Common PC and device terms All about computer memory All about device screens and displays All about graphics processing units (GPUs) All about neural processing units (NPUs) All about processors (CPUs) All about SSD, HDD, and storage types Add a hardware device to a Windows device Safely remove hardware in Windows Check if a Windows 11 device supports Bluetooth Low Energy Audio Connect to a Bluetooth network in Windows How to find Bluetooth settings in Windows Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows Send and receive files over Bluetooth in Windows Supported Bluetooth profiles Turn Bluetooth on or off in Windows What Bluetooth version is on a Windows device How to use the Windows Camera app Manage app permissions for a camera in Windows Manage cameras with Camera settings in Windows 11 Windows Studio Effects Automatically get recommended and updated hardware drivers Microsoft Basic Display Adapter in Windows Get to know the touch keyboard Windows keyboard tips and tricks Change mouse settings Use a pen with Windows Add or install a printer in Windows How to download and install the latest printer drivers Install and use a scanner in Windows Set a default printer in Windows Share a printer as a network printer View a printer's print queue in Windows 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Frequently asked questions Find out how many cores a processor on a Windows device has Windows Arm-based PCs FAQ Enable and disable the touch keyboard in Windows Enable and disable the virtual touchpad in Windows Enable and disable a touchscreen in Windows Fix touchpad problems in Windows Touch gestures for Windows What to try if a touchscreen doesn't work in Windows Bluetooth file sharing allows you to wirelessly send files—such as photos, videos, and documents—between devices like phones, laptops, and PCs. In Windows, you can use Bluetooth to quickly transfer files between nearby devices without cables or an internet connection. To send a file and receive a file from a Windows device, select the appropriate task from the following list: Send a file using Bluetooth Make sure the other device receiving the file is turned on and paired with the Windows device sending the file. For information on pairing the other device with the Windows device, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . Tip The other device doesn't have to be a Windows device. It can be another type of devices such as iOS or Android. Make sure the other device receiving the file is turned on and paired with the Windows device sending the file. For information on pairing the other device with the Windows device, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . The other device doesn't have to be a Windows device. It can be another type of devices such as iOS or Android. Make sure the other device is ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For more information about receiving files via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. Make sure the other device is ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For more information about receiving files via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices . Or Select the following Bluetooth & devices > Devices shortcut: Open Bluetooth & devices > Devices On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices . Select the following Bluetooth & devices > Devices shortcut: Open Bluetooth & devices > Devices In the Bluetooth & devices > Devices window, under Related settings , select Send or receive files via Bluetooth . Note If the option Send or receive files via Bluetooth doesn't exist under Related settings , the Windows device might not have a Bluetooth adapter. If the Windows device does have a Bluetooth adapter, the drivers for the Bluetooth adapter might not be installed. In the Bluetooth & devices > Devices window, under Related settings , select Send or receive files via Bluetooth . If the option Send or receive files via Bluetooth doesn't exist under Related settings , the Windows device might not have a Bluetooth adapter. If the Windows device does have a Bluetooth adapter, the drivers for the Bluetooth adapter might not be installed. In the Bluetooth File Transfer window that opens: In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Send files . In the Select where to send your files page, select the device to share the file with, and then select the Next button. Note If the other device receiving the file isn't visible, make sure the other device is turned on and in range of the Windows device sending the file. If the option Use authentication is grayed out, the Windows device is paired with the other device. However, if the option Use authentication is available and not grayed out, the Windows device might not be paired with the other device. Proceed with this option selected to attempt to pair the two devices. Otherwise, for more information, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . In the Select the files to send page, select the Browse button , browse to and select the file to send, and then select the Next button. The file begins to transfer and The file is being sent page appears. The file is being sent page displays the progress of the file being sent to the other device. Note If the message Bluetooth file transfer not completed appears instead, the other device might not be ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article for more information. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website for more information on how to prepare the device to receive files via Bluetooth. Once the file transfer is complete, the File successfully transferred page appears. Select the Finish button. In the Bluetooth File Transfer window that opens: In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Send files . In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Send files . In the Select where to send your files page, select the device to share the file with, and then select the Next button. Note If the other device receiving the file isn't visible, make sure the other device is turned on and in range of the Windows device sending the file. If the option Use authentication is grayed out, the Windows device is paired with the other device. However, if the option Use authentication is available and not grayed out, the Windows device might not be paired with the other device. Proceed with this option selected to attempt to pair the two devices. Otherwise, for more information, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . In the Select where to send your files page, select the device to share the file with, and then select the Next button. If the other device receiving the file isn't visible, make sure the other device is turned on and in range of the Windows device sending the file. If the option Use authentication is grayed out, the Windows device is paired with the other device. However, if the option Use authentication is available and not grayed out, the Windows device might not be paired with the other device. Proceed with this option selected to attempt to pair the two devices. Otherwise, for more information, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . In the Select the files to send page, select the Browse button , browse to and select the file to send, and then select the Next button. In the Select the files to send page, select the Browse button , browse to and select the file to send, and then select the Next button. The file begins to transfer and The file is being sent page appears. The file is being sent page displays the progress of the file being sent to the other device. Note If the message Bluetooth file transfer not completed appears instead, the other device might not be ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article for more information. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website for more information on how to prepare the device to receive files via Bluetooth. The file begins to transfer and The file is being sent page appears. The file is being sent page displays the progress of the file being sent to the other device. If the message Bluetooth file transfer not completed appears instead, the other device might not be ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article for more information. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website for more information on how to prepare the device to receive files via Bluetooth. Once the file transfer is complete, the File successfully transferred page appears. Select the Finish button. Once the file transfer is complete, the File successfully transferred page appears. Select the Finish button. Receive a file using Bluetooth Make sure the other device that is sending a file is paired with the Windows device receiving the file. For information on pairing the other device with the Windows device, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . Tip The other device doesn't have to be a Windows device. It can be another type of devices such as iOS or Android.

