Getting Files From Desk to Lap Top

Great Idea
i used to use something similar, about 10yrs or more back
can't remember the name of the program

I have two laptops and to keep the data files updated on both I use a program called easy computer sync. you connect the two computers with the included usb cable (same usb on both ends) load the sw on both computers, open the program on both computers and set the sync settings. you can set it so that both computers end up with the latest data files or other combinations. it will sync all the data files, all the desktop files and any other directories you want. it will not try to move any programs.

I've used it for about 2 years to keep both computers with the latest data files current. It can sync one way or between both computers to update to the latest data files.

when we travel I take the small laptop. when we return I sync the big laptop with all the latest files from the small one.

For valuable files, I recommend always having an external drive to keep backups on. This might be a good time to get one. How large are all the files, total size? I actually keep my important original stuff on a personal, local, network storage device (NAS) and backups on a laptop drive. I live with a lot of redundancy. When a drive fails, I do not loose anything older than about 18 hours.

Find the files, Then on the folder they are in click on up one level (It is either an up arrow or a bent arrow left then up) and right click on the folder name and choose PROPERTIES... Click on the SHARING tab and share this folder.

Now connect BOTH computers to the same router.. on the target computer choose NETWORK, then the source computer, then the folder and right click on it again, Choose COPY

Now find the same folder on the target computer and from the folder that contains it delete it, then PASTE the copy into that folder.

Opinion two:
If you have One Drive or Dropbox or any kind of "Cloud" account.

Copy to cloud on source comptuer, copy FROM cloud on target computer.

This does NOT require both computers be connected to the same router.. But it does require both of them share a cloud account.

She should be able to access ancestry.com from any computer. It is the Family Tree files that are different. She needs to create a GEDCOM file in Family Tree and save it to a flash drive. Then open that file in Family Tree. If she syncs Family Tree with Ancestry she will have to remember that the file on the desktop and the one of the laptop will be different the minute she makes a change on one of them.

I recommend something like this flash drive. If you can find a way to save or locate the files from that desktop, it should be easy to copy/drag/drop from that directory to the flash drive. Open on the laptop, copy to that hard drive, and reload from the Ancestry program.

ob, I obviously don't understand either, but tht is the norm for me and computers.

Thanks a bunch folks for taking the time you donated on this issue.

I don't understand the problem.

I can access my ancestry dot com trees from any computer I wish.

For a novice user, the first problem is how to export and import the Ancestry data to a GEDCOM file. Then a USB thumb drive or SD card is the best medium for transferring the file from one computer to another. Using a local network requires sharing, homegroup, etc. that is problematic for a novice.

In the original system, go into ancestry.com and click on Tree pages to the right of your tree name and then click on Tree settings. You will see this window and then click on EXPORT TREE in green on the lower right and select the device for your data file (GEDCOM).





On the target system, open ancestry.com and click on TREES and you will get this window to import the file from your original system.

Transfer via SD card does not require any external access or communication access. Your files and whatever are never exposed to the internet and the WORLDWide web. Safe and easy. If you have an SD drive on both computers, I like that option, but I have a 64GB USB drive that is less than 1" long, and stays on my keychain.