Using WiFi Direct on Windows 10 PC/Computer (Easy Guide)

WiFi Direct on Windows 10 is an amazing wireless connection system that makes connecting devices easy.

Wireless data sharing is among those things that we already delight in, but not always in the way we want to have it. Sharing Windows files and folders on a home network so that information can be quickly reached from a second gadget is reasonably simple, but sending data directly from one gadget to another isn’t.

What is WiFi Direct on Windows 10

You can think of WiFi Direct as a sort of Bluetooth over WiFi. That is, it has the same “find and send out” performance of Bluetooth, but the information is sent out utilizing wireless networking, which consequently provides a higher speed for your file transfer.

Bluetooth has been around because of 1994, and although useful for transmitting audio and connecting devices (such as game controllers) it isn’t really perfect for moving bigger files. WiFi Direct has this particular problem covered.

Using WiFi Direct on Windows 10 PC/Laptop

WiFi Direct is supported on Windows 10 IoT Core gadgets through making use of a WiFi Direct enabled USB WiFi adapter. To make sure that WiFi Direct is allowed two things have to hold true:

• The hardware of the USB WiFi adapter needs to support WiFi Direct.
• The matching chauffeur of the USB WiFi adapter needs to support WiFi Direct.

WiFi Direct offers a service for WiFi device-to-device connection without the requirement for either a Wireless Access Point (cordless AP) to set up the connection. Take an appearance at the UWP APIs available in the Windows.Devices.WiFiDirect namespace to see exactly what you can do with WiFiDirect.

WiFi Direct Windows 10

Wi-Fi Direct is accreditation from the non-profit Wi-Fi Alliance that allows devices to connect straight to each other without the requirement for a cordless router.

The accreditation went reside in 2010 -with some produces supplying a pre-certification variation of the technology- however, most computer system makers stopped providing the tool in PCs by 2013 because other devices are capable of producing a Wi-Fi Direct network and computers can develop a similar ad-hoc network to achieve the exact same function.

What does WiFi Direct do?

WiFi Direct becomes a process to communicate using wireless connectivity, very much like Bluetooth. WiFi Direct offers a simple and easier way to find nearby devices and then connect to those devices.

For example, you will be capable of connecting your PC/computer to any device you want and enjoy faster wireless connectivity. You can easily manage to transfer large amounts of data.

How does WiFi Direct work?

You can guess of Wi-Fi Direct as a sort of Bluetooth over Wi-Fi. It has the very much same “discover and sends” functionality of Bluetooth, but the data is sent using wireless connectivity. So, these features offer higher speeds for file transferring.

Nowadays, Wi-Fi Direct is not yet as universal as Bluetooth. However, it is a handy feature for transferring extensive data between Windows 10 and other suitable devices.

WiFi Direct for PC/Laptop - Windows Wireless File Transfer That’s Faster Than Bluetooth

Wireless file sharing has made rapid strides over the past decades. Thanks to NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, files can be moved from one device to another with little effort.

Windows 10 comes with the Wi-Fi Direct feature, a wireless connectivity system that helps to hook devices effortlessly. Want to move file/data from PC to laptop? Need to setup wireless printing? Connect your phone to your computer? It’s easily done.

 

How to use Wi-Fi Direct Windows 10

The Best Ways to Set Up Wi-Fi Direct using a PC/Computer

WiFi Direct Windows 10 lets its users feel the same WiFi connectivity that many other devices are using. With this feature, you can set your computer to the TV or use it for Internet connectivity that has much better security.

In fact, the WiFi Direct feature lets you connect any device to your PC much better and easier than Bluetooth.

How to check if your Windows 10 PC is Wi-Fi Direct Compatible

Nowadays, using a Wi-Fi Direct feature to send a file is simple and faster than using Bluetooth. First, you’ll need to check that your device is Wi-Fi Direct compatible. You can do it by following these steps:

1. Open command prompt in the PC by going to Windows 10 Search (pressing WIN+R), type cmd (entering CMD to open the Command Prompt).
2. Type the command as: ipconfig/all

You should see an entry labeled “Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter” if Wi-Fi Direct is available. Next, you can start transferring data over Wi-Fi Direct.

WiFi Direct Setup - Connect Gadget to PC using WiFi Direct

Follow this step-by-step tutorial to WiFi Direct setup:

1. Power on the gadget you desire to connect to your PC/computer.
2. Go to Settings, Network, and Internet, and then select Manage WiFi Settings.
3. Browse through the menu to discover the Wi-Fi Direct alternative. Enable Wi-Fi Direct per the instructions for your gadget.
4. Note the network name (SSID) and the passcode. Remember it!
5. Power on your PC. Gain Access To the Windows Charms bar, click “Search” and type “Wireless.” Then select “Manage Wireless Networks” from the available options.
6. Click “Add,” pick the name of the Wi-Fi network produced by your Wi-Fi Direct device and enter the passcode (remember note in the step 4). Finally your PC/computer is now connected to the Wi-Fi Direct network.

By using the steps above, you can transfer files from PC to Android WiFi Direct.

