Share Things With Nearby Devices In Windows - Microsoft Support

Related topics × Network and Internet Get Started

• Essential Network Settings
• Connect to Wi-Fi
• Connect to VPN
• Mobile Hotspot
• Use Proxy Server
• Metered Connections

More about Wireless Networks

• Setting up a Wireless Network
• Faster Wi-Fi
• Wi-Fi and Home Layout

File Sharing

• Nearby Sharing
• File Sharing over Network

Cellular Data Settings

• Cellular Settings
• Use an eSIM to get Cellular Data
• Add Device to Mobile Data Plan

Troubleshooting

• Fix Ethernet Problems
• Fix Wi-Fi Problems
• Fix Nearby Sharing Problems
• Fix Connectivity Problems during Setup
• Wireless Network Report
• Why is my Internet Slow?

Skip to main content Sign in with Microsoft Sign in or create an account. Hello, Select a different account. You have multiple accounts Choose the account you want to sign in with. Related topics Network and Internet Get Started

• Essential Network Settings
• Connect to Wi-Fi
• Connect to VPN
• Mobile Hotspot
• Use Proxy Server
• Metered Connections

More about Wireless Networks

• Setting up a Wireless Network
• Faster Wi-Fi
• Wi-Fi and Home Layout

File Sharing

• Nearby Sharing
• File Sharing over Network

Cellular Data Settings

• Cellular Settings
• Use an eSIM to get Cellular Data
• Add Device to Mobile Data Plan

Troubleshooting

• Fix Ethernet Problems
• Fix Wi-Fi Problems
• Fix Nearby Sharing Problems
• Fix Connectivity Problems during Setup
• Wireless Network Report
• Why is my Internet Slow?

Applies ToWindows 10 Windows 11 Windows 11Windows 10

Nearby sharing in Windows lets you share documents, photos, links to websites, and more with nearby devices by using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can share files between PCs that are running Windows.

Notes: 

• If the PC you're sharing from is running the latest version of Windows 11, you can share over Wi-Fi if the Windows 10/11 PC you’re sharing to is connected to the same private Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, you can share over Bluetooth.

• To share files with a PC that’s running Windows 10, it must be running Windows 10 version 1803 or later. To find out which version of Windows you have installed, see Which Windows operating system am I running?​​​​​​​

Turn on Nearby Sharing

To turn on Nearby Sharing, follow these steps on both devices — the device you're sharing from and the device you're sharing to.

1. Select Start , and then select Settings  > System  > Nearby sharing .

2. Under Nearby sharing, choose the devices you want to be able to share or receive content from.

   Note: If you choose Everyone nearby, the Bluetooth MAC address and name of your PC are made available to other devices around you so you can share with other PCs nearby. This info could be used to link your PC to you.

3. To change the place where files you receive are stored, under Save files I receive to, select Change, choose a new location, and then select Select folder.

Share things

Share a document

1. On the PC you’re sharing from, select Start , and then select Settings  > System  > Nearby sharing . Choose whether you’d like to be able to share and receive files with everyone, or only your own devices (where you are logged in with your Microsoft account). Do the same thing on the PC you’re sharing to.

2. On the PC that has the document you want to share, select Search , type file explorer in the search box, and then select the document you want to share.

3. In File Explorer, select the file you want to share, then select Share from the toolbar at the top.

   Tip: There's another way to share—right-click (or select and hold) the file you want to share, then select Share from the shortcut menu.

4. Select the name of the device you want to share with.

5. On the device you’re sharing with, select Save & open or Save when the notification appears.

Share a link to a website

1. On the PC you’re sharing from, select Start , and then select Settings  > System  > Nearby sharing . Choose whether you’d like to be able to share and receive files with everyone, or only your own devices (where you are logged in with your Microsoft account). Do the same thing on the PC you’re sharing to.

2. On the PC you want to share from, open Microsoft Edge , and then go to the webpage you want to share.

3. In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more  > Share  > Windows share options , and then select the name of the device you want to share with.

4. On the device you’re sharing with, select Open when the notification appears to open the link in your web browser.

Share a picture

1. On the PC you’re sharing from, select Start , and then select Settings  > System  > Nearby sharing . Choose whether you’d like to be able to share and receive files with everyone, or only your own devices (where you are logged in with your Microsoft account). Do the same thing on the PC you’re sharing to.

2. On the PC that has the photo you want to share, open the Photos app, select the picture you want to share, select See more  > Share , and then select the name of the device you want to share with.

3. On the device you’re sharing the photo to, select Save & open or Save when the notification appears.

Support for Windows 10 has ended on October 14, 2025

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Learn more

Nearby sharing in Windows lets you share documents, photos, links to websites, and more with nearby devices by using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can share files between PCs that are running Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Note: To use nearby sharing on your Windows 10 PC, it must be running Windows 10 version 1803 or later. To find out which version of Windows you have installed, see Which Windows operating system am I running?

Turn on Nearby Sharing

To turn on Nearby Sharing, follow these steps on both devices — the device you're sharing from and the device you're sharing to.

1. Select the Start  button, and then select Settings  > System  > Shared experiences.

2. For I can share or receive content from, choose the devices you want to be able to share or receive content from.

   Note: If you choose Everyone nearby, the Bluetooth MAC address and name of your PC are made available to other devices around you so you can share with other PCs nearby. This info could be used to link your PC to you.

3. To change the place where files you receive are stored, under Save files I receive to, select Change, choose a new location, and then select Select folder.

Share things

Share a document

1. On the PC you’re sharing from, on the right end of the taskbar, select action center  > Nearby sharing and make sure it’s turned on. Do the same thing on the PC you’re sharing to.

2. On the PC that has the document you want to share, open File Explorer , and find the document you want to share.

3. In File Explorer, select the file you want to share, then select Share from the toolbar at the top.

   Note: You can also select Share by right-clicking (or long-pressing) the file you wish to share and selecting it from the context menu.

4. Select the name of the device you want to share with.

5. On the device you’re sharing with, select Save & open or Save when the notification appears.

Share a link to a website

1. On the PC you’re sharing from, on the right end of the taskbar, select action center  > Nearby sharing and make sure it’s turned on. Do the same thing on the PC you’re sharing to.

2. On the PC you want to share from, open Microsoft Edge , and then go to the webpage you want to share.

3. In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more  > Share , and then select the name of the device you want to share with.

4. On the device you’re sharing with, select Open when the notification appears to open the link in your web browser.

Share a picture

1. On the PC you’re sharing from, on the right end of the taskbar, select action center  > Nearby sharing and make sure it’s turned on. Do the same thing on the PC you’re sharing to.

2. On the PC that has the photo you want to share, open the Photos  app, select the picture you want to share, select Share , and then select the name of the device you want to share with.

3. On the device you’re sharing the photo to, select Save & open or Save when the notification appears.

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