Nearby sharing transfers files between Windows PCs using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This guide uses two Windows 11 PCs.
Set up both PCs
- Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices.
- Open Settings > System > Nearby sharing.
- Choose My devices only for your own PCs signed in with your Microsoft account, or Everyone nearby when sharing with another person.
- Check Save files I receive to. Use Change if you want a different destination folder.
Everyone nearby makes your PC name and Bluetooth MAC address available to nearby devices. Return to a narrower setting after a one-time transfer.
Send and receive a file
- On the sending PC, open File Explorer and select the file.
- Select Share from the toolbar or right-click menu.
- Choose the intended PC by its device name.
- On the receiving PC, choose Save or Save & open when the notification appears.
Confirm the file is in the receiving folder and opens correctly.
If the other PC is missing
Check Nearby sharing and visibility settings on both PCs. Turn Bluetooth or Wi-Fi off and back on if discovery stalls. For Wi-Fi transfers, use the same trusted private Wi-Fi network; otherwise, sharing can use Bluetooth.