WiFi Direct Printer - How to connect WiFi Direct Enabled Printers for printing/file sharing

If a printer has the Wifi Direct function, you can connect a wifi device to the printer without an access point. Because the printer becomes an access point, then other devices can become wireless terminals. Once we already know the steps to connect to any Wifi Direct mobile, for the printer, it is much easier.

Follow this tutorial to connect Wifi Direct Enabled Printer:

1. Make sure the printer is powered on and ready to use.
2. Go to the printer and enter the wifi setup menu, depending on your printer.
3. Select Wifi Direct Setup, and then Connection Setup.
4. Follow the instructions on the printer’s screen, and then press Proceed or OK.
5. Check the SSID displayed on the printer’s screen. If it is not displayed, press OK.
6. On your computer, go to Start and then Settings.
7. Click on the option “Printer and Scanners” and then select the option “Add a Printer or Scanner.”
8. Select the option “Show Wifi Direct Printers” and then search for and select the SSID with your computer.
9. Enter the displayed password into the wifi settings of your computer. If it is not displayed on the printer’s screen, press OK.
10. The process of the Wifi Direct setup is done.

Windows 10 WiFi Direct Transfer Data

Utilizing WiFi Direct to send a file is more or less as simple as utilizing Bluetooth, you will be pleased to understand. First, you’ll have to check that your device is WiFi Direct-compatible. You can do this by pressing WIN+R, entering cmd to open the Command Prompt (which you need to be using more than you are most likely) then type ipconfig/all.

How to use WiFi Direct to transfer files?

Keep in mind that due to the relative immaturity of the procedure, WiFi Direct file transfers cannot be completed without a third celebration app. Several apps are available for Windows. However, you’ll probably wish to get going with a free choice.

With your Windows computer system linked to your cordless network, and the device you mean to send out data to also connected, introduce the Feem app on both. You need to see your network name with a list of gadgets with default names designated (these can be edited). There might likewise be a requirement to define the folder that downloads (data sent out to your gadget) needs to be saved in; this alternative can be discovered in the Settings screen.

To send a file, click or tap the browse button, a box with a right-pointing arrow within. You will then have the ability to search your files, choose one to send and click OK to commence. Seconds later on the data ought to have shown up on your second gadget.

WiFi Direct Android to PC

You will need a third-party app to use Wi-Fi Direct for transferring data between Windows PC and Android devices. Feem is a good software that provides Wi-Fi Direct support for Windows PC and laptop.

Here are the steps:

1. Set Android device as a mobile hotspot in Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & tethering.
2. Connect your Windows PC/computer to the network above.
3. Launch Feem on both Android and on Windows PC too. You will notice that both devices are given names by the app and a password. Keep a note of the password because you will need it to establish the initial connection.
4. To start sending a file from Android to Windows PC using Wi-Fi Direct, choose the destination device and tap Send File. Browse for the file or files and then tap Send.
5. Wait a moment, and the data will be sent to your Windows PC. This method also works in reverse too.

 

How to connect WiFi Direct Samsung TV

Make sure that both the Samsung smart TV and mobile devices must have WiFi Direct feature to work. A simple method to tell if your TV has WiFi Direct is if you have the WiFi Direct option in your settings. The WiFi Direct option on most Samsung mobile devices will be in the Share menu.

How to setup WiFi Direct on Samsung smart TV? follow the steps below:

1. Enable WiFi Direct on your Samsung TV by selecting Menu > Network > WiFi Direct.
2. Enable WiFi Direct on the mobile device. The smart TV will automatically scan for and displays a list of available devices. The smart TV name will also appear on the mobile device.
3. From the list, select the device to initiate a connection. If the TV makes a connection request, then a permission message will appear on the mobile device and smart TV.
4. Accept the connection request for connecting mobile devices and smart TV.

On newer TV models, for instance, the NU series and Q series, all you need to do is turn on WiFi Direct from your mobile device and select your smart TV from the available devices list. Then you are set up and ready to go.

1. On your mobile device, go to Settings and then select Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > WiFi Direct.
2. On the WiFi Direct page, there is a list of available devices. Select your TV, and then your mobile device will begin to set up a connection between your mobile device and smart TV.
3. Once the connection has finished, the TV will display a message that your mobile device is connected to your TV.

 

Final Verdict - WiFi Direct for Windows 10

The WiFi Direct feature is still very much underutilized. We can connect to any networking device easily without an internet connection. This technology is farther rising as we can see that almost all the devices in today’s world come with the built-in Wifi Direct feature on it.

So let’s wait and enjoy the other major tech advancements in the coming years. Stay tuned and enjoy reading the upcoming posts in this series.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Wifi Direct Windows 7 available?

Sorry, Wifi Direct not available on Windows 7 PC/computer. Wifi Direct only available on Windows 10.

What is WiFi Direct used for?

This feature is used for data/file transfer between PC and other devices/gadgets.

How to setup Wifi Direct on laptop?

Make sure your laptop is using Windows 10. Then you can setting WiFi Direct on laptop using the same steps as PC. Please see the tutorial above.