How to transfer files from Windows to the iPad

[Kathleen Atkins]

TOP STORY How to transfer files from Windows to the iPad By Lincoln Spector The iPad (and other iOS devices) might be the coolest computing device, but it lacks a clear and simple way to share files with Windows PCs. Sure, an iPad contains storage and connects to your PC via USB, but it doesn't behave like a flash drive or Android phone. Here are three tricks for moving files on and off an iPad. The full text of this column is posted at windowssecrets.com/top-story/how-to-transfer-files-from-windows-to-the-ipad/ (opens in a new window/tab). Columnists typically cannot reply to comments here, but do incorporate the best tips into future columns.

[MaggieWA]

Recently I obtained the new iPad3 and initially bought one book through iTunes and subsequently found the iPad brilliant for reading books, better than my Sony eReader. Apparently Apple initially announced that their iBooks would be in ePub format, so having already obtained several eBooks for my eReader, I thought, great!, I can read them on my iPad after loading them. What a mistake that proved to be for after searching on the 'net, I discovered the truth about Apple's iBooks; see this web page: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/how-apple-is-sabotaging-an-open-standard-for-digital-books/4378 .
Then returning to iTunes to purchase further iBooks in Apples format, I was taken aback with Apples new Security system for accessing the iTunes Store. It is now necessary to answer at least 27 questions, all of which I presume one has to remember the answers given for future purchases. I reneged on this and have refused to answer the very stupid questions, all because Apple is unable to secure their web page against hackers.

I realise this has nothing to do with your article in the new Windows Secrets email, but felt that the subject could be of interest to your readers.

[curiousclive]

Another reason why I won't be buying an iPad, iPhone or anything else Apple.

[sab65]

Ditto!

[Rob7937]

Hi Mr. Spector:

Thank you for these tips I am always interested in using my iPad (V1) in more useful ways. I had read previously that iTunes could do these things but since it is such a resource hog, I avoid it for this and use it for music and language podcasts. What works best for me is simply use the Kindle app and their 'new' transfer personal docs (docs and pdfs) feature. Document problems solved. What was driving me crazy was not being able to print from my iPad. Finally solved that problem with an app called Printer Pro. About $7 and works for me. No more lugging the laptop around and through airports, Thank you very much!

[CLiNT]

Thanks, the email methods does work nicely for me.

[daenas]

Better yet, buy a Samsung Galaxy Tab, like I did, and you'll never have this issue!

[agedwirehead]

GoodReader, which you talk about in the article, also will access file shares (AFP or SMB).
It also accesses ftp and web sites to download things like PDF files.
It also displays PDF files very well.

FileBrowser is another easy app that permits remote file access.

Turn on file sharing on your PC and then tell GoodReader to look for the "server".

I turn file sharing on and off on my PCs and Macs. I only have it on when I am in a safe locale.
And I secure my PCs in other appropriate ways, like long pass-phrases, firewall, etc.

I did have to get my mind wrapped around the new file management paradigm on the iPad.
It makes great sense as part of the application sandbox concept.
When fully implemented, a sandbox helps protect both IOS and all other apps from attack.
Just because I unintentionally invite some nasty code into my iPad (or iPhone) does not mean all is lost.

One of the best ways to understand it is to develop an app...

[DMorrisPE]

I use the Documents To Go APP to move/sync my .DOC, .XLS, .PPT, and .RTF formatted files between my XP laptop and my iPhone and it includes a .PDF file viewer. It uses a wi-fi connection to sync between the app on the apple device and the Docs To Go folder on the laptop. It works sorta like Dropbox for a local connection. The easiest way for me is to use my iphone's Personal Hotspot feature to create a wi-fi session that my laptop can connect to. Plus the app lets me create, edit, and format documents on the iPhone.

I don't have an iPad to play with, but since the APP is available for iPad, I will presume that the same capabilities are also present for that device.

[RussB]

I find it much more practical to use the iPad for remote desktop operations than file transfer.

[Jane in KC]

Although I had already discovered the majority of the information via other sources, what you wrote about transferring files to an iPad was great. So many people (like me) are PC users from the early days and yet have been unable to resist the new iPhone and iPad. I was fortunate to have good support from friends and other places, and I do think the Apple devices are easy to learn, but because there are so many PC people now using iPads, I think it is extremely helpful to see this kind of information in the Windows Secrets newsletter. Thank you again.

[scuttle613]

1. I own an iPhone but when I was looking for a tablet, I chose an Asus Eee Pad Transformer. It's somewhat cheaper than an iPad and able to work off a memory card has its advantages. Even though I like the iPhone, my next phone probably won't be an Apple product.

2. SugarSync is an alternative to Dropbox. If you need more than 2GB, Sugarsync is worth trying before you upgrade your Dropbox account.

3. If you know what you're doing, i-Funbox is a pretty neat iPad/iPhone explorer. See: http://www.i-funbox.com

4. As an alternative to iBooks as an eBook reader, you can try Bluefire. Stanza was apparently bought out by Amazon and is no longer supported.

5. PDF Viewer by Kdan Mobile Software is a great PDF reader. It works in the cloud, with Dropbox, Sugarsync and others. It's advantage is that you can easily fine zooming into a document. This may be less of a problem on an iPad but on an iPhone it can be tricky trying to view (especially) two column documents.

6. If you need to create or manage eBooks from other formats, there is (of course) Calibre and/or Sigil.

[lagunacreek]

I will use my iPad when wireless is not available. Sometimes I need to move a document between supported apps. For example I can more an excel doc from Goodreader (where I store everything) to Numbers.
The easy way is to email the file to yourself.
Go to the sent folder.
Click on the file attachment.
And then you can select the app you want to open it in.
Then just delete it from the sent folder.
This is a great way to move files back and forth between apps, even if you don't have access to wireless or your iTunes.

[DavidFB]

Hi Lincoln
Your observation about Outlook is not uncommon. When you ask it to attach a file, sometimes it embeds it instead. This leads to the winmail.dat thing on other OS's. Certain commands in Outlook will oblige it to attach rather than embed but it varies a little by version.

Personally, I avoid Outlook for this and other reasons, like it storing all its data in one corruptible file.

[valkomjdc]

Liked the article. And use all three options, but, I find myself using DiskAid/FileApp more and more. I'm going to get the Pro version. I just hope the macnatics the macnopoly in the appstore don't kill this great app as they did with all the great WiFi tracking apps, the WiFi apps that let you see the wireless world around you. You install DiskAid on your Mac or PC for free and then the free File App on your IPod, IPad, IPhone. Best with the latest versions of IOS 5 or better. I presume that the paid version of DiskAid comes with the paid FileApp pro.

Even works, for now, if you have you did a jailbreak on your Apple device. You don't have to jailbreak to get the DiskAid features.