How to Enable and Transfer Using WiFi Direct on Your Computer

For wireless file transfers, Bluetooth is not the only solution. In Windows 10, a quicker solution exists called Wi-Fi Direct. There are more new devices using WiFi Direct these days than ever before. Wi-Fi Direct allows two devices without requiring a wireless router to establish a direct, peer-to-peer WiFi connection.

How to Enable and Transfer Using WiFi Direct on Your Computer

This implies that WiFi is now a way of wirelessly interacting, much like using Bluetooth. In concept, WiFi Direct is similar to WiFi’s ad-hoc mode. WiFi Direct provides an easier way to find nearby devices and connect to those devices, unlike an ad-hoc WiFi connection.

There are plenty of devices that support WiFi Direct (under different names), so here’s what you’ll need to know if you want to know more about WiFi Direct in Windows 10.

What is Wi-Fi Direct?

In order to be compatible with Wi-Fi Direct devices, a Wi-Fi Direct connection requires only one device. For this, Wi-Fi Direct negotiates the link with a Wi-Fi Secure Setup system that assigns a restricted wireless access point to each device.

Wi-Fi Direct allows this device to become a point of access and to connect to other devices. Other devices, even from a different manufacturer, can be a tablet or a PC or a mobile. Pressing a button on one or more of the devices will determine the pairing of other devices with the compliant device.

A new Wi-Fi network that can establish a peer-to-peer connection is then created by the compliant device. The connection allows data transfer between connected devices with minimal configuration requirements.

This process provides all the connected devices with standard Wi-Fi protocols without the requirement for cumbersome set-up procedures to interact with each other. These set-up procedures also exclude the need to specify Wi-Fi passphrases.

Wi-Fi Direct comes with the Wi-Fi Alliance which is the global industry association in charge of certifying the Wi-Fi kit. Thus, the technology of Wi-Fi Direct connection is supported by others and doesn’t require any special hardware.

It Eliminates the Requirement for the Access Point

Wi-Fi Direct connection does not require a wireless access point, thus eliminating the need of a router. It operates like Bluetooth with the only difference between high speed and longer range.

Its speed not only enables faster internet browsing but also file transfers. It simultaneously offers to communicate with one or more devices at a higher speed.

The reason the Wi-Fi Direct device doesn’t require a router or other access points is that it forms its ad-hoc networks, as and when required depending upon the availability of the devices.

It Eliminates the Requirement for an Internet Connection

Wi-Fi Direct offers Wi-Fi without an active internet connection. With the help of Wi-Fi Direct, you can connect various devices such as the printer, mobile, T.V, and another PC.

The connection does not require active internet. With Wi-Fi Direct it is easy to share images, files, and videos from your mobile to your T.V.

It is a Protected Network

Wi-Fi Direct connection uses Wi-Fi Protected Setup and WPA2. As a result, others cannot connect to your network without authorization, and you can prevent unauthorized communications from safeguarding your privacy.

While connecting devices to the compliant device can be done securely in many ways. Physically, it can be done by pressing the button on gadget X and then the same on gadget Y, with pin codes and QR codes.

It Identifies Devices Nearby

Wi-Fi Direct offers Wi-Fi Direct Device Discovery and Service discovery. The compliant device can identify other devices. For example, if you want to print and you select the print option, the device that is connected to the printers will be identified by the compliant device.

It is highly important that this process takes place before you get connected as it would ensure efficient utilization of time.

It supports Wi-Fi Radio

Wi-Fi Direct connection is also a part of the standard Wi-Fi radio. It is not required for manufacturers to add extra radios to their devices. Moreover, Wi-Fi Direct can be made compatible backward.

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  1. Turn on the device you want to connect to your PC.
  2. Navigate to Settings, Network, and Internet, and select Manage WiFi Settings.
  3. Browse through the menu to discover the Wi-Fi Direct alternative. Enable Wi-Fi Direct by following the specific instructions for your device.
  4. Note the network name (SSID) and the passcode. You’ll need them.
  5. Turn on your PC. Access the Windows Charms bar, click “Search” and type “Wireless.” Pick “Manage Wireless Networks” from the options.
  6. Click “Add,” then choose the Wi-Fi network of your Wi-Fi Direct device and enter the passcode. Your PC is now connected to the Wi-Fi Direct network.

The advantages of using WiFi Direct are many. It is easier and more efficient than Bluetooth and can easily handle transferring large amounts of data.

With Wifi Direct, you will be able to connect your PC to any device you want and enjoy faster wireless connectivity and more productivity.

Transfer Files Using WiFi Direct

One of the best uses for WiFi Direct is for file transfers, especially if you have a large number of files. While you could use Bluetooth, transferring large files (or a large number of them) would take much longer than a WiFi Direct connection.

If you have an Android device, the best way to use WiFi Direct is by using the Feem app, which has Windows 10 and Android support.

While WiFi Direct isn’t supported for iPhones and iPads, Feem does use an alternative method for file transfers on those platforms.

  1. To start, download and install the Feem app for your Android device. You’ll also need to install Feem on your Windows PC. Once installed, open Feem on both devices.
  1. On your Android device, tap the Turn on WiFi Direct slider in the Feem app. This will activate the special WiFi Direct ad-hoc hotspot for your Windows device to connect to. The password required to connect to this network will appear in the top-right corner.
  1. On your Windows device, connect to the temporary WiFi network created by your Android device (for instance, DIRECT-mH-Android). You can do this in your Windows Settings menu, or by pressing the WiFi/Network icon on your taskbar and selecting the temporary WiFi network from there.
  1. Once connected, open the Feem app on your Windows PC. Your Android device should be listed in the left-hand menu. You can send files the other way by selecting your Windows PC in the Feem app on Android instead. Select the device in the list on either platform, then select or tap the Send File option at the bottom to begin sending files across.
  1. Once the files have been sent, tap the WiFi Direct is on slider on your Android device to disable the WiFi Direct hotspot and end the connection.

Which option you choose relies on the data that you want to adjust. The fastest option is a USB 3.0 cable with compatible hardware. With Bluetooth coming third, Wi-Fi Direct is close behind.

Wi-Fi direct is a good middle-ground option, but you could opt for a cable instead because it is not as widely available (or known) as Bluetooth.

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