To change the name other people see when you use Nearby Sharing in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Nearby sharing and rename the device from that page. Microsoft’s February 29, 2024 Windows configuration update added the ability to give your device a friendlier name for sharing. The steps below cover the rename itself, the visibility setting that decides who can see that name, and what to check when a nearby PC doesn’t appear.
Rename the PC in Nearby sharing settings
- Select Start, then select Settings.
- Select System, then select Nearby sharing.
- Use the device name control on that page to enter a name that others will recognize, such as your first name plus the model or room, for example “Maya-Laptop-Office”.
- Confirm the change by checking that the new name appears where the page lists your device.
Microsoft’s February 29, 2024 configuration update describes this as a way to give the device “a more friendly name to identify it when sharing” (Microsoft, February 29, 2024 Windows configuration update). Because that update is dated 2024, a PC that has never received it may not show the option in the same place; install current Windows Update first if the control is missing.
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Choose who can see the name
Renaming the PC only matters to people who can discover it. Nearby Sharing’s audience setting controls that. Microsoft’s guide to sharing things with nearby devices says the feature sends documents, photos, links, and other content between nearby PCs over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (Microsoft, Share things with nearby devices in Windows).
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall| Audience setting | Who can see the PC | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone nearby | Nearby devices. Microsoft states that the PC name and Bluetooth MAC address become available to them. | Sharing with a visitor’s device or a PC you don’t own. |
| My devices only | Only PCs signed in with the same Microsoft account. | Moving files between your own computers while limiting visibility. |
The “My devices only” option is the more restricted choice. Pick “Everyone nearby” only for the short time you need it, because your device name and Bluetooth MAC address are visible to any nearby device while it is active.
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Check both PCs when a device does not appear
A renamed PC can still be missing from the sharing list if the setup on either end is wrong. Work through these checks on both computers, in this order:
- Nearby sharing is turned on on both devices in Settings > System > Nearby sharing.
- The audience permits the other person’s device. If the sender uses “My devices only,” the recipient must be signed in with the same Microsoft account.
- Bluetooth is on on both PCs. Nearby Sharing uses Bluetooth as well as Wi-Fi.
- Wi-Fi is on and both PCs are on a network where they can reach each other.
- The devices are close together, with no other device blocking the connection.
If those checks don’t resolve the problem, Microsoft’s troubleshooting article for nearby sharing covers discoverability issues in more detail (Microsoft, Fix problems with nearby sharing in Windows).
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Limits of these instructions
Microsoft’s sources confirm the Settings path for Windows 11 but do not describe how the label or layout may differ across every Windows build, language, or PC. Company-managed PCs can also have policies that hide the control or fix the audience setting. If your screen does not match these steps, look for the Nearby sharing page under System and check with your IT administrator before assuming a setting can be changed.
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Quick reference
- Rename path: Settings > System > Nearby sharing.
- Name change introduced: Microsoft’s February 29, 2024 Windows configuration update.
- Transport: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Visibility: “Everyone nearby” exposes the PC name and Bluetooth MAC address; “My devices only” limits it to your own signed-in PCs.
Sources: Microsoft, February 29, 2024 Windows configuration update; Microsoft, Share things with nearby devices in Windows; Microsoft, Fix problems with nearby sharing in Windows.
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