What Is WiFi Direct In Windows 10 & 11?

Technology rapidly changes and each new device we acquire has a set of new features that need proper understanding before we use them.

In this guide, we’ll focus on Wi-Fi Direct, a feature that can be helpful in some situations yet many users seem to overlook its benefits.

Want to know more about Wi-Fi Direct in Windows 10? This manual has got you covered.

Let’s get into it.

Wi-Fi Direct Explained

If you want to transfer files to someone else’s device, but without having to go through the procedure of registering an account for cloud-based storage or a file transfer service website and potentially compromising the files’ security, the best option would be a direct transfer.

There are only a few methods to make a direct transfer, like Bluetooth.

But, for transferring larger files with better speed and more stability, most would agree that Bluetooth is just not enough.

Thankfully, WiFi Direct is a superior feature, allowing two devices to connect through a peer-to-peer connection and transfer files with better speed, up to 250 Mbps. Additionally, unlike Bluetooth which has quite a limited distance range before the connection interrupts, WiFi Direct supports a connection within ranges of up to 200 meters, meaning you have much better freedom of moving and still not interrupting the file transfer, screencast, or whatever it is that you’re using this feature for.

Although the name WiFi Direct is immediately associated with the need for a router, you should know that this feature requires no wireless router or access to a nearby WiFi internet connection, as the devices that have this feature can connect directly to each other, without the need of internet or an access point (AP).  

Most modern devices already have the WiFi Direct feature, and chances are that you’ve used it without knowing, as some of the popular services such as Miracast already rely on this technology to allow users to cast their screen on their smart TV screens.

The possibilities are even broader if you use WiFi Direct on Windows, so in the next section, we’ll help you find out whether or not your PC supports this feature.

Is My PC Compatible With WiFi Direct?

If you’re not sure whether your computer is compatible with WiFi Direct and can use that feature, there are ways to check, and we’ll show you how.

1. Simultaneously press the Windows + S buttons on your keyboard to bring up the Windows Search bar.
2.  Type in Windows PowerShell, then right-click the first result and choose Run as Administrator.
   
   
3. You may see a prompt asking for permission to launch the elevated version of the PowerShell app. Choose Yes to grant permission.
4. When the PowerShell panel is open on your screen, type in ipconfig /all and press Enter to execute the command.
   
5. You’ll now see a list of network adapters and connections. If you see Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter on the list, it means your PC supports this feature and can establish WiFi Direct connections.

If you don’t see the WiFi Direct Adapter on the list, you’ll need to acquire and plug in a USB device capable of utilizing the WiFi Direct feature. We cannot say exactly which product to acquire, but there are many choices available on the market, so finding one shouldn’t be difficult.

Setting Up WiFi Direct On Windows 10

To set up and start using WiFi Direct on your Windows 10 PC, follow the steps below:

1. Simultaneously press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Windows Settings Panel.
2. Click Network & Internet, then choose Manage WiFi Settings.
3. Find WiFi Direct on the menu, then enable it based on the instructions specific to your device.
4. Remember or write down the Network Name and Passcode, as you’ll need them to connect your PC later on.
5. Open the Windows Search Bar, type in Manage Wireless Networks, and click on the first result. Choose Add, then select the WiFi Network of your WiFi Direct device and type in the passcode as the final step.

Your PC is now successfully linked to the WiFi Direct network. Feel free to utilize it any way you find it beneficial.

Conclusion

Now you know more about the WiFi Direct feature and its broad use case. Hopefully, this will help you improve your experience the next time you require a feature superior to Bluetooth, whether that’s for transferring files, casting your device’s screen on a Smart TV, or more.

For more information, you can always visit the official WiFi Direct informative webpage and learn more from first-hand information provided by the organization.