Introduction
If USB port of the computer that you are using is blocked by administrator and you really want to transfer the files, you are probably stuck. It can be done using a normal smart phone and its USB connector cable.
Method
- Set up an FTP server on your computer. There is a nice and simple portable version available (single EXE) which does not require any installation - FTP Server
- Install ES Explorer (free) or alternative app on your smart phone.
- Connect your smart phone to the computer using data cable and enable USB tethering from settings on phone.
- Connect the IP of your computer via ES Explorer from your smart phone using FTP option. The IP address of the computer can be viewed by using command
ipconfig.
All the contents of the shared FTP folder should be accessible to smart phone via FTP. There is no requirement of any external wifi or LAN.
It is advisable that you disconnect from external wifi or LAN for USB tethering to work seamlessly. Also make sure that the smart phone is neither connected as mass storage device nor as a media device.
Variations
The basic idea is to set up an FTP server and send files over network.
- The FTP server can also be set up on the phone (using any FTP server app) instead of computer.
- If USB tethering does not work, then portable hotspot can also be used. However, this may be slower than data cable.
- Similarly, data transfer can be done on two computers connected on a LAN even if folder sharing is not allowed.
Does It Always Work?
Please let me know if this method fails for a particular USB blocker software or Windows settings.
Warning
If you are trying to apply the above solution on your office computer, please make sure that you follow your company/organization policies and guidelines. This method is only intended to help the user and it is assumed that it will be used diligently.
