Use Nearby Sharing in Windows 10/11 to Quickly Transfer Files Between PCs

Use Nearby Sharing in Windows 10/11 to Quickly Transfer Files Between PCs​

Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 10 minutes
Nearby Sharing is a fast, built-in way to send files, photos, and links between nearby Windows PCs without setting up email, a USB drive, or cloud storage. It works over Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi (including Wi‑Fi Direct) and is great for quickly sharing a few files with a friend or moving something between your own devices.
Supported versions

• Windows 10 (version 1803 "April 2018 Update" or later)
• Windows 11 (all current builds)

Prerequisites

1. Both PCs must be running Windows 10 (v1803+) or Windows 11.
2. Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi must be enabled on both devices (Nearby Sharing uses Bluetooth for discovery and Wi‑Fi for data transfer when possible).
3. Both devices should be awake and unlocked.
4. If you pick “My devices only” sharing, both PCs must be signed into the same Microsoft account.
5. For best results, both devices on the same local network (Private network) or in close proximity for Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi Direct.

Note: Nearby Sharing may not work over VPNs, and public networks can interfere with discovery. If you’re in a public place, choose sharing settings carefully (see Tips & Warnings below).
Step-by-step instructions
A. Enable Nearby Sharing (Windows 10)

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Go to System > Shared experiences.
3. Under "Nearby sharing," toggle the switch to On.
4. Choose who can share with you:
   • My devices only — only devices signed in with your Microsoft account.
   • Everyone nearby — any nearby Windows device.
5. (Optional) Click the folder link under "Save files I receive to" to change the default save location (default is Downloads).

B. Enable Nearby Sharing (Windows 11)

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Go to System > Nearby sharing.
3. Turn on Nearby sharing.
4. Choose the sharing option: My devices only or Everyone nearby.
5. Optionally change the "Save files I receive to" folder.

C. Send a file from File Explorer (Windows 10 & 11)

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the file(s) you want to share.
2. Select one or multiple items.
3. Right-click and choose Share. Alternatively, click the Share tab in the ribbon or use the Share button in File Explorer.
4. In the Share pane that opens, Windows will search for nearby devices. Click the name of the receiving PC.
5. On the receiving PC, a notification will appear asking to Accept or Decline the file transfer. Click Save & Open or Save to accept.

D. Send files or links from apps (Edge, Photos, etc.)

1. Open the app (Photos, Edge, etc.) and open the item or page you want to share.
2. Click the Share icon (or use Ctrl+Shift+H in supported apps).
3. Choose the nearby device from the list. The recipient approves the transfer like above.

E. Change where received files are saved

1. Open Settings > System > Shared experiences (Win10) or System > Nearby sharing (Win11).
2. Under "Save files I receive to" click Change and pick a folder. Newly received files will go there by default.

Tips, troubleshooting, and notes

• Quick troubleshooting checklist
  • Ensure Nearby sharing is On on both devices and they use compatible settings (My devices only vs Everyone nearby).
  • Turn on Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi on both PCs. Toggle them off/on if needed.
  • Make sure both PCs are discoverable and awake (not in sleep/hibernate).
  • Disable VPN or try on the same local network (set to Private). VPNs can block discovery.
  • If devices don’t appear, toggle Nearby Sharing off and back on, sign out/in of your Microsoft account, or restart both PCs.
  • Check Bluetooth Support Service is running: press Windows+R → services.msc → find Bluetooth Support Service → set to Automatic and start it.
• Network & speed
  • Nearby Sharing uses Bluetooth for discovery and will transfer data over Wi‑Fi (or Wi‑Fi Direct) if available — that’s generally faster than Bluetooth alone. For very large transfers, consider a wired Ethernet connection or cloud transfer if Nearby Sharing seems slow.
  • For best speeds, use the same 5 GHz Wi‑Fi network (if supported) and minimize other network activity.
• Security & privacy
  • "Everyone nearby" is convenient but can expose you to unwanted requests in public places. Use it only in trusted environments (home, office).
  • "My devices only" requires the same Microsoft account on both PCs and is more restrictive and secure.
• Common problems
  • “No nearby devices found”: Make sure both devices are on the same network or have Bluetooth enabled. Also confirm network is not set to Public; set it to Private for easier discovery.
  • Transfers fail mid-way: Temporarily disable firewall or security software to test (then re-enable). Check for Windows Updates and drivers (Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi drivers) and update them.
  • File types & size: Most file types transfer fine. If you regularly send extremely large files (> several GB), Nearby Sharing can work but may be slower than direct wired options.
• Additional features
  • Multiple files: Select several files and use Share to send a batch at once.
  • Accepting: You can accept and choose Save & Open to immediately open received files.
  • Links: Share webpages or documents from apps that support the Windows Share contract (Edge, Photos, many UWP apps).

Warnings

• Avoid selecting "Everyone nearby" on networks in public places to reduce risk of receiving unwanted files.
• Keep your Windows and drivers updated — outdated Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi drivers are a frequent source of Nearby Sharing issues.

Conclusion
Nearby Sharing is an easy, built‑in feature that removes the friction of short file transfers between Windows PCs. With just a couple of taps you can move photos, documents, and links without cables or cloud uploads. It’s ideal for quick, in-person exchanges and moving files between your own devices.
Key Takeaways:

• Fast, cable-free file sharing between Windows 10 (v1803+) and Windows 11 PCs.
• Works via Bluetooth discovery and Wi‑Fi/Wi‑Fi Direct for actual file transfer.
• Simple to enable in Settings (System > Shared experiences or Nearby sharing).
• Use “My devices only” for added security or “Everyone nearby” for convenience (use carefully in public).
• Troubleshoot by enabling Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi, setting network to Private, updating drivers, or toggling Nearby Sharing.

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This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.