Windows · Network & Internet
Share Files with Nearby Devices
Nearby Sharing lets you send files, photos, and links wirelessly to another nearby Windows PC using Bluetooth and WiFi together, without needing a shared network drive, email, or a USB stick. Both the sending and receiving PC need Nearby Sharing turned on and Bluetooth enabled for it to work.
How to open Nearby Sharing
- Open Settings → System → Nearby sharing.
- Turn Nearby sharing on and choose 'Everyone nearby' or 'My devices'.
- On the sending PC, right-click a file in File Explorer and choose Share.
- Select the nearby device from the list and accept the transfer on the receiving PC.
What you should know
- Turn Nearby Sharing on and choose whether to receive from 'Everyone nearby' or only 'My devices'.
- Set where received files are saved, defaulting to your Downloads folder.
- Share directly from File Explorer's right-click 'Share' option, or from the Share button in supporting apps.
- Both devices need Bluetooth turned on and to be within roughly close range for discovery to work.
Setting Nearby Sharing to 'Everyone nearby' makes your PC's Bluetooth name and general availability visible to any nearby device attempting to share, not just people you know are trying to send you something.
Why it matters
Nearby Sharing solves the common annoyance of needing to move a file between two nearby PCs without emailing it to yourself, hunting for a USB drive, or setting up network sharing permissions. Because it works over Bluetooth and WiFi directly between devices, it doesn't require both PCs to be on the same network or signed into the same account, making it genuinely useful in shared offices, classrooms, or homes with multiple family PCs. Understanding the 'Everyone nearby' versus 'My devices' distinction also matters, since the more open setting trades some privacy for convenience.
Best practices
- Set Nearby Sharing to 'My devices' if you primarily share between your own PCs signed into the same Microsoft account, for a tighter and more private default.
- Turn Nearby Sharing off when you're not actively using it in a public space, rather than leaving 'Everyone nearby' on indefinitely.
- Confirm Bluetooth is enabled on both devices before troubleshooting further, since it's a common and easily missed requirement.
- Change the default save location for received files if Downloads isn't where you'd prefer shared content to land.
Common problems and fixes
- A nearby PC doesn't appear as a sharing option.
- Confirm both PCs have Bluetooth turned on and Nearby Sharing enabled, and keep them within a few feet of each other during the initial share attempt.
- Nearby Sharing worked before but has stopped working recently.
- Toggle Nearby Sharing off and back on on both devices, and check that neither PC's Bluetooth adapter driver needs an update in Device Manager.
- You're unsure who could see your PC while Nearby Sharing is active.
- Switch from 'Everyone nearby' to 'My devices' if you only intend to share between PCs signed into your own Microsoft account.
Tips and tricks
- Right-click any file in File Explorer and choose 'Share' as the quickest way to start a Nearby Sharing transfer without opening a separate app.
- Keep both devices unlocked and awake during the transfer, since Nearby Sharing can pause or fail if either PC goes to sleep mid-transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Does Nearby Sharing work between a Windows PC and a phone?
No, Nearby Sharing is a Windows-to-Windows feature; sharing between a PC and a phone typically requires a different method, like Bluetooth file transfer, cloud storage, or a manufacturer-specific cross-device app.
Do both PCs need to be on the same WiFi network?
Not strictly — Nearby Sharing can use Bluetooth alone for discovery and smaller transfers, though being on the same network can improve transfer speed for larger files.
Can I choose exactly where a received file is saved each time?
Not per transfer, but you can change the default save folder for all received files under Nearby Sharing's settings if Downloads isn't where you want them.
Related settings
- Bluetooth SettingsBluetooth settings allow you to connect wireless devices such as headphones, keyboards, mice, and smartphones to your PC. You can pair, remove, and manage connected devices easily.
- WiFi ConnectionWiFi Connection settings allow you to view, connect to, and manage wireless networks. You can configure automatic connections, set network priorities, and troubleshoot connectivity issues from this panel.
- Mobile HotspotMobile Hotspot lets you share your PC's internet connection (WiFi, Ethernet, or cellular) with other nearby devices over WiFi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable. It's useful for sharing a wired connection with a phone, or a cellular data plan with a laptop that lacks its own SIM.
More Network & Internet guides for Windows
- VPNVPN settings let you add, connect, and manage Virtual Private Network profiles for securely routing your traffic through a work, school, or personal VPN server. This is where you configure server details, sign-in info, and whether the VPN connects automatically.
- Remote DesktopRemote Desktop lets you connect to this PC from another Windows device, or from Mac, iOS, and Android using the Remote Desktop app, over your local network or the internet. Once enabled, you can control this PC's full desktop remotely, which is useful for accessing a work computer from home or troubleshooting a family member's PC.
- Airplane ModeAirplane mode instantly turns off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, and GPS radios all at once, which is required during flights and useful anytime you want to quickly disable wireless connectivity.
- Proxy SettingsProxy settings let you route your PC's internet traffic through a proxy server, either automatically detected or manually configured, which is often required on corporate or school networks.
- EthernetEthernet settings manage your PC's wired network adapter, including IP configuration, connection metering, and network profile type for a plugged-in cable connection.
- Data UsageData usage shows how much network data your PC has consumed over Wi-Fi and ethernet in the past 30 days, broken down by app, helping you identify what's using bandwidth.