Bluetooth is a convenient culling to wires. With Bluetooth, you tin connect supported phones, mice, headsets, printers, keyboards, tablets, and many other devices to your figurer, as long every bit it too supports Bluetooth.

Overall, Bluetooth is pretty elementary to use, but it can exist a bit confusing to new users. To connect two Bluetooth devices together, i (or both) of the devices must be "discoverable." And this initial Bluetooth connection procedure is known as "pairing."

Sound confusing? Nosotros'll show you everything you demand to gear up Bluetooth for Windows seven.

Note: It's fourth dimension to upgrade to Windows x! Read our article on how to manage Bluetooth on Windows x when you upgrade your computer!

Turn on Bluetooth on Your Computer and Device

Beginning, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer. Many laptops come with Bluetooth support, but it may be disabled by default to save battery ability. Often, yous tin find a button on your laptop's keyboard that toggles Bluetooth. You might also accept an icon in the System Tray at the bottom-correct of the screen or an option in your calculator manufacturer's included software.

If your computer doesn't have Bluetooth support (which is the case for many desktops), you tin buy a cheap Bluetooth adapter. This is a small USB dongle that provides Bluetooth admission on any machine.

Next, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on the device y'all desire to pair with your computer. Bluetooth is enabled past default on Bluetooth mice and headsets, simply it may be disabled on smartphones and tablets.

The verbal location of this option will depend on your device.

On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to access Quick Settings, then make sure y'all takeBluetooth enabled. iOS users should open Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone 8 or earlier) or swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (iPhone 10 or later). Then tap theBluetooth icon to enable it, if information technology'due south not already.

Make the PC and Devices Discoverable

While Bluetooth is now enabled on both your estimator and device, they notwithstanding can't see each other. For a Bluetooth device to see another, it must be discoverable. In discoverable mode, your PC or device sends out signals advertising itself. This is disabled past default for security purposes; it only needs to be enabled when you're pairing devices.

Yous only need to make i of the devices discoverable. Doing this for either your PC or the device you want to connect will work, but it doesn't hurt to do it for both.

To brand your Windows seven PC discoverable, click the Outset push button and select Devices and Printers on the right side of the Start menu. And so right-click your calculator name (or Bluetooth adapter proper noun) in the listing of devices and select Bluetooth settings.

If y'all need to practice this on newer Windows versions too, we take a guide on how to connect your phone using Bluetooth on Windows x.

Bluetooth Settings Menu Windows 7

Click the Permit Bluetooth devices to notice this computer checkbox in the Bluetooth Settings window, and then click OK. Your computer will at present exist discoverable to other devices.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Options

To make your phone discoverable, go into its Bluetooth options. If you apply Android, yous'll notice this atSettings > Connected devices. On iOS, head toSettings > Bluetooth. Both will display a message similarNow discoverable every bit [Name] when the device is fix to pair.

If yous're pairing a device like a Bluetooth mouse or headphones, follow the instructions in the manual to put the device into pairing style. Typically, you'll need to hold the ability button for several seconds or something similar.

Pair the Device

Yous tin can now pair the device with your computer. If you lot've made your PC discoverable, you can select your PC from the list of available devices that shows on your phone or tablet to initiate the pairing process.

Alternatively, you can pair a device from your PC, as long every bit that device is discoverable. First, click the Add a device button in the Devices and Printers panel of Windows 7. (If you desire to pair a Bluetooth printer, click Add a printer instead.)

Windows will look for discoverable Bluetooth devices and present them in the list. Select one and click Next to add information technology.

Windows 7 Add Bluetooth Device

If you don't see your Bluetooth device here, ensure that information technology's discoverable and has Bluetooth enabled. As we mentioned above, this may require a certain button input on Bluetooth accessories similar keyboards.

For many devices, y'all'll see a passcode. Ensure the key on your PC and the device are the aforementioned. This helps you ensure yous're connecting the device to the correct motorcar, and not another nearby calculator.

You'll have to concur to the pairing request to initiate the connection. When pairing a phone, you'll need to confirm the code on both your phone and your figurer. A window will pop up asking you to ostend the connection. This helps prevent other people from pairing with your device when it's in discoverable mode.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Pairing Code

In one case you ostend, Windows may install drivers as needed. And then you lot're all gear up to first using it.

You lot can double-click the device in the Devices and Printers window to admission more features, such as the ability to send files and play music. The exact features available will depend on your device.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Device Functions

Observe, Pair, and Go

At present that your device and reckoner are paired, they'll continue working together. Y'all won't have to go through the pairing procedure each fourth dimension y'all want to employ the device, and they'll connect automatically when they're in range and turned on.

When you're non really pairing devices, for your security, y'all should make sure that both the device and your PC aren't discoverable. Y'all may also desire to disable Bluetooth when you're not using it, which can help save battery power on both your computer and your device.

For more on this topic, check out our FAQ guide to Bluetooth.

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Ben Stegner (1808 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Chief at MakeUseOf. He left his It chore to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked dorsum. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more than as a professional writer for over eight years.

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