How to Set Up Windows 7 for Bluetooth

Choose Start→Devices and Printers and look for a Bluetooth device.

The Device Stage will show all the devices that are connected to your computer. You might have to physically connect your device to the computer at this point just to set it up.

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2

Right-click the Bluetooth device and choose Bluetooth Settings.

Windows shows you the settings.

3

Select the check box that says Allow Bluetooth Devices to Find This Computer, and then click OK.

This step turns on the Bluetooth transmitter, which beams out a welcoming signal to every Bluetooth device in the area — generally 30 to 50 feet (10 to 20 meters) away.

4

Make sure that Bluetooth is working on the device you want to connect.

This can be the tricky part, and each device uses slightly different settings to get you to the same place. You might find the Bluetooth settings in a variety of places. Once you find the link, click it and turn the Bluetooth On. It will most likely do a quick search of the area looking for available Bluetooth signals.

5

Back in Device Stage, in the upper-left corner, click Add a Device.

If you enabled Bluetooth correctly on both your PC and the device, they should — should — start the handshakestage.

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6

Double-click the phone (or headset or speaker or whatever).

Your phone (or other device) is now ready to connect.

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7

Wait for windows to create a connection code, if one is necessary.

If your device requires authentication — and all phones do — Windows 7 generates a random connection code and shows it to you.

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8

At this point, enter the connection code into your phone or other device (if necessary).

Windows advises that it has made the connection — but you have to wait for the drivers to download. You'll see the connection screen while you wait.

Be sure to keep your device turned on and within shouting range of your PC while the drivers are installed. For the process to work successfully, you'll need to be connected to the Internet, and you have to have Automatic Update turned on.

9

Leave everything going and return to the Device Stage by choosing Start→Devices and Printers. Wait until the new device appears without any swirlyicons or yellow “warning” icons.

At that point, you can use the device — but you still aren’t done yet.

10

Right-click the Bluetooth device and choose Bluetooth Settings. Deselect the check box labeled Allow Bluetooth Devices to Find This Computer, and then click OK.