When you need to share files between two laptops on the same local network (LAN or WiFi), many people think of using USB drives, email, or cloud services like Google Drive. However, there is a quick and efficient way to do this without third-party software: using Python to create an HTTP Server. This guide will show you how to do it easily.

1. Prerequisites

This method applies when:

• Both laptops are connected to the same network (LAN or WiFi).
• The sender laptop has Python installed (most modern operating systems have Python pre-installed, especially Linux and macOS).
• The receiver can access a web browser or use wget/curl to download files.

2. Find the IP Address of the Sender Laptop

On Laptop A (the sender), check its local IP address by running the following command based on your operating system:

• Windows (run in Command Prompt or PowerShell):

  ipconfig
  

• Linux/macOS:

  ip a
  

  You will see the IP address in the range 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x. For example, suppose the IP address of Laptop A is 192.168.1.100.

3. Start Python HTTP Server on Laptop A

Navigate to the folder containing the files you want to share and run the command:

cd /path/to/directory
python3 -m http.server 8000 --bind 0.0.0.0

Explanation:

• 8000: The port on which the server will run (you can change this).
• --bind 0.0.0.0: Allows all devices in the network to connect.

Once executed, Python will create a simple HTTP server, and files in the directory will be accessible from other devices.

4. Access the Server from Laptop B

On Laptop B, open a web browser and enter:

http://192.168.1.100:8000

To download a file from the terminal, use wget or curl:

wget http://192.168.1.100:8000/filename

or:

curl -O http://192.168.1.100:8000/filename

5. Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If Laptop B cannot connect to the server, check the following:

• Is the firewall on Laptop A blocking connections? On Windows, open Command Prompt (admin) and run:

  netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Python HTTP" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=8000
  

  On Linux/macOS:

  sudo ufw allow 8000
  sudo ufw enable
  

• Are Laptop A and Laptop B on the same subnet? Run ping 192.168.1.100 from Laptop B to check network connectivity.
• Is the router blocking communication between LAN and WiFi? Some routers isolate WiFi and LAN devices. If so, you need to disable this setting in the router configuration.

6. When the Laptops Are Not on the Same Network

If the two laptops are not on the same network (e.g., one is using WiFi, the other is on mobile data), you can:

• Use a public IP address: If you have a static IP, you can access the server by opening ports on the router.
• Use services like ngrok or ZeroTier: These provide solutions for exposing an HTTP server over the internet.

7. Conclusion

Sharing files between two devices on the same network has never been easier with Python HTTP Server. This method is fast, requires no additional software, and is very useful for temporary file sharing. Try it today and leverage the power of the terminal to work more efficiently!