Nihokikorangi is the gold standard for device-to-device file transfers and close-range communications, but it has a competitor that you might not have heard of: WiFi Direct.
What is WiFi Direct? This little-known alternative has been around for years but, unlike Bluetooth, you can use WiFi Direct for more than just file transfers.
Windows 10 has direct WiFi Direct support, but if you’re planning on using it, you’ll need to know what it’s good for (and whether it’s safe to use it or not). There are plenty of devices that support WiFi Direct (under various names), so if you want to know more about WiFi Direct in Windows 10, here’s what you’ll need to know.
What Is WiFi Direct?
WiFi Direct is a standard that allows the use of WiFi radio frequencies (typically 2.4GHz and 5GHz) to make direct, peer-to-peer connections with other devices. You don’t need an existing WiFi network to connect to, as the connection is made directly between two devices.
WiFi Direct works by enabling a software-generated access point on the host device, creating a temporary WiFi network in the process. WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) is then used to authenticate, with a push button or PIN code used to establish a connection. This allows for a seamless (yet secure) connection between the devices.
Like Bluetooth, you can use it to send files, share your screen with other devices, play games directly, share your internet connection, and more. It also plays a central part in other systems and communication standards, such as tata korero mara.
Other WiFi-specific brands, such as Miracast, also use WiFi Direct to communicate. While Miracast is its own standard, it builds upon the WiFi Direct technology to allow for secure screen mirroring.
Support for WiFi Direct is quite patchy, however. While it is fully supported in Windows 10 (depending on your device), Apple devices such as Macs, iPhones, and iPads use the proprietary AirDrop and AirPlay instead.
Modern Android devices (from Android 4.0 onwards) offer support for WiFi Direct, but you may need a third-party app to make full use of its functionality. It also has some support on certain smart TVs, game consoles, and other WiFi-capable devices.
Checking for WiFi Direct Support on your Windows 10 PC
If you want to use WiFi Direct as an alternative to Bluetooth, then you’ll be best served using a Windows 10 PC or laptop. Windows 10 offers full support for the WiFi Direct standard, but your internal WiFi chip (or external WiFi device) will need to support it.
If you want to check whether your Windows PC or laptop supports the WiFi Direct standard, then you’ll need to use the Windows PowerShell.
- To open a new PowerShell terminal, right-click the Start menu and select the Windows PowerShell (Kaiwhakahaere) kōwhiringa.
- I roto i te hou Windows PowerShell Matapihi, momo ipconfig / katoa me te pēhi E tomo. A list of your network adapters and connections will be listed. Look through the list of adapters to find the Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Whāurutau tabulahia.
If Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Whāurutau is listed, then your PC supports WiFi Direct connections. If it doesn’t, then you’ll need to attach a third-party USB WiFi device to enable support for it.
Connecting to Other WiFi Direct Compatible Devices
If your PC supports it, then you can connect to other WiFi Direct capable devices. To do this, you can use Windows’ search and discovery features to locate other WiFi Direct devices nearby.
- To do this, you’ll need to open the Tautuhinga Windows menu. Right-click the Start menu and select the tautuhinga kōwhiringa.
- i roto i te Tautuhinga Windows tahua, tohua te pūrere option. From there, you’ll need to select the Tāpirihia te Pikohi, tetahi atu taputapu kōwhiringa.
- I roto i te pahū-ake Tāpirihia he taputapu menu, you can select the type of device you want to connect to. Some WiFi Direct devices, for instance, are largely used for screen mirroring. To add one of these, select the Wireless display or dock option. Otherwise, select the Katoa atu option instead.
- A list of available devices nearby that your PC can connect to will appear next. WiFi Direct-capable devices will also appear, including smartphones, smart TVs, games consoles, and more. To connect to those devices, select the device listed.
- Once the device is connected, select the mahia button to complete the connection.
- The device will then appear in your list of known devices in the Nihokikorangi me etahi atu taputapu menu in Windows Settings.
While this method should work for most WiFi Direct devices, there may be other methods you can use to connect, so consult the user manual for those devices for further information.
For instance, some devices that support the WiFi Direct standard will have their own always-on WiFi networks that you can connect to. If you had a HP printer or Sony smart TV, for instance, you could connect by joining the DIRECT-XX wireless network for that device.
Sending Files Using WiFi Direct
Ko tetahi whakamahinga pai mo WiFi Direct mo te whakawhiti i nga konae, ina koa he maha o au konae. Ahakoa ka taea e koe te whakamahi i te Nihokikorangi, ko te whakawhiti i nga konae nui (he maha ranei o raatau) ka roa atu i te hononga WiFi Direct.
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.
- Hei tiimata, tango me te whakauru i nga App ahua mo to taputapu Android. Me hoki koe tāuta Feem i runga i to PC Matapihi. Ka oti te whakauru, whakatuwherahia te Waahanga i runga i nga taputapu e rua.
- I runga i to taputapu Android, paatohia te Whakakā te WiFi Direct retireti i te taupānga Feem. Ma tenei ka whakahohe i te WiFi hotaka whakatairanga-motuhake motuhake kia hono atu to taputapu Matapihi. Ko te kupuhipa e hiahiatia ana hei hono atu ki tenei hononga ka puta i te kokonga matau-runga.
- I runga i to taputapu Matapihi, hono atu ki te whatunga WiFi poto i hangaia e to taputapu Android (hei tauira, DIRECT-mH-Android). Ka taea e koe tenei i to tahua Tautuhinga Matapihi, ma te pehi ranei i te WiFi / Ata Whatunga i runga i to paetaumahi me te tohu i te whatunga WiFi poto mai i reira.
- Ka hono ana, whakatuwherahia te taupānga Waa ki to PC Windows. Me whakararangi to taputapu Android ki te raarangi maui-maui. Ka taea e koe te tuku atu i nga konae ki tetahi atu huarahi ma te kowhiri i to PC Windows i te mahinga Waa i runga i a Android. Tohua te taputapu i te raarangi i runga i te papa, ma te kowhiri ka paato ranei i te Tukuna Kōnae kōwhiringa i raro ki te tiimata ki te tuku i nga konae puta noa.
- Ka tukuna ana nga konae, paoa te Kei te haere a WiFi Direct retireti i runga i to whakaaro Android hei whakakore i te raarangi wera WiFi Direct a ka mutu te hononga.
Connecting Windows 10 PCs to Other Devices
As the name suggests, using WiFi Direct in Windows 10 allows you to make direct connections with other devices. If you want to transfer files from your smartphone to your PC regularly, then you may prefer to use the built-in Te taupānga Waea Engari.
If WiFi Direct isn’t an option, then Bluetooth is your next, best option for standalone, peer-to-peer communication. Many Windows 10 PCs have Bluetooth built-in, but you can make a PC Bluetooth-capable using a USB adapter. You’ll just need to remember to switch Bluetooth on first before you attempt to make a connection.