Watch: Windows 10's Airdrop-like Near Share demoed (video)
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Microsoft is adding a new feature which makes sharing files between Windows 10 PCs easier. It’s similar to AirDrop from MacOS, but is based on Bluetooth, not WiFi, and requires both users to be in Bluetooth range (and obviously, have Bluetooth compatible PCs)
The feature is named Near Share and is currently in Insider builds, and will be coming to the rest of the Windows 10 users in the next release of Windows 10 scheduled for sometime next year.
Microsoft’s Jen Gentleman has uploaded a video demonstrating the feature in action now.
#demo Here’s a look at how Near Share works – sharing a URL vs sharing a local image ? #WindowsInsiders #FastRing pic.twitter.com/JhbOPEvhy4
— Jen Gentleman ? (@JenMsft) November 27, 2017
If you have more than one PC on Windows 10 RS4 Build 17035 and above, you can give it a try yourself.
- Activate Near Share in the Quick Settings Pane. Microsoft has
- Open the app that you want to share from. Microsoft highlights Edge, Photos and File Explorer as examples of apps that you can use Near Share from.
- On the page or app content you want to share, look for the share icon. In file explorer you can find this by right clicking, in photos, it is usually at the top of the screen, etc.
- Select the recipient’s PC. They should receive a notification, which should let them accept your near share request and content.
The feature is currently PC to PC only, but Microsoft is considering adding support for phones at some point in the future.
