6 ways to share files locally on Windows 11

by Edward Harper December 23, 2024

When you think of sharing files these days, there's a good chance your mind goes to internet-based services and cloud storage, with products like OneDrive or WeTransfer. But many times, you may want to share files with people in the same room or space as you, and the internet isn't the fastest or most convenient option.

Local file sharing still has big benefits, such as not needing an internet connection and generally faster speeds. Plus, if you're uploading to a cloud storage service, you then have to be more careful to manage how much space you're using, so sending files locally can make things a bit easier for you. As such, we've compiled a few ways you can share files locally on Windows 11, so you don't have to depend on the internet.

Bluetooth

It technically is an option

Sharing files over Bluetooth on Windows is not the best idea, but you have to give it credit it is one of the methods available. Windows doesn't have the best Bluetooth stack around, and just getting to the Bluetooth settings is a bit of a pain, but you can make it work. First off, make sure Bluetooth is turned on on both devices, then follow these steps:

Select a file (or files) you want to share in File Explorer and choose Show more options (alternatively, hold the Shift key while right-clicking to open the advanced menu).
In the classic context menu, choose Send to > Bluetooth device.

Screenshot of Windows 11 File Explorer showing the context menu option to send a file over Bluetooth
Choose the device you want to send to, and click Next.

Screenshot of the Window 11 dialog for sending files over Bluetooth
If it's the first time sending a file to this device, you'll need to confirm the pairing code, and then the file will send.

Now, if the device that's receiving the file is also a Windows PC, it gets a little more complicated. Here's what you need to do:

Open the Settings app and choose Bluetooth & devices from the side menu.
Click View more devices, or simply Devices.

Screenshot of Windows 11 Bluetooth and device settings with the Devices button highlighted
At the bottom of the page, choose Send or receive files via Bluetooth.

Screenshot of Windows 11 Settings showing the option to send or receive files via Bluetooth
Choose Receive files.
Follow the steps above to start sending the file to the target PC.

Screenshot of Bluetooth devices in the Windows 11 Settings app and Quick Settings panel© Provided by XDA Developers

How to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11

Want to use a Bluetooth device with your PC and you're not sure how? Here's how to turn on and use Bluetooth on Windows 11.

For long-term access

Network rack close in various switches and avr equipment

Using the network sharing feature built into Windows 11 is a better approach if you want to share files with other computers on the network in a continuous way. Rather than sending the file to the destination, network sharing makes files on your computer available to other users, as long as the host computer is on and awake.

Properly setting up a network share can be an involved process, but here's the gist of how it works:

Open File Explorer and go to the Network page in the side bar.
You should see a bar at the top saying network sharing is disabled. Click it and choose Turn on network discovery and file sharing.

Close
If prompted, choose No, make the network I'm connected to a private network.
Now, go to the file or folder you want to share and right-click it, then choose Show more options.
In the classic context menu, choose Give access to > Specific people.

Screenshot of Windows 11 File Explorer showing the option to give other users access to a file
Add the user you want to share files with. It has to be a user that's also on your PC, unless you want to choose the Everyone option.

You can now use another device to access the files you shared on your PC. You may need to turn on network sharing on the guest device if it's another Windows PC.

Screenshot of File Explorer showing a mapped network drive with another window showing the contents of the drive© Provided by XDA Developers

How to map a network drive on Windows 11

If you want to access a folder on another PC on your network, you can map a network drive on Windows 11. Here's how to do it.

For compatible PCs

A recent addition to the list of possibilities is called Thunderbolt Share, and it comes courtesy of Intel. Many PCs with Intel processors have Thunderbolt ports, which offer very high bandwidth, up to 40Gbps (or even more, for Thunderbolt 5). If you have a PC or Thunderbolt dock that's certified for Thunderbolt Share, you can link up two Thunderbolt-enabled PCs and share files using a Thunderbolt cable, and do it at super-fast speeds, too.