Make sure the other device that is sending a file is paired with the Windows device receiving the file. For information on pairing the other device with the Windows device, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . The other device doesn't have to be a Windows device. It can be another type of devices such as iOS or Android. On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices . Or Select the following Bluetooth & devices > Devices shortcut: Open Bluetooth & devices > Devices On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices . Select the following Bluetooth & devices > Devices shortcut: Open Bluetooth & devices > Devices In the Bluetooth & devices > Devices window, under Related settings , select Send or receive files via Bluetooth . Note If the option Send or receive files via Bluetooth doesn't exist under Related settings , the Windows device might not have a Bluetooth adapter. If the Windows device does have a Bluetooth adapter, the drivers for the Bluetooth adapter might not be installed. In the Bluetooth & devices > Devices window, under Related settings , select Send or receive files via Bluetooth . If the option Send or receive files via Bluetooth doesn't exist under Related settings , the Windows device might not have a Bluetooth adapter. If the Windows device does have a Bluetooth adapter, the drivers for the Bluetooth adapter might not be installed. In the Bluetooth File Transfer window that opens: In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Receive files . The Waiting for a connection page appears. Initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth on the other device. For more information on how to initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Send a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. Once the other device initiates the file transfer via Bluetooth, The file is being received page appears. The file is being received page displays the progress of the file being received from the other device. Once the file transfer via Bluetooth is complete, the Save the received file page appears. Accept the default location where the file is being saved or use the Browse button to select a different location. Once finished, select the Finish button. In the Bluetooth File Transfer window that opens: In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Receive files . In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Receive files . The Waiting for a connection page appears. Initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth on the other device. For more information on how to initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Send a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. The Waiting for a connection page appears. Initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth on the other device. For more information on how to initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Send a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. Once the other device initiates the file transfer via Bluetooth, The file is being received page appears. The file is being received page displays the progress of the file being received from the other device. Once the other device initiates the file transfer via Bluetooth, The file is being received page appears. The file is being received page displays the progress of the file being received from the other device. Once the file transfer via Bluetooth is complete, the Save the received file page appears. Accept the default location where the file is being saved or use the Browse button to select a different location. Once finished, select the Finish button. Once the file transfer via Bluetooth is complete, the Save the received file page appears. Accept the default location where the file is being saved or use the Browse button to select a different location. Once finished, select the Finish button. 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. Send a file using Bluetooth Make sure the other device that is receiving the file is turned on and paired with the Windows device sending the file. For information on pairing the other device with the Windows device, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . Tip The other device doesn't have to be a Windows device. It can be another type of devices such as iOS or Android. Make sure the other device that is receiving the file is turned on and paired with the Windows device sending the file. For information on pairing the other device with the Windows device, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . The other device doesn't have to be a Windows device. It can be another type of devices such as iOS or Android. Make sure the other device is ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For more information about receiving files via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. Make sure the other device is ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For more information about receiving files via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Devices . Or Select the following Bluetooth & other devices shortcut: Open Bluetooth & other devices On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Devices . Select the following Bluetooth & other devices shortcut: Open Bluetooth & other devices In the Bluetooth & other devices window, under Related settings , select Send or receive files via Bluetooth . Note If the option Send or receive files via Bluetooth doesn't exist under Related settings , the Windows device might not have a Bluetooth adapter. If the Windows device does have a Bluetooth adapter, the drivers for the Bluetooth adapter might not be installed. In the Bluetooth & other devices window, under Related settings , select Send or receive files via Bluetooth . If the option Send or receive files via Bluetooth doesn't exist under Related settings , the Windows device might not have a Bluetooth adapter. If the Windows device does have a Bluetooth adapter, the drivers for the Bluetooth adapter might not be installed. In the Bluetooth File Transfer window that opens: In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Send files . In the Select where to send your files page, select the device to share the file with, and then select the Next button. Note If the other device receiving the file isn't visible, make sure the other device is turned on and in range of the Windows device sending the file. If the option Use authentication is grayed out, the Windows device is paired with the other device. However, if the option Use authentication is available and not grayed out, the Windows device might not be paired with the other device. Proceed with this option selected to attempt to pair the two devices. Otherwise, for more information see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . In the Select the files to send page, select the Browse button , browse to and select the file to send, and then select the Next button. The file begins to transfer and The file is being sent page appears. The file is being sent page displays the progress of the file being sent to the other device. Note If the message Bluetooth file transfer not completed appears instead, the other device might not be ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article for more information. