蓝牙 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 近场通讯.
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.
检查 Windows 10 PC 上的 WiFi Direct 支持
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中.
- To open a new PowerShell terminal, right-click the Start menu and select the Windows PowerShell(管理员) 选项。
- 在新的 Windows PowerShell中 窗口,类型 IPCONFIG / ALL 并按下 输入. A list of your network adapters and connections will be listed. Look through the list of adapters to find the Microsoft Wi-Fi直接虚拟适配器 上市。
If Microsoft Wi-Fi直接虚拟适配器 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 Windows设置 menu. Right-click the Start menu and select the 个人设置 选项。
- 在 Windows设置 菜单中,选择 设备 option. From there, you’ll need to select the 添加蓝牙或其他设备 选项。
- 在弹出窗口中 添加设备 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 无线显示器或底座 选项。 否则,请选择 其他一切 选项。
- 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 完成 button to complete the connection.
- The device will then appear in your list of known devices in the 蓝牙及其他设备 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
WiFi Direct 的最佳用途之一是用于文件传输,尤其是当您有大量文件时。 虽然您可以使用蓝牙,但传输大文件(或大量文件)将比 WiFi Direct 连接花费更长的时间。
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.
- 在您的 Android 设备上,点击 打开 WiFi 直连 Feem 应用程序中的滑块。 这将激活您的 Windows 设备要连接的特殊 WiFi Direct ad-hoc 热点。 连接到此网络所需的密码将出现在右上角。
- 在您的 Windows 设备上,连接到由您的 Android 设备创建的临时 WiFi 网络(例如, 直接-mH-Android)。 您可以在 Windows 设置菜单中执行此操作,或按 WiFi/网络图标 在任务栏上,然后从那里选择临时 WiFi 网络。
- 连接后,打开 Windows PC 上的 Feem 应用程序。 您的 Android 设备应列在左侧菜单中。 您可以通过在 Android 上的 Feem 应用程序中选择您的 Windows PC 来以另一种方式发送文件。 在任一平台的列表中选择设备,然后选择或点击 发送文件 底部的选项开始发送文件。
- 发送文件后,点击 WiFi 直连已开启 Android 设备上的滑块可禁用 WiFi Direct 热点并结束连接。
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 你的手机应用 代替。
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.