DirectConnectSharing options
Each computer chooses what the other can see. Choose a tile in the other computer’s window, and it applies straight away.
Share drives
The other computer sees your system drive:
- Mac: your startup disk, as Finder shows it (usually “Macintosh HD”), including your user folder and Applications. External drives aren’t included.
- Windows: the C: drive.
- Linux: the drive your system is on, named after your distribution. If your home folder is on a separate filesystem, as on Fedora, DirectConnect shares your home folder instead.
The tile names the drive that will appear on the other computer.
Share a folder
The other computer sees one folder and nothing else. Choose Share a folder, pick the folder, and click Share. To pick another folder later, click Change… under the tiles.
Receive only
The other computer can send you files but can’t see any of yours. Its files go to your Downloads folder. To save them elsewhere, click Change… next to Save received files to.
You don’t approve each transfer. DirectConnect checks there’s enough space, then checks every file after it arrives. Files appear only once complete, and nothing in the folder is overwritten. See Send files.
Read-only
Turn on Read-only and the other computer can open and copy your files, but can’t change, add or delete them. It applies to Share drives and Share a folder. It has no effect on Receive only, which never shows your files.
Remember this computer
Turn on Remember this computer, and next time you connect the cable, DirectConnect shares the same way without asking. Turn it off, and it asks again.
Change or stop sharing
Choose a different tile at any time, and the change applies straight away. To stop sharing, click the chosen tile.
Your choice affects only what the other computer sees of yours. If it’s sharing with you, its files stay open on your computer whatever you choose.