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website for more information on how to prepare the device to receive files via Bluetooth. Once the file transfer is complete, the File successfully transferred page appears. Select the Finish button. In the Bluetooth File Transfer window that opens: In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Send files . In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Send files . In the Select where to send your files page, select the device to share the file with, and then select the Next button. Note If the other device receiving the file isn't visible, make sure the other device is turned on and in range of the Windows device sending the file. If the option Use authentication is grayed out, the Windows device is paired with the other device. However, if the option Use authentication is available and not grayed out, the Windows device might not be paired with the other device. Proceed with this option selected to attempt to pair the two devices. Otherwise, for more information see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . In the Select where to send your files page, select the device to share the file with, and then select the Next button. If the other device receiving the file isn't visible, make sure the other device is turned on and in range of the Windows device sending the file. If the option Use authentication is grayed out, the Windows device is paired with the other device. However, if the option Use authentication is available and not grayed out, the Windows device might not be paired with the other device. Proceed with this option selected to attempt to pair the two devices. Otherwise, for more information see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . In the Select the files to send page, select the Browse button , browse to and select the file to send, and then select the Next button. In the Select the files to send page, select the Browse button , browse to and select the file to send, and then select the Next button. The file begins to transfer and The file is being sent page appears. The file is being sent page displays the progress of the file being sent to the other device. Note If the message Bluetooth file transfer not completed appears instead, the other device might not be ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article for more information. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website for more information on how to prepare the device to receive files via Bluetooth. The file begins to transfer and The file is being sent page appears. The file is being sent page displays the progress of the file being sent to the other device. If the message Bluetooth file transfer not completed appears instead, the other device might not be ready to receive files via Bluetooth. For Windows devices, see the section Receive a file using Bluetooth in this article for more information. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website for more information on how to prepare the device to receive files via Bluetooth. Once the file transfer is complete, the File successfully transferred page appears. Select the Finish button. Once the file transfer is complete, the File successfully transferred page appears. Select the Finish button. Receive a file using Bluetooth Make sure the other device that is sending a file is paired with the Windows device receiving the file. For information on pairing the other device with the Windows device, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . Tip The other device doesn't have to be a Windows device. It can be another type of devices such as iOS or Android. Make sure the other device that is sending a file is paired with the Windows device receiving the file. For information on pairing the other device with the Windows device, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows . The other device doesn't have to be a Windows device. It can be another type of devices such as iOS or Android. On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Devices . Or Select the following Bluetooth & other devices shortcut: Open Bluetooth & other devices On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Devices . Select the following Bluetooth & other devices shortcut: Open Bluetooth & other devices In the Bluetooth & other devices window, under Related settings , select Send or receive files via Bluetooth . Note If the option Send or receive files via Bluetooth doesn't exist under Related settings , the Windows device might not have a Bluetooth adapter. If the Windows device does have a Bluetooth adapter, the drivers for the Bluetooth adapter might not be installed. In the Bluetooth & other devices window, under Related settings , select Send or receive files via Bluetooth . If the option Send or receive files via Bluetooth doesn't exist under Related settings , the Windows device might not have a Bluetooth adapter. If the Windows device does have a Bluetooth adapter, the drivers for the Bluetooth adapter might not be installed. In the Bluetooth File Transfer window that opens: In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Receive files . The Waiting for a connection page appears. Initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth on the other device. For more information on how to initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Send a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. Once the other device initiates the file transfer via Bluetooth, The file is being received page appears. The file is being received page displays the progress of the file being received from the other device. Once the file transfer via Bluetooth is complete, the Save the received file page appears. Accept the default location where the file is being saved or use the Browse button to select a different location. Once finished, select the Finish button. In the Bluetooth File Transfer window that opens: In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Receive files . In the Transfer files using Bluetooth page, select Receive files . The Waiting for a connection page appears. Initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth on the other device. For more information on how to initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Send a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. The Waiting for a connection page appears. Initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth on the other device. For more information on how to initiate the file transfer via Bluetooth: For Windows devices, see the section Send a file using Bluetooth in this article. For other types of devices, see the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. Once the other device initiates the file transfer via Bluetooth, The file is being received page appears. The file is being received page displays the progress of the file being received from the other device. Once the other device initiates the file transfer via Bluetooth, The file is being received page appears. The file is being received page displays the progress of the file being received from the other device. Once the file transfer via Bluetooth is complete, the Save the received file page appears. Accept the default location where the file is being saved or use the Browse button to select a different location. Once finished, select the Finish button. Once the file transfer via Bluetooth is complete, the Save the received file page appears. Accept the default location where the file is being saved or use the Browse button to select a different location. Once finished, select the Finish button. Thank you for your feedback!