How to Connect a Microsoft Surface to Another Computer

Right-click a file to see your local sharing options, or upload it to a service like Google Drive to share files over the internet

By

Brad Stephenson

Updated on November 29, 2023

Reviewed by

Jessica Kormos

What to Know

Nearby Share: Right-click the file, choose Share, then select the PC. Choose Save on the PC to accept it.
Cloud service: Right-click a Google Drive folder and go to Share > Share. Add someone as Editor, then select Send.
Network sharing: Right-click the file, go to Show more options > Give access to > Specific people > Everyone.

This article how to connect a Surface device to another computer to share files. You have many options, including native sharing features and cloud storage services.

Use Nearby Sharing to Wirelessly Connect Surface to PC

By far, the easiest way to send files from a Surface device to another PC is to use Windows' native Share feature. It uses Bluetooth, and it's built-in, so you don't have to download anything.

The directions in this article apply to all Surface, Surface Pro, Surface Go, and Surface Laptop models with the latest Windows 10 or Windows 11 OS installed.

Locate the file on your Surface that you want to share with a nearby PC user.
Right-click the file.
Select Share.

You may have multiple links in this menu that are also called Share. Make sure you click on the one with the arrow icon to the left of it.
A box should pop up with contacts at the top and apps and services that you can use to share files along the bottom. In the middle of these suggestions, under Nearby Share, is a list of available nearby devices. Select the target PC once it appears.

If your Windows PC isn’t showing, make sure Nearby sharing is turned on in Quick Settings (Windows 11) or Action Center (Windows 10).
From the other PC, you'll receive a notification informing you that your Surface is trying to connect and send a file. Select Save to store the file, or Save & open to save it and immediately open it.

Use a Cloud Service to Sync Surface With PC

Services like Dropbox and OneDrive have been game-changers for sharing files between devices, backing up content, and syncing data and folders between computers.

These services let you create a folder that can be accessed by multiple users and synced between devices. For example, by adding a Dropbox folder to your Surface and then logging in with the same account on your PC, you’ll have two identical folders that continuously sync as files are updated, added, and removed.

Microsoft’s OneDrive comes pre-installed on all Windows PCs and Microsoft Surface devices. But there are lots of alternative cloud storage options you might prefer.

The 5 Best Ways to Use OneDrive Sharing

Google Apps

Connect Microsoft Surface to PC With Network Sharing

Another way to share files and folders with other devices is through your local network. Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices include an option to define exactly which users on the network can access specific data. Here's how it works:

Right-click the file you want to share.
Select Give access to. Windows 11 users can find this option in Show more options.
Choose Specific people.
From the drop-down menu, select the user's name or device with which you want to share the content. Pick Everyone if you want it to be available to all users on your network.
Select Share.
A message will confirm that you've shared the file on the network.

You might see a prompt about network discovery and file sharing. The option you pick is your choice. Read more about turning on and off network discovery for more on what this does.
From the other computer, find the shared folder on your Surface device by navigating to it in File Explorer. For example, using the confirmation prompt in the previous step, we can see that going here will show the file:
```
 \\DESKTOP-2ULQR3E\Users\shutt\OneDrive\Pictures\Camera Roll
```

Connect Surface to PC Monitor or TV

If you don’t need to send or receive files between your Surface and PC, and you’re simply trying to find out how to project or mirror your workspace or content onto a larger screen, you’re in luck.

There are multiple ways to do this. For example, you can connect your Surface to a monitor over USB-C or use an adapter to see your screen on an HDMI-enabled TV or projector.

Can I Connect a Surface Keyboard to PC?

Surface keyboards (Type Covers and Touch Covers) have a loyal following due to their form factor, variety of colors, and ability to double as a screen protector for the various Microsoft Surface models. Unfortunately, Surface keyboards can’t be used as regular keyboards on traditional laptops and desktop computers due to their design and lack of Bluetooth for wireless connectivity.

On the bright side, most Bluetooth keyboards designed for PCs can connect to all Surface Pro, Surface Go, Surface Laptop, and every other Surface model.

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