Nearby Sharing

File sharing has been an issue for as long as there have been files, and Windows has handled this need in different ways in the past. But Windows 10 and 11 introduce a new way to share files---and photos and website links, go figure--called Nearby sharing. And it's likely you've never even heard of it, let alone used it before.
A quick survey of legacy sharing features
Before getting to Nearby sharing, let's take a quick look at the other ways in which you might share documents, pictures, and other files with others using Windows 11. Each of these methods debuted in previous Windows versions---some long, long ago---and most are still available in Windows 11.

Advanced sharing. The original file sharing feature from Windows NT was renamed to "advanced sharing" over 20 years ago. It allows you to share the contents of a folder with a specific set of users or user types, each of which is assigned specific permissions (Full control, Change, and/or Read).

You must first enable Network discovery and file sharing to use Advanced sharing.
Simple sharing. This somewhat simpler file sharing feature debuted in Windows XP in 2001. It, too, allows you to share the contents of a folder, but only with specific users or everyone, and using simpler permission levels (Read and Read/Write).

You must first enable Network discovery and file sharing to use Simple sharing.
HomeGroup. This even simpler method for sharing files (and media and printers) debuted in Windows 7 in 2009 and was designed for individuals sharing over a home network using a central password. HomeGroup is no longer available in Windows 11.

Share. Windows 8 introduced a new system contract called Share that let you share information between Store apps. This functionality was extended to the desktop in Windows 10 so that you could share files.

Share with OneDrive. OneDrive in Windows 10 and 11 offers its own way to share files with others.

You can learn more about this in the OneDrive chapter.
Get to know Nearby sharing
Nearby sharing is the simplest method for sharing files in Windows yet. Unlike previous sharing methods, it doesn't require you to configure permissions or passwords or figure out which Store apps might work. Likewise, it doesn't leave file shares sitting open all the time, a potential security issue.

Instead, Nearby sharing uses a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to discover other PCs with which it can share and then, when directed, initiate and accept share requests on your behalf. When you're done sharing, the two PCs are no longer connected.
Nearby sharing will use Wi-Fi for file transfers when both PCs are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. But it can actually work using just Bluetooth if the two PCs are very close together. Bluetooth-based file transfers are much slower than those using Wi-Fi.
The only complexity to Nearby sharing is that it needs to be enabled first on both the originating PC---the PC from which you are sharing---an...