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
Quick walkthrough

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

Prerequisites

• Both PCs must be running Windows 10 (v1803+) or Windows 11.
• Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi must be enabled on both devices (Nearby Sharing uses Bluetooth for discovery and Wi‑Fi for data transfer when possible).
• Both devices should be awake and unlocked.
• If you pick “My devices only” sharing, both PCs must be signed into the same Microsoft account.
• 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)

• Open Settings (Windows key + I).
• Go to System > Shared experiences.
• Under "Nearby sharing," toggle the switch to On.
• Choose who can share with you:
• My devices only — only devices signed in with your Microsoft account.
• Everyone nearby — any nearby Windows device.
• (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)

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

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

• Open File Explorer and navigate to the file(s) you want to share.
• Select one or multiple items.
• Right-click and choose Share. Alternatively, click the Share tab in the ribbon or use the Share button in File Explorer.
• In the Share pane that opens, Windows will search for nearby devices. Click the name of the receiving PC.
• 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.

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

E. Change where received files are saved

• Open Settings > System > Shared experiences (Win10) or System > Nearby sharing (Win11).
• 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.