Enable nearby sharing in Windows 10

Stefan
Enable nearby sharing in Windows 10

Microsoft has added a new method to share files with other devices in the immediate vicinity. If you enable the “Share in immediate vicinity” option in Windows 10, you can easily share files such as images, videos, documents, etc. via Bluetooth.

Sharing in the immediate area works via a wireless Bluetooth connection. There is no need to connect devices via a cable.

Windows 10 must have at least the 1803 update to be able to enable “Sharing in immediate vicinity”. Bluetooth must also have the “Low energy central role” functionality.

Enable nearby sharing in Windows 10

As I indicated in the accompanying text, your Bluetooth device must have the “Low energy central role” functionality. You can check this in the following way.

If necessary, first read how enable Bluetooth in Windows 10.

Bluetooth – Low Energy Central Role control

Right-click on the Windows start button. click on Device management from the menu.

Device management

Click on Bluetooth and expand the settings. Then right-click on the installed Bluetooth device and select Properties.

The name of your installed Bluetooth device may differ from the name in the example image below.

bluetooth device settings

Click on the Details tab. Then click Properties and click: Bluetooth Radio Supports Low Energy Central Role.

Bluetooth Low energy central role settings

If the value indicates, then the Bluetooth device supports this functionality and you can enable “Sharing nearby” in Windows 10.

No Low Energy Central Role support or no Bluetooth? Buy Bluetooth dongle (bol.com)

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Enable nearby sharing

Right-click on the Windows start button. Click on Settings from the start menu.

Open Windows settings

In the Windows settings click on System settings.

Windows system settings

Click on Shared experiences in the menu on the left. Then click the on or off button to enable nearby sharing in Windows 10.

Shared Experiences - Enable nearby sharing

You have now successfully enabled “nearby sharing” in Windows 10.

Share file with device in immediate vicinity

To share a file from your device to other devices, right-click on the file. Then click Share from the menu.

share file via bluetooth

Then click Search for nearby devices to share the file.

share file with nearby devices

I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!


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