How to take advantage of Bluetooth technology in Windows 8 and RT

When we think of Bluetooth technology the first thing that comes to mind are the latest generation mobiles, but the truth is that its use is increasing: in console controls, in digital cameras, or in printers, for example. It is true that Bluetooth compared to Wi-Fi is at a disadvantage, but that does not mean we should ignore its use for certain things. In addition, both with Windows 8 and with Windows RT its configuration and subsequent use is very simple.

Both versions of the latest Microsoft Operating System come prepared to support Bluetooth 4 technology.0, with a data rate of around 24 Mbit/s, although if we use a desktop with Windows 8 we will need a motherboard with integrated Bluetooth, or install an external accessory with Bluetooth to take advantage of this technology. Needless to say, the Surface RT and Surface Pro, like other Windows 8 and RT laptops, comes standard.

Turn on and configure Bluetooth in Windows 8 and RT

Bluetooth technology is deactivated by default, but it will be very easy to activate it. We will only have to go to the Settings of our team (from anywhere, we open the sidebar located on the right, sliding with our finger or with a mouse from that edge to the left; and click on "Settings", the last icon of all), and then go to the Wireless network section to activate the box that says Bluetooth, just below Wi-Fi.Clarify that if we use a PC with Windows 8 we will not find the "Wireless network" section, so when activating Bluetooth on the computer we must do it through an external program provided by our own board with this integrated technology, or through from an external accessory.

Anyway, for practical purposes it will be the same, because as soon as we activate Bluetooth on a computer with Windows 8 or RT, its icon will appear in the notification area on the taskbar, located by default at the bottom right of the desktop. If we do not see it, we display the menu and click on "Customize" to tell the system to show us the icon and notifications instead of hiding it. The next thing we must do is configure it

To do this we must right click (or hold down with our finger) on the Bluetooth icon in the notification area, and click on “Open configuration” , to see the next window.By default detection will be off, preventing any Bluetooth device from finding our equipment. This is for security reasons. From here we can also manage notifications, or if we want the Bluetooth icon itself to be displayed.

Another aspect that we must configure will be the different Bluetooth devices to which we want to connect, and we can do this both from the notification area icon, by clicking on “Add a Bluetooth device”, as from the Devices section of the Configuration menu that we saw before, just above “Network wireless”. Since in this case we want to pair the Surface RT with a smartphone, we press Add device until it finds it. It will take a few seconds, and when we see its name, or that of another device that we know for sure what it is, we click on its icon to start the connection.Or we can also carry out this connection test from the other end, in this case the mobile, as long as we have checked the "Allow Bluetooth devices to find this equipment" box, to see how in both cases we will be asked to confirm a Randomly generated code so that both devices have the certainty that we have the necessary permissions to proceed with the establishment of the connection between the two.

After checking, both devices will be connected and data can be sent. How? It is also very easy. From Windows 8 or RT we will do it by going to any file, right-clicking (or keeping your finger pressed) on it to select the option “Send to”, and from there “Bluetooth Device”We will be prompted to select where we want to send the file (or files) to, and whether to use authentication.We click next, and we will see a window like the one shown below to let us know that the transfer has started.

Bluetooth File Transfer in Windows 8

The transfer will reach a point where it will be paused, because it will need confirmation from the recipient. It will always be like this every time we transfer a file. You just have to give permission from the other side, and the transfer will be finished. Although the use of Bluetooth goes beyond the simple transfer of files. Having configured this technology in Windows 8 or RT we can use it, for example, to use an audio receiver connected to a sound system.

In Welcome to Windows 8 | Surface RT or Surface Pro. Which is right for me?