An alternative to USB drives for large files
By the WispFile team · Updated 24 September 2026
Instead of a USB drive, send the files directly from one computer’s browser to the other’s: no drive to find, format or lose, and no size limit set. A drive is still faster for very large amounts between machines in the same room with a slow network, and it works with no network at all.
Key facts
- FAT32 drives cannot hold a single file over 4 GB.
- A lost drive is a lost copy; an encrypted link leaves nothing behind.
- Nothing to plug in, format or hand back.
- With no network at all, a drive is the only option.
Drive or direct transfer?
| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Computers in different places | Direct transfer |
| A single file over 4 GB and a FAT32 stick | Direct transfer (or reformat) |
| Confidential files | Direct transfer: nothing left on a drive |
| Hundreds of GB, same room, slow network | A fast external SSD |
| No network at all | A drive |
How to send without a drive
- On the first computer, open WispFile and add the files or folder.
- Open the link on the second computer.
- Keep both awake until it finishes.
On the same network the transfer usually stays local; see sharing on the same Wi-Fi.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t my 5 GB file copy to my USB stick?
The stick is probably formatted FAT32, which cannot hold files over 4 GB. Reformat it as exFAT, or send the file directly instead.
Is a direct transfer as secure as a drive?
More so for a drive that could be lost: the transfer is end-to-end encrypted and leaves no copy anywhere but the destination.
Do I need internet?
Both computers need a network connection to set up the link.
Related guides
- How to share files between devices on the same Wi-Fi — Phone, Mac and PC on one network, no cables or apps.
- How to transfer files between two computers — Cable, drive, network share, cloud or a direct link: which to pick.
- File transfer with no size limit — Why caps exist, and what limits a transfer without them.
Send it directly now
Open WispFile, add your files and share the link. No account, nothing uploaded, nothing stored. Free.
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