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Windows 11 and Windows 10 include a built-in Bluetooth File Transfer wizard. It can send files to, or receive files from, a paired Bluetooth device without an internet connection.
The important detail is that receiving is not automatic: on a Windows PC, you must open Receive files and leave the window showing Waiting for a connection before starting the transfer from the other device.
Before you start
Check the following before opening the transfer wizard:
- The PC has a working Bluetooth adapter and driver.
- Bluetooth is turned on on both devices.
- The devices are paired and within Bluetooth range.
- The receiving device is ready to accept a Bluetooth file transfer.
- The receiving device supports the Bluetooth file-transfer profile used by Windows.
An internet connection is not required. Bluetooth transfers use the local Bluetooth connection between the devices.
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If Send or receive files via Bluetooth is missing from Windows Settings, the PC may not have Bluetooth hardware, or its adapter driver may not be installed correctly.
Pair a Bluetooth device with Windows
Windows 11
- Put the phone or other device into Bluetooth pairing or discoverable mode.
- Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icon next to the clock.
- Select the Manage Bluetooth devices chevron beside the Bluetooth quick setting.
- Under New devices, select the device.
- Follow the pairing prompts and select Done.
You can also use the full Settings route: Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Turn on the Bluetooth switch, then select the device when it appears.
Windows 10
- Put the other device into Bluetooth pairing or discoverable mode.
- Open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Select the device when it appears.
- Complete the prompts and select Done.
Send a file from Windows 11
- Turn on and unlock, if necessary, the receiving device. Confirm that it is paired with the PC and ready to accept files.
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
- Scroll to Related settings and select Send or receive files via Bluetooth.
- In the Bluetooth File Transfer window, select Send files.
- Select the destination device and select Next.
- On the file-selection page, select Browse.
- Choose the file to send and select Next.
- Wait for The file is being sent, followed by File successfully transferred.
- Select Finish.
If the destination does not appear, check that it is powered on, paired, nearby, and discoverable if necessary. Windows may also display Use authentication. If that option is available, the devices may not be fully paired; leaving it selected allows Windows to attempt pairing during the transfer. When Windows considers the devices already paired, the option is disabled.
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- Make sure the sending device is switched on and paired with Windows.
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
- Under Related settings, select Send or receive files via Bluetooth.
- Select Receive files.
- Leave the Bluetooth File Transfer window open while it displays Waiting for a connection.
- Start sending the file from the other device.
- Windows displays The file is being received while the transfer runs.
- When the transfer completes, review the location shown under Save the received file. Select Browse if you want another folder.
- Select Finish.
Do not start the transfer from the other device before Windows is waiting. Pairing alone does not put the PC into file-receiving mode.
Send or receive a file on Windows 10
Send a file
- Open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Under Related settings, select Send or receive files via Bluetooth.
- Select Send files in the Bluetooth File Transfer window.
- Select the destination device and select Next.
- Select Browse, choose the file, and select Next.
- Wait for File successfully transferred, then select Finish.
Receive a file
- Open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Under Related settings, select Send or receive files via Bluetooth.
- Select Receive files.
- Wait until the window displays Waiting for a connection.
- Start the transfer from the sending device.
- When Save the received file appears, accept the displayed folder or select Browse to choose another location.
- Select Finish.
Open the Bluetooth transfer wizard directly
If you cannot find the Settings link, open the same Windows wizard with its executable:
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- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
%windir%System32fsquirt.exe. - Press Enter.
This is only a shortcut to Bluetooth File Transfer. It does not bypass pairing, the receiving device’s readiness, Bluetooth driver requirements, or device compatibility.
The older Send to > Bluetooth device right-click command may be absent on some Windows installations. Use the Settings route or fsquirt.exe instead.
Fix common Bluetooth file-transfer problems
“Bluetooth file transfer not completed”
The most common cause is that the receiving device was not ready. If the recipient is another Windows PC, open Receive files first and wait for Waiting for a connection. On a phone or another non-Windows device, open the device’s Bluetooth file-receiving function if it has one.
Other possible causes include:
- The devices are not paired or one device is no longer discoverable.
- The devices are too far apart.
- The receiving device has a low battery.
- The receiving device does not support the required Bluetooth file-transfer protocol.
- Bluetooth settings or encryption settings are incompatible.
