Computer

Do you need to use Bluetooth on PC? So you can set it

notification panel

The easiest way to turn Bluetooth on or off is through the Activities Center which we can access by means of the “Windows + A” key combination or by selecting the icon with the shape of a dialog bubble that we find at the left end of the taskbar. Once opened, we locate its icon, for which it will sometimes be necessary to expand the list. Once located, if when clicking on it, it is highlighted, it means that it is on, otherwise it is that it is off.

Activate Bluetooth from Notification Panel

Settings Menu

It is also possible to perform this operation from the Settings menu which we can quickly access using the keyboard shortcut “Windows + I”. Then we click on the “Devices” section. In the new window, in the left column, we make sure that we have the Bluetooth and other devices option checked. On the right side, the Bluetooth button marked in blue means that it is activated, while if it is in white it is deactivated. Click on it to turn it on or off as we see fit.

Add Bluetooth from Settings in Windows 10

Add and manage devices

If we want to add new wireless devices, we can do so by right-clicking on the Bluetooth icon that is activated in the taskbar and selecting Add a Bluetooth device.

Add bluetooth device from taskbar in Windows 10

We can also access the Bluetooth and other devices section found in the Settings menu. In both ways we will get a pop-up window to appear with a list of options from where we can add devices, transfer files through nearby devices, etc.

We click on the button “Add Bluetooth or other device”, which will cause a new pop-up window to appear where we select Bluetooth. We turn on the Bluetooth device that we want to connect and put it in pairing mode. We wait for the device to appear in the list of devices and select it to pair it. Sometimes, depending on the device, we may need to confirm it by means of a PIN that is displayed on the screen.

Add Bluetooth device in Windows 10

Once added, it will be displayed in one of the categories below such as “Mouse, keyboard and pencil”, “Audio” or “Other devices”. If when the time comes we want to remove it completely, just click on the device and then click on “Remove device”.

Remove Bluetooth device in Windows 10

Send or receive files via Bluetooth

With Bluetooth activated, it is possible to share photos, videos or other types of files with other linked devices such as a mobile phone, a tablet or another computer. To do this, once linked we must click on the option “Send or receive files via Bluetooth” from the Settings panel.

Send or receive files via Bluetooth in Windows 10 Settings

Likewise, we can do this same operation even faster by right-clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar and selecting the option “Send file” or “Receive file”.

Send file from Bluetooth button in Windows 10

Once this is done, the file transfer wizard will open and we only have to select the device to which we want to send the file in case there are several available. We select, for example, the mobile and all that remains is to choose the file and send it, to later accept it on the receiving device.

Bluetooth file transfers in Windows 10

Join a personal area network

A Bluetooth personal area network is a technology that allows us to create an Ethernet network with wireless links between mobile computers, cell phones, and laptops. The quickest way to join a network is by right-clicking the Bluetooth icon on the taskbar and selecting the Join Personal Area Network option.

Another way to do it is to access it from the Control Panel. To do this we write control panel in the search box of the Start menu and select it. Later we access the Hardware and devices section, we click on Devices and printers, and finally on “Bluetooth Personal Area Network Devices”.

Join a personal area network in Windows 10

One way or another, a window will appear where we can select the device with which we want to make the connection. We click on it with the right button, select connect using and click on direct connection or access point.

Manage from Windows 11

As would not be expected otherwise, the new Microsoft operating system has full compatibility with Bluetooth technology, so that we can connect and pair any compatible device such as mobile phones, headphones, microphones, etc.

Turn on and turn off

In order to connect our Bluetooth device with the computer, the first thing we must do is turn it on on the PC, since by default, it is deactivated. For this we have several ways.

quick setup

The quickest way to enable or disable Bluetooth is through the Quick setup. To do this, we must click on the network icon that we find in the taskbar. This will open the Quick Settings where the Wi-Fi, Airplane and Bluetooth buttons are displayed, which is the one that we must click on both to activate and deactivate. Once enabled, the button will turn blue and just below it will say Connected.

Activate Bluetooth in Windows 11 from Quick Settings

Settings Menu

Another option that we have available is by accessing the Settings menu, which we can access using the keyboard shortcut “Windows + I”. Later, in the left panel of Settings, we click on the “Bluetooth and other devices” section. Finally, on the right panel, we find the “Bluetooth” button. If it is blank, the Deactivated message appears next to it, so if we click on it, it will change to blue and show Activated.

Turn on Bluetooth from Settings in Windows 11

Add and remove devices

Once we have Bluetooth enabled in Windows 11 we can configure it so that we can link them with other devices. This is something that we can do by right-clicking on the Bluetooth icon that is activated in the taskbar and selecting “Add a Bluetooth device”.

Add Bluetooth device in Windows 11 from the Taskbar

Another option is to access the “Bluetooth and other devices” section found in the Settings menu. In both ways we will get a pop-up window to appear with a list of options and in the upper part we find a large square with a plus symbol (+) in which it says « Add device«. Click on it and in the new window that appears click on Bluetooth and select the device that we want to pair. Once this is done, a box appears with the linked device right next to the Add device button.

Add a Bluetooth device in Windows 11

If at any time we want to remove it from the list of linked items, just click on the three vertical dots that we find at the top of the device box and then select “Remove device”.

Remove linked device in Windows 11

Send or receive files

One of the most common actions to use Bluetooth is to send and receive files. To do this, being activated and linked to the device with which we are going to make the transfer, simply right-click on the Bluetooth icon on the taskbar and select “Send file” or “Receive file”.

Send file from Bluetooth button in Windows 11

We can also access it from the Settings menu, in the Bluetooth and other devices section, click on Show more devices. We go down to the bottom and click on “Send and receive files via Bluetooth”.

Send or receive files via Bluetooth in Windows 11

Subsequently, the file transfer wizard will open, where we will select if we want to send or receive. If we want to send, we only have to select the device to which we want to send the file in case there are several available. In this case, we choose the mobile, we choose the desired file and we send it. All that remains is for the receiver to accept it from the mobile for the transfer to be completed.

Send files via Bluetooth to mobile in Windows 11

Join a personal area network via Bluetooth

If we want to join a personal area network, the simplest option is to click again on the Bluetooth icon located on the taskbar. In the context menu we select “Join a personal area network.”

Another option is to access the Control Panel, which we can access by pressing the keyboard shortcut “Windows + R”, type Control Panel and press Enter. Later we access “Hardware and device” and “Devices and printers”. Finally, we click on “Bluetooth Personal Area Network Devices”.

Join a personal area network over Bluetooth in Windows 11

Either one way or another we access the screen that interests us where the devices with which to establish the connection will appear. It only remains to right-click on the desired one, select connect via and choose between “Direct connection” or “Access point”.

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