Almost every device you connect to your TV (e.g., Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Roku, Chromecast, or an Apple TV) includes DLNA support to stream media over the network. Thatâs of course, as long as you also configure the device storing the content as a DLNA server.
DLNA stands for âDigital Living Network Allianceâ, and itâs simply a set of guidelines that makes it easy to set up a device to stream videos, photos, and music with other DLNA supported devices on the network.
If youâre running Windows 10, similar to previous versions, you donât need a third-party DLNA media server software to send media to other devices.
In this guide, youâll learn the steps to turn on the media streaming feature on Windows 10Â to send your music, pictures, and videos other devices in your network.
How to enable media streaming on Windows 10
On Windows 10, Microsoft hasnât migrated its DLNA-compliant feature to the Settings app, as such youâll need to use Control Panel.
To turn on media streaming, do the following:
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Open Start.
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Search for âMedia Streaming Optionsâ and click the result to open Control Panel on that section.
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Click the Turn on media streaming button to enable DLNA on Windows 10.
Turn on media streaming on Windows 10
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Click OK to apply the settings and complete the task.
Windows 10 DLNA media server options
Youâll also notice that after turning on media streaming, you have a number of available options, including the ability to enter a custom name for your library to identify the content being accessed.
âShow devices onâ is set by default to âLocal Networkâ, which you donât want to modify unless there is a good reason.
Then youâll also see a list of the DLNA-enabled devices currently on the network with access to your content. However, you can always uncheck the Allowed option to block the device.
Keep in mind that content wonât be available to other device, when your PC is sleeping. If you want to change this behaviour, you need to click the âChoose power optionsâ link and configure your PC to stay awake.
Once you completed the steps, your account libraries (Music, Pictures, and Videos) will automatically become available to any streaming device to access your media.
There are a number of other options, but for the most part you wonât need to configure anything else, as all the default settings are good enough.
How to access DLNA media from another device
Streaming media to another device is a very straightforward process, but it will depend on the device youâre using.
If youâre using an Xbox One, you can open the Media Player app, wait a few moments until you see the name of your library popping up. Then simply browse and play your pictures, musics, and videos as needed â just to name an example.
Xbox One Media Player app with DLNA support
Wrapping things up
Although Windows 10 doesnât include any DLNA references for its media streaming feature, it actually meets all the requirements to be a DLNA media server.
Itâs also worth pointing out that even though most of the time you wonât have any issues streaming content, every device has its limitation on supported content. Always make sure to check your device manufacturerâs support website for file formats and supported codecs.
While this guide is mainly focus on Windows 10, you can enable media streaming on Windows 8.1 and Windows 7, too.