How to Turn On or Off Nearby Sharing in Windows 10

Nearby sharing is a new feature introduced in Windows 10 that, as the name suggests, makes it easier to share platforms to and from Windows devices. This guide outlines how to configure Nearby Sharing in Windows, as well as what to keep in mind when sending files via Nearby sharing.

Methods to Turn Nearby Sharing On or Off

Nearby sharing can easily be configured either from the Settings menu or the Quick Action console, which will be outlined below followed by more advanced methods.

Method 1: Using Windows Settings

1. Open the Start menu and navigate to Settings
2. Scroll until you find Nearby sharing
3. Nearby sharing should be set to Off by default, but can be changed to My devices only or Everyone nearby

💡 NOTE: You may need administrator privileges to change where the files will be sent. By default, these files will be sent to your Downloads folder when you enable Nearby Sharing in Windows 10.

Method 2: Using Quick Action

1. Open the Windows Action Center by pressing Windows+A
2. Click the Nearby sharing icon and adjust your settings
3. If you cannot find the Nearby sharing icon, do the following:
   1. Click the pencil icon
   2. Select + Add
   3. Select the Nearby sharing icon to add it to your Action Center

Method 3: Using Windows Registry

1. Press Windows + R and type Regedit to open Windows Registry
2. Enter the following path:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CDP
3. Find the value called NearShareChannelUserAuthzPolicy and double-click to edit it, using these values:
   • 0: Off
   • 1: My device only
   • 2: Everyone
4. Find the value called CdpSessionUserAuthzPolicy and double-click to edit it, using the values listed in step 3
5. Find the value called BluetoothLastDisabledNearShare and double-click to edit it, using the values listed in step 3
6. Press OK to close Registry

To disable Nearby sharing using this method, complete steps 1-5 but change the values to the following:

• • Set NearShareChannelUserAuthzPolicy to 0 
  • Set CdpSessionUserAuthzPolicy to 0
  • Set BluetoothLastDisabledNearShare to 0 

💡 NOTE: Make sure to set up a restore point before making any system changes with Windows Registry.

Method 4: Using Group Policy Editor

1. Press Windows + R and type gpedit.msc to open Local Group Policy Editor
2. Enter the following path:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Group Policy
3. Find Continue experiences on this device and double-click to open
4. Click either Enabled or Disabled
5. Press OK

The Basics of Nearby Sharing in Windows 10

Nearby sharing, as mentioned in the introduction, allows Windows devices to send files to each other through Bluetooth and WiFi. This feature bypasses the need for USB drives and third-party software.

There is no file size limit for Nearby Sharing, but keep in mind that sending times may differ depending on the strength of your Bluetooth and WiFi connection.

How To Transfer Files Using Nearby Sharing In Windows 10

Before enabling Nearby Sharing, make sure you and the other person are operating on Windows 10 (Version 1803) or later, and that your PCs have Bluetooth 4.0 enabled.

As the name of the feature suggests, both PCs will have to be nearby for this type of file sharing to work.

You can choose to share to My devices only or Everyone. The My devices only option allows you to share to all devices connected to your computer, as well as any devices connected to a private WiFi network. This makes it one of the best ways to share files between Windows 10 PCs.

To share files, do the following:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Click the Share button from the toolbar, or right-click the file and click Share from the menu that pops up
3. Find the device you want to share with

To share websites, do the following:

1. Open Microsoft Edge 
2. Open Settings and more (the three dots on the upper right of the window)
3. Choose Share, then Windows share options
4. Find the device you want to share with

To share pictures, do the following:

1. Open the Photos app
2. Open the picture you want to share
3. Select See more (the three dots on the upper right of the window), then Share 
4. Find the device you want to share with

If you are receiving a file, you will be notified and asked to either Save or Save & Open.

The Limits of Nearby Sharing

Unlike AirDrop that allows users to share files across Apple devices, Nearby Sharing only works on PCs and laptops.

Furthermore, Nearby Sharing will not work if either device is running a slower version of Windows.

There are also security considerations that come with using Nearby Sharing. While choosing to share with everyone can make it easier to send items, that also means any nearby devices can send files to your PC and will be able to get your device’s Bluetooth MAC address.

🥷 When prompted to receive files, make sure that you recognize the name of the device that is sending the file.

Troubleshooting Common Issues With Nearby Sharing

The first thing to check is that both computers have enabled Nearby Sharing; if both PCs have Nearby Sharing turned on, they may be too far apart.

Other issues to keep in mind are:

• Devices cannot connect via Bluetooth: make sure that both PCs have Bluetooth turned on, otherwise try disconnecting and re-pairing the devices
• Bluetooth transfers are slow: connect both devices to the same WiFi network, which will prioritize Nearby Sharing via WiFi
• Device cannot be found: check your sharing settings and enable Everyone nearby if needed (just make sure to double-check the file name and sending device before accepting)
• Sharing notifications are not appearing: check your Action Center, as the notification may appear there instead of on your screen

Practical Use Cases for Enabling and Disabling Nearby Sharing

Nearby Sharing can be useful for sending files within organizations, especially if the organization has its own private WiFi network. Enabling Nearby Sharing removes the need for sending files via email, which can take up time.

⚠️ However, users will have to take extra precautions when working outside of their organization’s network. When working in a public space or through an unsecured WiFi connection, it is best to disable Nearby Sharing in Windows 10.

Learning how to turn on Nearby Sharing in Windows 10 does not require coding know-how, which means all members of an organization can use this feature as they see fit. It is therefore equally important that users know when and how to configure Nearby Sharing to maintain device safety.