Can I connect Surface RT and PC with USB cable?

Anonymous
2012-11-30T00:08:13+00:00

I have a Toshiba Thrive running Android. I can connect it to my PC with a USB cable and access files on my Thrive on the PC. The PC treats the Thrive as a hard drive. Can I connect my Surface in the same way? I have tried and the PC does not appear to see the Surface.

This is a pain, one of the reasons I bought the Surface was to be able to do this type of hard connection and not have to use "iTunes" or the Cloud.

Surface | Other

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Anonymous
2013-03-05T02:57:40+00:00

Greetings SaeedR_706,

That is a good question, however I would suggest rather then using the USB cable, to transfer files over your WiFi network to a shared folder on your Windows 7 Laptop.

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Anonymous
2012-12-05T00:46:39+00:00

Hello Rrccw,

No, you cannot connect the Surface to the PC via USB. However, you can setup Shared folderson your PC. Once you have that, have the Surface connect to the same network via WiFi and then go into Network from the Desktop app, select your PC and then see the Shared Folders. From there, the Surface should have Read/Write access if you gave the permissions on the PC.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-12T18:37:57+00:00

    The Pro runs real, full Windows, so if that adapter has drivers for modern Windows, it would work with the Pro...although personally I'm iffy on installing third party drivers for stuff from unknown companies if I can help it.

    It's worth noting that actually Windows RT has some pretty surprisingly good device compatibility.  When I set up a Surface (with RT) with zero intervention it grabbed printer, scanner, and keyboard and mouse drivers for my specific hardware from Windows Update, and of course works great with an external monitor too.  All stuff that no other tablet can do.  I'm REALLY happy with Windows as a tablet OS.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-12T18:14:00+00:00

    Well I marked the above as ANSWER but the Diamond USB File Transfer Adapter does not work with the Surface RT. I purchased it and the Surface says the adapter "App" will not run on the Surface. Only works PC OS to PC OS. Not PC OS to Surface RT.

    I can see how the RT, being a tablet-only OS might not have driver compatibility with such an adapter. I imagine, but am only guessing, that the Pro would work with it.

    I guess for that capability, you'll have to wait for an adapter tested to work with the RT.

    -E

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-12T18:06:02+00:00

    First I want to apologize to anyone who answered my question since last Octorer. The first response I received was by EricAltman on 2/18/14.  I believe I posted the original question about a year ago.

    Anyway, thank you Eric, I have purchased the device you mentioned. My question is answered.

    Well I marked the above as ANSWER but the Diamond USB File Transfer Adapter does not work with the Surface RT. I purchased it and the Surface says the adapter "App" will not run on the Surface. Only works PC OS to PC OS. Not PC OS to Surface RT.

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