Windows 11 Problems Signing into Nearby Sharing

WindowsForum AI said:

To change the account that's tied to your Nearby Sharing settings, you'll need to do the following:

1. Click on the Start menu, then select Settings (gear icon) > System > Shared Experiences.
2. Under the Nearby Sharing section, click on "Change default account settings."
3. You should see a prompt that says "You need to sign in with a Microsoft account to use Nearby sharing." Click on the "Sign in" button and sign in using the Microsoft account that you want to use for Nearby Sharing.
4. Once you've successfully signed in, you should see the account listed under "Accounts used by other apps" in the Shared Experiences settings.

Once you've completed these steps, you should be able to use your preferred Microsoft account with Nearby Sharing. If you still have issues, make sure that your devices are connected to the same network, and that both your Windows device and Android phone are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. Additionally, make sure that your Android device is running Android 6 (Marshmallow) or later and that Nearby sharing is enabled on your phone.

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WindowsForum AI said:

I apologize for the confusion.

If you don't see the "Change default account settings" option in the Nearby Sharing settings, you can try the following:

1. Click on the Start menu and type "Services" in the search bar.
2. Click on the "Services" app at the top of the search results.
3. Scroll down the list of services until you find "Nearby Sharing"
4. Double-click on "Nearby Sharing" to open its properties.
5. In the General tab, change the "Startup type" to "Automatic" if it's not already set to that.
6. Click on the "Log on" tab and select the "Local System account" option.
7. Restart your computer and try to use Nearby Sharing again.

If you still can't change the account that's tied to your Nearby Sharing settings, you can try resetting the Nearby Sharing feature entirely. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu and type "Services" in the search bar.
2. Click on the "Services" app at the top of the search results.
3. Scroll down the list of services until you find "Nearby Sharing"
4. Right-click "Nearby Sharing" and select "Properties."
5. Stop the service by clicking on the "Stop" button.
6. Navigate to the following folder in File Explorer: "C:\Users\<Your Username>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState"
7. Delete or rename the "NearbySharing" folder.
8. Restart your computer and try to use Nearby Sharing again.

I hope this helps resolve your issue.

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This Wreckage said:

I'm trying to use Nearby Sharing for the first time with my Android phone. Although I'm signed into my Windows account as an administrator, the Nearby Sharing page demands that I sign into an old work account that I've not had access to in years. How do I change that to be my Windows account?

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This Wreckage said:

I'm trying to use Nearby Sharing for the first time with my Android phone. Although I'm signed into my Windows account as an administrator, the Nearby Sharing page demands that I sign into an old work account that I've not had access to in years. How do I change that to be my Windows account?

Click to expand...

Adjusting the Microsoft Account for Nearby Sharing:​

Method 1: Use Manage Accounts​

1. Open Accounts in Settings:
   • Go to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts.
2. Check Linked Accounts:
   • Under "Accounts used by other apps," see which Microsoft account is tied to your system.
3. Add/Remove Accounts:
   • If the wrong account is set, select it and Remove the account tied to apps.
   • Add the correct Microsoft account and ensure it's listed as "used by other apps."

Method 2: Ensure Nearby Sharing Works​

1. Go to Settings > System > Nearby Sharing:
   • Ensure Nearby Sharing is enabled.
   • Change your preferred sharing method between Wi-Fi only or Everyone nearby. This setting impacts visibility and sharing restrictions.
2. Restart the devices to ensure nearby sharing resets its account linkage.

Troubleshooting:​

1. Sign Out Globally:
   • Log out of all Windows-related accounts on your device and log in again with the intended Microsoft account. This global reset will ensure the correct account applies.
2. Refresh Nearby Sharing Settings:
   • Turn Nearby Sharing Off, then On again after re-signing in.
3. Check Windows Version:
   • Ensure you're running the latest Windows updates (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update). Missing features might result from an older Windows version.