In a world where high‑resolution video files, CAD projects, and enterprise data routinely exceed gigabytes, professionals need reliable ways to send large files online. Unfortunately, traditional tools like email and USB drives aren’t designed for modern data volumes. Email clients cap attachments at 20–25 MB. Outlook.com limits attachments to 25 MB and advises users to share OneDrive links for anything larger. Outlook’s desktop versions restrict POP/IMAP attachments to 20 MB and Exchange accounts to 10 MB. These limits mean an hour of 4K footage (~20 GB) could only be sent in 800 separate emails. Compounding the issue, emails are not end‑to‑end encrypted, so splitting and compressing sensitive files across multiple messages raises privacy and compliance concerns.
Professionals therefore resort to external drives, compression tools, or ad‑hoc cloud services. Yet each workaround brings its own trade‑offs: physical drives get lost, compression degrades quality, and free cloud storage runs out quickly. This article explains why transferring large files is challenging, reviews common methods and their limitations, and introduces a WeTransfer alternative that lets you transfer big files up to 1 TB per file and 5 TB per collection—directly from Windows without installing external hardware.
Why Moving Gigabytes Is Harder Than It Seems
Attachment limits and security concerns
Strict email caps – Outlook and most email providers restrict file attachments to about 25 MB. Outlook’s desktop clients enforce even tighter limits—20 MB for POP/IMAP and 10 MB for Exchange accounts. Larger attachments trigger errors asking senders to place the file in a shared location.
Gmail and Outlook collectively cap attachments at 25 MB. To surpass these limits, users compress data or split files across multiple emails, increasing the risk of lost or mismatched parts.
Lack of end‑to‑end encryption – Standard email transmissions are unencrypted by default. Sending confidential documents via email exposes them to potential breaches and fails to meet regulatory standards.
File size growth
Modern media and data sets are intrinsically heavy:
- Video files – A single hour of 4K video can be about 20 GB due to high resolution, frame rate, and production effects. This exceeds email limits by orders of magnitude.
- Complex projects – High‑resolution images, CAD models, or VR projects often combine layers and effects, further inflating file size.
The shortcomings of common methods
Compression tools
Zipping folders reduces size by removing redundant data. Lossless codecs can shrink text or executable files significantly, but they have limited effect on rich media. Compression often sacrifices video quality or barely reduces size; it may not be worth the effort. Consequently, zipped archives rarely bring a 20 GB video below the 25 MB email limit.
External drives
USB drives and portable SSDs allow virtually unlimited offline transfers. However, they require physical exchange. While external drives handle large files, they’re easily lost or stolen and inconvenient for remote collaboration. Courier delays and customs can also slow global projects.
FTP servers and cloud storage
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) remains an option for IT departments. Yet it’s complex to set up, demands technical knowledge, and often lacks encryption.
Cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are more user‑friendly. Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage, while Dropbox’s business plans start at 3 TB and OneDrive integrates with Windows 10/11. Despite these benefits, there are notable limitations:
- Storage caps – 15 GB or 5 GB (for free OneDrive) fills quickly. Upgrading to paid plans can be expensive.
- Security compliance – Consumer cloud services may lack granular access controls and audit trails needed in regulated industries.
- Bandwidth and speed – Cloud sync services involve uploading and downloading entire files. Large videos face slow transfers, and storage‑based pricing can cause costs to balloon.
- Version control headaches – When collaborators edit locally and re‑upload, multiple file versions proliferate. Tracking changes becomes a full‑time task.
File transfer platforms (e.g., WeTransfer)
Dedicated transfer services send files via unique download links. WeTransfer is popular for its simplicity and free tier, but the free plan only allows 2 GB per transfer. Files are stored for a limited time (often seven days) and may be deleted without notice. Advertising banners appear during uploads, and recipients must download within the time limit. For larger files, premium subscriptions become necessary.
Alternative services exist:
- pCloud – Provides up to 5 GB free and supports zero‑knowledge encryption, but encryption costs extra and free storage is limited.
- Dropbox – Popular for team collaboration; paid plans start at 3 TB of storage, but free accounts offer little space, and the interface can feel cluttered.
- OneDrive – Integrated with Windows and Microsoft 365, but the 5 GB free plan isn’t enough for large projects.
If you need to transfer big files regularly—especially terabyte‑scale archives—these services may not suffice. They require accounts, subscriptions, or complex workflows, making them ill‑suited for spontaneous or client‑facing transfers.
Why Seek a WeTransfer Alternative?
WeTransfer’s free tier works for quick photo sets or design mock‑ups, but professionals often encounter constraints:
- File size limit – At 2 GB per transfer, a high‑bit‑rate video or 3D asset easily exceeds the threshold.
- Retention period – Files expire quickly, forcing recipients to download before the deadline.
- Privacy concerns – Third‑party advertising and tracking may accompany file links.
- Account requirements – Upgrading to larger file limits requires monthly subscriptions, adding overhead for occasional users.
A robust WeTransfer alternative should:
- Allow multi‑terabyte uploads without compression.
- Provide flexible storage without mandatory subscriptions.
- Offer enterprise‑grade security and privacy assurances.
- Deliver high upload/download speeds with unlimited downloads for recipients.
