Nearby sharing is a built-in Windows 10/11 feature that sends files or links directly to another PC near you over Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi—no shared folder, no USB stick, and no cloud upload. It is ideal for quick hand-offs of photos, PDFs, or small project files when both people are in the same room (see 9.1 for LAN folder sharing, 9.2 for cloud, 9.3 for USB).
When nearby sharing helps
- Sending a few files to a colleague’s laptop at a meeting without emailing or using a drive.
- Moving photos or documents between your own Windows PCs on the same desk.
- Avoiding the setup of network shares when you only need a one-time transfer of modest size.
- Staying off the internet—transfer is local wireless, not a cloud service.
Nearby sharing vs. other options
| Method | Setup | Internet? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearby sharing | Toggle in Settings on both PCs | No | Quick send of small/medium files nearby |
| LAN folder share (see 9.1) | Network discovery + shared folder | No | Large files, ongoing shared directory |
| USB drive (see 9.3) | Plug in drive | No | Offline PCs, very large archives, no wireless |
| Cloud (see 9.2) | Account + sync or link | Yes | Remote recipients, backup, collaboration |
Requirements
- Both PCs run Windows 10 (version 1803 or later) or Windows 11.
- Bluetooth enabled on both machines (Nearby sharing uses Bluetooth for discovery; Wi‑Fi may carry the data).
- PCs should be within a few meters—same room or adjacent desks.
- Both users signed in with a Microsoft account is recommended for My devices only mode.
Turn on nearby sharing (both PCs)
- Open Settings (
Win + I) > System > Nearby sharing (Win 10: may be under Shared experiences). - Choose a visibility level:
- My devices only — only PCs signed in with your Microsoft account (safest for personal use).
- Everyone nearby — any nearby Windows PC can see your device when sending (use in trusted spaces only).
- Repeat on the receiving PC with the same or compatible setting.
- Ensure Bluetooth is on: Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Bluetooth On.
Send a file
- In File Explorer, right-click the file or folder (folders may be sent as a zip in some builds).
- Click Share (or Give access to > Specific people on older builds—prefer the modern Share panel).
- Under Nearby sharing, wait for the target PC name to appear, then click it.
- On the receiving PC, accept the notification: Save or Save & Open. The file lands in the Downloads folder by default.
Send from apps
-
Many Microsoft Store and UWP apps expose Share in their toolbar or ... menu—same nearby list as File Explorer.
Photos, Edge links, and PDF viewers often support sending a link or file to a nearby PC without saving to disk first.
Limits and expectations
- Designed for smaller files—photos, Office documents, PDFs. Multi‑GB video projects are better over LAN (9.1) or USB (9.3).
- Transfer speed depends on Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi hardware; it is usually slower than gigabit LAN or USB 3.0.
- Does not replace Mac or Android transfer—Nearby sharing is Windows to Windows only.
- Turn off Everyone nearby in public places (cafés, airports) to avoid unsolicited requests.
Security tips
- Prefer My devices only when sharing between your own PCs.
- Use Everyone nearby only when you recognize the recipient’s PC name before accepting.
- Do not accept files from unknown devices—treat unexpected transfers like email attachments from strangers.
- Disable nearby sharing when not needed: Settings > System > Nearby sharing > Off.
Troubleshooting
- Target PC not listed: Confirm nearby sharing is on both sides; turn Bluetooth off and on; move PCs closer; sign in with the same Microsoft account if using My devices only.
- Transfer fails or stalls: Disable VPN temporarily; check that neither PC is on a restricted guest network; restart Bluetooth.
- No Share / Nearby option: Update Windows; nearby sharing requires a recent Win 10 build—run Windows Update.
- Need large or permanent share: Use LAN folder sharing (9.1) or USB (9.3) instead.