note: The maximum size of a single file that can be transferred for the free account is 100 MB, and the maximum number of files that can be transferred per time is 100. If you want to transfer larger files in more quantity per time, please upgrade to a Professional or Enterprise plan. What can a professional or enterprise plan brings to you:

• Faster transfer speed. Transfer speed for a free account is 500 KB/s, and for a paid account is up to 10 MB/s.
• Increasing number of files transferred in bulk.
• Larger size of a single file that can be transferred.
• More devices can be assigned to the same account for unattended remote access.
• More Currently connected devices are displayed for management.
• Connect in privacy mode to protect privacy.

Conclusion

This post primarily introduces how to copy files from RDP to Mac. For this to be working, you are suggested to redirect a Mac folder. Another focus of this post is how to use AnyViewer to transfer files between Windows computers. As an alternative to Windows RDP for file transfer, AnyViewer offers you faster speed than you can ever imagine.