- Integrate seamlessly into Windows workflows.
Meet FileFlap – Transfer Large Files Online Without External Drives
FileFlap fills these gaps by combining high‑capacity, privacy‑first transfers with pay‑as‑you‑go flexibility. It offers secure file sharing and large file transfers up to 1 TB per file and 5 TB per collection, making it suitable for video production, game development, and enterprise data. Here’s why FileFlap stands out.
Transparent, scalable storage
FileFlap’s pricing and capacity adapt to your project size:
- 10 GB free, pay only for what you need—no subscriptions.
- Upload up to 1 TB per file and up to 5 TB per collection, with retention options up to 30 days.
- Unlimited downloads so recipients can retrieve files as often as needed.
No account required
You can start uploading immediately; FileFlap doesn’t force you to register. This removes barriers for occasional transfers and simplifies the recipient experience.
Privacy‑first design
FileFlap emphasizes data privacy and security:
- Enterprise‑grade security – Files are protected with SHA‑256 hashing, secure tokens, and Cloudflare infrastructure.
- Zero tracking – The platform pledges no accounts, no tracking, no data harvesting. No cookies or cross‑site tracking are used. Files are never used for AI training.
- Automatic deletion and password protection – Files are automatically deleted after expiration, and optional password encryption protects sensitive files.
- Smart rate limiting and CAPTCHA to prevent abuse.
Built for speed
FileFlap operates on a global CDN (content delivery network). That means recipients download from a server close to them, reducing latency. Internal tests claim upload and download speeds up to 3× faster than major competitors. While speeds vary with your internet connection, CDN routing ensures efficient transfers for geographically dispersed teams.
Clear comparison with other services
FileFlap’s site includes a comparison table showing its advantages over WeTransfer, Smash, and TransferNow. Key highlights include:
| Service | Free/Entry Plan | Max file size (per file) | Storage/Retention | Account required |
| FileFlap | 10 GB free, pay‑as‑you‑go | 1 TB | Up to 5 TB per collection, 30 days retention | No |
| WeTransfer (Free) | 2 GB free | 2 GB | Up to 3 days (Free) | No for free tier |
| pCloud (Free) | 5 GB free | 5 GB | Not specified | No (sign‑in to access encryption) |
| Dropbox (Pro) | 3 TB (Paid) | Unlimited (with paid plans) | Unlimited (varies by plan) | Yes |
| OneDrive (Free) | 5 GB | Limited by plan | Retention depends on subscription | Yes |
By offering terabyte‑level capacity and free tiers, FileFlap positions itself as a true WeTransfer alternative for professionals who routinely share large media or data sets. Because it’s pay‑as‑you‑go, occasional users avoid monthly fees while still accessing high capacity.
Step‑by‑Step: Transfer Large Files on Windows with FileFlap
Sending gigabyte‑scale files on Windows through FileFlap is straightforward. Here’s a workflow to transfer large files online without external drives:
- Prepare your files – Organize your files into a single folder if needed. Consider compressing only if you have many small files or need to send a structured project.
- Visit FileFlap – Open your browser on Windows and go to FileFlap. Click “Start large file upload”, which requires no account.
- Drag & drop files – Upload your files by dragging them into the upload window or selecting them through File Explorer. FileFlap supports individual files up to 1 TB and total collections up to 5 TB.
- Select storage plan – Start with 10 GB free or adjust your storage to match your project using the pay‑as‑you‑go options.
- Set security options – For sensitive projects, enable password protection. FileFlap stores passwords using secure hashing and never tracks your data.
- Generate the link – Once uploaded, FileFlap generates a unique URL. Copy this link and share it via email, messenger, or project management tools.
- Monitor transfers (optional) – If you enable analytics, you can see when files are downloaded. For large collaborative projects, this ensures accountability.
Recipients can click the link and download immediately without signing up. The files remain stored on FileFlap’s CDN until they expire.
Tips for efficient large‑file transfers
- Use wired connections where possible to ensure consistent bandwidth.
- Avoid network congestion by scheduling uploads during off-peak hours.
- Maintain file organization by naming files and folders clearly before uploading.
- Check file integrity by verifying that the recipient can open and extract the files correctly.
Conclusion: Send Big Files Without the Hassle
Modern professionals need to transfer big files quickly, securely, and without the friction of accounts or subscription plans. Email isn’t designed for multi‑gigabyte attachments; compressing or splitting files across dozens of messages is inefficient and insecure. External drives are cumbersome and risk loss. Traditional cloud services cap storage and lack compliance features, while WeTransfer’s free service tops out at 2 GB.
FileFlap emerges as a compelling WeTransfer alternative for Windows users who need to transfer large files online. It combines generous capacity (up to 1 TB per file and 5 TB per collection) with a privacy‑first approach—no accounts, no tracking, no data harvesting. Its pay‑as‑you‑go model starts with 10 GB free and scales seamlessly, making it suitable for both occasional and professional use. By leveraging a global CDN for fast transfers and enterprise‑grade security, FileFlap helps creatives, developers, and businesses share huge files without external drives or complicated workflows.
Ready to send large files effortlessly? Head over to FileFlap to start your next transfer.