- The Bluetooth driver is outdated or malfunctioned after a Windows update.
- A policy blocks file transfers.
“Waiting for a connection” never changes
This message means Windows is ready, but it is waiting for the other device to initiate the send operation. Start the transfer on the phone or other sending device after the Windows message appears.
The destination device is not listed
Work through these checks in order:
- Confirm that both devices are powered on.
- Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
- Put the other device into pairing or discoverable mode if it has not been paired.
- Move the devices closer together.
- Remove and pair the device again if pairing did not complete successfully.
Windows 11 has an additional discovery setting. Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices > Device settings. Set Bluetooth devices discovery to Advanced. The default setting shows common Bluetooth devices; Advanced displays all types of Bluetooth devices.
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Bluetooth is missing from Settings
The PC may not contain a Bluetooth adapter, or the adapter may be disabled. Check the computer’s specifications and look for a physical wireless switch. Also check whether Airplane mode is enabled.
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If the PC should have Bluetooth, open Device Manager and look under Bluetooth. Install or reinstall the driver supplied by the PC or adapter manufacturer. A missing or damaged driver can also remove the Bluetooth file-transfer link from Related settings.
The adapter appears, but transfers still fail
- Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter from the Get Help app.
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait about 10 seconds, and turn it on again.
- Remove the paired device and add it again.
- Install available Windows updates.
- Open Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click the adapter—often the entry containing “radio”—and select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If the problem continues, select Uninstall device for the Bluetooth adapter, restart the PC, and let Windows reinstall it.
“File transfer is disabled by policy”
Restrictive file-sharing policies can block transfers. Microsoft also documents a compatibility case involving encryption settings. To change that setting, open Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings, expand All networks, and under File sharing connections choose 40- or 56-bit encryption if the receiving device cannot support Windows’ default 128-bit encryption.
This is a compatibility setting, not a universal solution for Bluetooth failures. Use it only when encryption compatibility is the suspected cause, since weaker encryption is less desirable than the default.
Can you transfer files between Windows and a phone?
It depends on the phone’s operating system, manufacturer, and Bluetooth support. Android devices commonly provide Bluetooth file-transfer controls, but the exact steps differ between Android versions and manufacturers. Pairing the phone does not guarantee that it exposes a file-receiving profile.
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Do not assume that an iPhone supports ordinary Windows Bluetooth file transfer simply because it can pair with a PC. Apple’s documented wireless sharing method is AirDrop, which is designed for transfers among iPhone, iPad, and Mac. For an iPhone and Windows PC, use a transfer method supported by both devices instead of relying on the Windows Bluetooth wizard.
Windows 10 support status
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. The Bluetooth transfer feature remains available on Windows 10, but Microsoft no longer provides normal free Windows Update software updates, technical support, or security fixes for the operating system. If the PC still runs Windows 10, plan an upgrade or use Microsoft’s available support options where applicable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Does Bluetooth file transfer need Wi-Fi or internet access?
No. The transfer uses the Bluetooth connection between the two devices, so an internet connection is not required.
Why can Windows pair with a device but not send a file to it?
Pairing establishes a Bluetooth relationship, but it does not guarantee support for Bluetooth file transfer. The receiving device must support the required file-transfer profile and be ready to accept the file.
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Where do files received by Bluetooth go in Windows?
Windows shows the save location after the transfer finishes under Save the received file. Accept that location or select Browse to choose another folder.
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Can I receive a file just by pairing my PC?
No. Open Send or receive files via Bluetooth, select Receive files, and wait for Waiting for a connection before starting the transfer from the sender.
What is fsquirt.exe?
fsquirt.exe is the Windows Bluetooth File Transfer wizard. Press Windows key + R, enter %windir%System32fsquirt.exe, and press Enter to open it directly.
Why is Send or receive files via Bluetooth missing?
The PC may lack a Bluetooth adapter, or its adapter driver may be missing, disabled, or damaged. Check the hardware specifications and Bluetooth entry in Device Manager.
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The Bottom Line
For either Windows version, pair the devices first, then open Send or receive files via Bluetooth from Settings. Use Send files to choose a destination and file. To receive, select Receive files and wait for Waiting for a connection before sending from the other device. If the transfer fails, check readiness, pairing, range, Bluetooth drivers, and whether the other device actually supports Bluetooth file transfer.
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