How to Use Nearby Sharing in Windows 11

Nearby Sharing is Windows 11’s built-in way to send files, photos, and web links directly to another nearby Windows PC without creating a network share or moving files through a USB drive.

It uses Bluetooth for discovery and can use Wi-Fi for faster transfers in supported situations.

Turn on Nearby Sharing on both PCs

Open Settings > System > Nearby sharing.

Choose one of the available visibility modes:

• My devices only — best when both PCs are your own and use the same Microsoft account.
• Everyone nearby — makes the PC available to other supported nearby Windows devices.

If you choose Everyone nearby, Microsoft notes that the PC name and Bluetooth MAC address are made available to nearby devices for discovery, so leave this mode on only when you need it.

Share a file from File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select the file you want to send.
3. Select Share from the toolbar, or right-click the file and choose Share.
4. Choose the receiving PC under Nearby Sharing.

On the other PC, accept the notification and choose Save or Save & open.

Share a web link

In Microsoft Edge, open the page, use the Share command, and select the nearby Windows device. The receiving computer gets a notification that can open the link in its browser.

Use Wi-Fi for faster transfers

On current Windows 11 versions, Nearby Sharing can use Wi-Fi when the PCs are connected appropriately to the same private Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, transfer may fall back to Bluetooth and be much slower.

For larger files, make sure Wi-Fi is on for both PCs and both are connected to the same trusted private network.

Change where received files are saved

Open Settings > System > Nearby sharing and change Save files I receive to if you do not want every transfer placed in the default location.

What if the other PC does not appear?

Check that Nearby Sharing is enabled, visibility allows the other PC, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on, the machines are physically close enough, and the network profile is Private when using the same Wi-Fi network.

Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance also specifies Bluetooth 4.0 or later with Low Energy support for compatible Nearby Sharing hardware.

Keep “Everyone nearby” temporary

If you only need to receive a file from someone else once, switch to Everyone nearby for the transfer and return to My devices only afterward. That reduces how long your PC advertises itself to unrelated nearby Windows devices.

Nearby Sharing is not Internet file transfer

The receiving PC must be nearby for discovery. If the other person is on another network or in another city, use OneDrive, email, or another Internet sharing service instead.

For very large transfers between PCs on the same desk, a fast wired network or external SSD may still be quicker.

Nearby Sharing or normal network sharing?

Use Nearby Sharing for an occasional direct transfer. Use a shared folder or NAS when multiple people need ongoing access to the same files.

Nearby Sharing is effectively Windows’ “send this to the PC next to me” feature—and for that job, it is much simpler than configuring a permanent share.

Official references

Microsoft Support — Share things with nearby devices in WindowsOfficial reference