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How to set up and use Nearby Sharing to transfer files between Windows PCs quickly

General IT KB-363

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to set up and use Nearby Sharing to transfer files between Windows PCs quickly. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Nearby Sharing is a built-in Windows feature that lets you wirelessly transfer files, documents, photos, and links between two Windows 10 or Windows 11 computers on the same network or in close proximity. It uses Wi-Fi for the actual transfer and Bluetooth for device discovery. It's a fast alternative to email attachments or cloud uploads, particularly useful when moving files between your work and home PCs or sharing documents with a colleague in the same office. This guide walks you through enabling Nearby Sharing, configuring your preferences, and troubleshooting common issues.

Before You Begin

To use Nearby Sharing, both computers must meet the following requirements:

If you primarily want to share files between a Windows PC and an Android device, Nearby Sharing is not the right tool. Consider using Phone Link or a third-party app such as KDE Connect instead.

Enabling Nearby Sharing

  1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Navigate to System then select Nearby Sharing (on Windows 11) or Shared experiences (on Windows 10).
  3. Toggle the switch to On.
  4. Under Share or receive from, choose one of the following:
    • My devices only — only your own signed-in devices can share with each other.
    • Everyone nearby — any nearby Windows device can send you files.
  5. Choose a default save location under Save files I receive to. The default is the Downloads folder, but you can select Change to pick a different location.
  6. Repeat these steps on the second computer.
For most small business setups, My devices only is the safer choice. It prevents unknown devices in your office or co-working space from sending files to your PC.

Sending a File Using Nearby Sharing

  1. In File Explorer, right-click the file, photo, or document you want to send.
  2. Select Show more options (Windows 11) to reveal the full context menu.
  3. Click Share.
  4. The Share window will appear and begin searching for nearby devices.
  5. When the target computer appears in the list, click its name.
  6. On the receiving PC, a notification will pop up. Click Accept within the time limit (usually 30 seconds).
  7. The file will be saved to the location you configured earlier.

You can also share from within many modern Windows apps:

Sharing a File Directly from the Share Menu

  1. Select the file(s) in File Explorer.
  2. Click the Share button in the toolbar at the top of the window.
  3. Choose the target device from the list.
  4. Accept the transfer on the receiving computer.

Troubleshooting

The Other Computer Does Not Appear in the Share List

The Transfer Fails or Stalls Mid-Transfer

Files Are Saving to the Wrong Location

Notification Does Not Appear on the Receiving PC

Nearby Sharing transfers files over your local network or Bluetooth in plain text. Avoid using it to send sensitive documents such as tax records, customer data, or credentials on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Use a managed file transfer solution or encrypted cloud storage for confidential material.

Getting Further Help

If Nearby Sharing continues to misbehave after following these steps, your Bluetooth adapter drivers may need updating. Open Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click your adapter, and select Update driver. If the issue persists across multiple devices on your network, our support team can investigate further. Open a Ticket with details of the affected computers, including their Windows versions and any error messages you've seen.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket

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