How to change Nearby sharing default transfers location on Windows 10

You can specify exactly where transfers will arrive using Nearby sharing on Windows 10, and in this guide, we show you how.

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@Pureinfotech
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Change Near Share receive folder location
Change Near Share receive folder location

Nearby sharing is a feature on Windows 10 that allows you to quickly transfer any file or link wirelessly to nearby devices over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity in the local network.

This is a very convenient feature when you need to send a report that you’re presenting to your boss, or share a picture with the person sitting next to you without the need to use email attachments or configuring file sharing on Windows 10.

If you enable this feature, every file you receive from other devices will automatically be stored in the Downloads folder. However, if you prefer to change this location to another folder or driver, you can use the Settings app to select another path to store received files.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to select another location to receive files using Nearby sharing on Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803).

Note: If Nearby sharing isn’t working on Windows 10, you can troubleshoot and fix any problem using this guide.

How to change Nearby sharing transfers folder location

In order to use a different location to save files transfers using Nearby sharing, you need to use this steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click on Shared experiences.

  4. Under “Nearby sharing,” click the Change button and select an alternate location to receive files.

    Near Share settings on Windows 10, version 1709
    Nearby sharing settings on Windows 10, version 1709

Once you’ve completed the steps, every time someone sends you a file or link using Nearby sharing, it’ll be stored in the new location.

If you don’t see this option in the Settings app, it’s because you’re not running Windows 10 version 1803 (April 2018 Update) which will become available in 2018.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].