To use Thunderbolt Share:

Download and install the Thunderbolt Share app on both PCs (it only supports Windows).
Connect the PCs using a Thunderbolt cable and the Thunderbolt ports on each device. You may also use a compatible dock to enable Thunderbolt Share between PCs without a license.
Launch the app and select the Drag & Drop files option.
Navigate the folders on both PCs and move files around as you please.

Screenshot of the file transfer window in Thunderbolt Share allowing users to move files between two PCs

Devices certified for Thunderbolt Share aren't super common, but docks like the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock are certified, so you can use them to link up any Thunderbolt PC, even if the PCs themselves aren't licensed.

For Windows only

Now we start getting to the more commonly accessible options. Nearby sharing is a feature built right into Windows 11, and it makes it easier to share files with nearby PCs that also support nearby sharing. This relies on Bluetooth and a direct Wi-Fi connection, meaning it doesn't require a functional internet connection. To share files using nearby sharing:

Head into the Settings app
Choose System from the side menu, and head into Nearby sharing.
At the top of the page, choose either My devices only or Everyone nearby, depending on who owns the other PC being linked. Both computers need to do this.

Screenshot of Windows 11 desktop showing nearby sharing settings
Now, navigate to the file or folder you want to share.
Right-click it and choose Share from the menu. Your nearby devices should appear under your email contacts, so simply choose the right one and accept the request on the receiving PC.

Screenshot of the sharing dialog in Windows 11 showing the option to share a file with nearby share

Wait for the file to finish transferring, and you're good to go.

Nearby Share on Windows 11© Provided by XDA Developers

How to use Nearby sharing in Windows 11

If you need a quick way to share files between Windows 11 PCs, Nearby sharing is the way to go. Here's how to use it.

Microsoft may offer its own nearby sharing solution, but if you also want to share files from your phone, Google's Quick Share solution is far better. Quick Share is built into modern Android devices, and for Windows, you can download the app here. Here's how it works:

Install Quick Share on your PC and sign in with your Google account. If you're sharing between PCs, both of them need the app.
Choose whether to make your PC visible to only yourself (your Google account), your contacts, or everyone nearby.

Screenshot of Quick Share from Google on Windows showing the option to choose who can share files with this device
To share files from your PC, simply navigate to where your file is and choose Send with Quick Share.
Pick the target device from the list.

Screenshot of Quick Share from Google while sharing a file with other devices
For the first-time connection, confirm the PIN shown on both devices.
Wait for the transfer to complete.

If you're trying to share files with an Android phone and that phone isn't showing up as an option on your PC, you'll need to go into the phone's settings to make sure the device can be discovered for Quick Share.

Google's Quick Share solution for Windows is better than Microsoft's

Nearby Sharing should have been the best way to share files on Windows, but Microsoft was too slow to capitalize.

LocalSend

It works on everything!

Finally, we have the cream of the crop in terms of compatibility. LocalSend is much like Windows 11's nearby sharing or Quick Share from Google, but it works on basically any device that matters, including Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. Linux is supported, too. Using LocalSend is fairly simple:

Install LocalSend on your platform(s) of choice and launch it on both devices.
On the device sending a file, switch to the Send tab.
Click File, Folder, or one of the other options depending on what you want to share.

Screenshot of the LocalSend app when attempting to send a file
Click the device you want to share the file with.
Accept the request on the receiving device.

Aside from requiring installation on every platform it's on, this is a very straightforward solution, and arguably the easiest one to use. It's also the most widely compatible, so it makes total sense to go with this if you're often dealing with different kinds of devices.

Plenty of options for different use cases

Depending on your situation, almost any of these solutions is a great fit. We wouldn't recommend using Bluetooth unless you're really desperate, but all the other solutions have a purpose and could be a great way to share files in different scenarios. I've personally relied on Quick Share from Google the most, though now that I have a Mac Mini, I may need to turn to LocalSend more frequently.

6 ways to share files locally on Windows 11