How do I connect two laptops via Ethernet cable (for file transfer) – one running Manjaro and the other Windows 11?
For a direct connection between the two you need what is called a “crossover” cable - not the normal ethernet cable.
Easier is to connect them via a router or switch - like in your home network.
Then you can use Samba / SMB (which is the Windows standard, but needs some config on the Linux side),
or you can use ssh, for example.
There are many ways to get files from one side to the other …
A very easy way to get files from Linux to Windows is to deploy a temporary web server and access the files via browser from the Windows side - have used this to get files from my computer to my phone … without the need to set anything up 
example:
How to Launch an HTTP Server in One Line of Python Code – Real Python
python3 -m http.server
in the directory where the files are …
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Classic way: set fixed ip adresses like 192.168.0.1 and 2 and subnet 255.255.255.0.
Manjaro side you need support for reading and writing to windows shares. This is called samba.
Nachlese is right about the special cable, but nowadays (if the pc is about 10-15 year old) the network card support automatic crossover, so chances are - use any cable lying around (well, if all 8 wires inside are connected you will have 1 Gbps, otherwise 100Mbps).
For 1-2 files and occasional share i save myself the samba setup and use a program called LocalSend.
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You might also want to consider Syncthing, which is meant to keep folders synchronized on seperate machines.
There is a package in the repos:
pamac search syncthing
syncthing-relaysrv 2.0.9-1 extra Relay server for Syncthing
syncthing-discosrv 2.0.9-1 extra Discovery server for Syncthing
syncthing 2.0.9-1 extra Open Source Continuous Replication / Cluster Synchronization Thing
For the Windows side you can download the Windows Version from Syncthing Website.
I have to say that I have no experience with Syncthing, so I cannot say if it may be suitable for your needs.
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That’s new to me, will give it try. Thanks for the tips.
Tried LocalSend but 100gb+ files are too slow (my experience 10gb took hours). Will try the fixed IP + Samba setup
Never heard of it, but I’ll dig into it
I’ve been using syncthing instead of Samba for several months now. It’s easiest if you also install syncthingtray-qt6. But it’s in both the AUR and the chaotic-aur repo, and many are allergic to them.
It’s far and away easier to set up than Samba, it’s fast, and it’s automatic once set up.
I have my primary desktop, six laptops and my Android phone syncing across both wired and wireless connections. (Sorry, no windows ones, so I can’t report on that.) The PCs all sync the Documents, Pictures, Music and Videos directories, and the phone syncs only its pictures–both those I’ve taken and those texted to me–to them.
Also If I open a document for editing on one PC, it’s locked from editing on all the others. So no colliding edits.
A NOTE OF CAUTION: Syncthing also quickly and automatically syncs file DELETIONS. So please, Please, PLEASE don’t consider it a backup tool.
The documentation is not as clear and concise as it could be. Welcome to Syncthing’s documentation! — Syncthing documentation
I’ve found the easiest way to set it up is to install both Syncthing and the tray icon, add the tray icon to your system tray (works great on Plasama, allegedly also works on Gnome, XFCE and several others), then launch Syncthing from the tray icon.
It will sense that it’s the first time being run and will step you through setup. After that, just pick the folders you want to sync.
Repeat on the second PC using the unique “Folder ID” assigned by the first PC.
Then add the PCs to each other’s list, using their unique 54-character codes.
Sit back and enjoy the show.
NOTE: If you’re running a firewall, you’ll also need to open the appropriate ports. Really easy on both firewalld and ufw. Just search for syncthing and syncthing-gui.
FWIW, there are distro mirrors that sync across the internet using Syncthing rather than rsync or other more traditional means. Which means, with care and caution and reading the docs, you can sync a laptop to your desktop from across the world too.
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Thanks for the detailed Syncthing guide. Will try it out, appreciate the setup tips and warnings
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Syncthing is extremely easy to setup and use.
Another dead easy method - if both are connected to the same wireless network
→ [root tip] [How To] Share and Access NTFS devices using Samba
Syncthing – as the name might suggest – is a handy way to sync selected folders between multiple computers, and for that purpose I highly recommend it. Once it it fully configured and secured it’s indeed very reliable.
However, I’m not certain that is what you want, considering that you specifically asked about using a cable.
As @Nachlese suggests, a crossover cable could be used – ask at any computer store and they should immediately know what you’re looking for.
There are certainly many ways this could be done, as mentioned. Perhaps you could expand a little on the use case and how permanent a solution might be desired.
Regards.
There is also the option of using kdeconnect to transfer files between machines/devices via your local network. I use it to transfer movies from my PC to my Android TV box. kdeconnect is available for Linux (desktop), Android, Windows, Plasma Mobile, SailfishOS, macOS & iOS:
You can install it on your Manjaro system by running the following the command:
pamac install kdeconnect
or
sudo pacman -Syu kdeconnect
Output of pamac info kdeconnect
pamac info kdeconnect
Name : kdeconnect
Version : 25.08.2-2
Description : Adds communication between KDE and your smartphone
URL : https://kdeconnect.kde.org/
Licenses : GPL-2.0-or-later
Repository : extra
Installed Size : 6.4 MB
Groups : kde-applications kde-network
Depends On : dbus gcc-libs glibc kconfig kcoreaddons kcrash kdbusaddons kdeclarative kguiaddons ki18n
kiconthemes kio kirigami kirigami-addons kitemmodels kjobwidgets knotifications kpeople
kservice kstatusnotifieritem kwindowsystem libfakekey libx11 libxkbcommon libxtst
modemmanager-qt openssl pulseaudio-qt qqc2-desktop-style qt6-base qt6-connectivity
qt6-declarative qt6-multimedia solid wayland
Optional Dependencies : python-nautilus: Nautilus integration
qt6-tools: for some runcommand plugin actions [Installed]
sshfs: remote filesystem browser [Installed]
Required By : --
Optional For : purpose
Provides : --
Replaces : --
Conflicts With : --
Packager : Antonio Rojas <arojas@archlinux.org>
Build Date : Fri 10 Oct 2025 22:49:50
Install Date : Mon 13 Oct 2025 21:19:55
Install Reason : Explicitly installed
Validated By : Signature
Backup files : --
If you have one, you’d probably be better off with an external SSD/HDD, but if you have gigabit ethernet then it might not be much quicker (depends on the drives involved).
Though I guess you wouldn’t be asking about networking if you had a suitable drive to use. 