Bluetooth is a convenient alternative to wires. With Bluetooth, you can connect supported phones, mice, headsets, printers, keyboards, tablets, and many other devices to your computer, as long as information technology too supports Bluetooth.

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

Sound confusing? We'll bear witness you everything you need to set up Bluetooth for Windows 7.

Note: It's time to upgrade to Windows ten! Read our article on how to manage Bluetooth on Windows 10 when you lot upgrade your calculator!

Plough on Bluetooth on Your Calculator and Device

Outset, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your reckoner. Many laptops come with Bluetooth support, but information technology may exist disabled by default to save battery power. Often, you tin observe a button on your laptop's keyboard that toggles Bluetooth. You might also have an icon in the Organization Tray at the bottom-correct of the screen or an option in your reckoner manufacturer's included software.

If your computer doesn't have Bluetooth support (which is the case for many desktops), you tin can buy a inexpensive Bluetooth adapter. This is a pocket-sized USB dongle that provides Bluetooth access on whatever motorcar.

Next, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on the device you want to pair with your figurer. Bluetooth is enabled by default on Bluetooth mice and headsets, but information technology may be disabled on smartphones and tablets.

The exact location of this pick will depend on your device.

On Android, swipe downward from the meridian of the screen twice to admission Quick Settings, and then make sure you haveBluetooth enabled. iOS users should open Control Center by swiping up from the lesser of the screen (iPhone viii or before) or swiping down from the meridian-right corner of the screen (iPhone 10 or afterward). And then tap theBluetooth icon to enable it, if information technology's not already.

Make the PC and Devices Discoverable

While Bluetooth is now enabled on both your calculator and device, they nonetheless tin can't see each other. For a Bluetooth device to run into another, it must exist discoverable. In discoverable mode, your PC or device sends out signals advertising itself. This is disabled past default for security purposes; information technology only needs to be enabled when y'all're pairing devices.

You only need to brand one of the devices discoverable. Doing this for either your PC or the device you want to connect will work, simply it doesn't hurt to do information technology for both.

To make your Windows 7 PC discoverable, click the First button and select Devices and Printers on the right side of the Start menu. Then right-click your computer name (or Bluetooth adapter name) in the listing of devices and select Bluetooth settings.

If you demand to do this on newer Windows versions as well, we take a guide on how to connect your phone using Bluetooth on Windows ten.

Bluetooth Settings Menu Windows 7

Click the Allow Bluetooth devices to discover this computer checkbox in the Bluetooth Settings window, and and then click OK. Your computer volition at present be discoverable to other devices.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Options

To make your phone discoverable, go into its Bluetooth options. If y'all employ Android, you'll find this atSettings > Connected devices. On iOS, head toSettings > Bluetooth. Both will brandish a message likeNow discoverable as [Proper name] when the device is gear up to pair.

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

Pair the Device

You can now pair the device with your reckoner. If you've made your PC discoverable, you can select your PC from the list of available devices that shows on your telephone or tablet to initiate the pairing process.

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

Windows volition look for discoverable Bluetooth devices and present them in the list. Select one and click Side by side to add it.

Windows 7 Add Bluetooth Device

If you don't see your Bluetooth device hither, ensure that information technology's discoverable and has Bluetooth enabled. As we mentioned in a higher place, this may crave a sure button input on Bluetooth accessories like keyboards.

For many devices, you'll meet a passcode. Ensure the key on your PC and the device are the same. This helps y'all ensure you're connecting the device to the correct machine, and not another nearby computer.

You lot'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 telephone and your reckoner. A window will pop up request you to confirm the connection. This helps prevent other people from pairing with your device when information technology'southward in discoverable mode.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Pairing Code

In one case you confirm, Windows may install drivers every bit needed. And so you're all set to beginning using it.

You tin double-click the device in the Devices and Printers window to access more features, such every bit the ability to send files and play music. The exact features available volition depend on your device.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Device Functions

Find, Pair, and Go

Now that your device and computer are paired, they'll keep working together. Y'all won't have to go through the pairing process each time you lot want to use the device, and they'll connect automatically when they're in range and turned on.

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

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

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Ben Stegner (1803 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Chief at MakeUseOf. He left his IT job to write total-time in 2022 and has never looked dorsum. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional writer for over eight years.

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