Windows 10, reconnect to already paired Bluetooth device?

On Windows 10 and I've already paired the Bluetooth headset previously. When I turn it on it connects to the last used device (my iPhone; I manually disconnect).

How do I tell Windows "Please connect to this device you've already paired with?". The current Bluetooth UI doesn't seem to have this very ordinary option.

The laptop is a Macbook Pro, booting to Windows 10 via Bootcamp. Bluetooth otherwise works fine.

Solution 1:

I think I have finally found a reliable answer for this.

• Win+A brings up the action center
• If you dont see "connect" you may need to click expand
• Click Connect and then you can force connect your Bluetooth device.

For those that like shortcuts, Win+K from anywhere in Windows takes you directly to the "Connect" page and allows you to click your device and connect.

Why this isn't anywhere in the devices or Bluetooth connection settings pages I will never know. However, Win+K is about as quick as a shortcut as I could ask for so this is solved for me.

Solution 2:

For those on the regular Windows 10 desktop without touch, you need to open the connect widget from the system tray notifications icon ...

Click the existing device to reconnect to

While this workflow is ok, ideally there should also be a reconnect button in the main control panel too.

Solution 3:

In window 8 through 10 you can REconnect by going to Action Center. On windows 10 swipe to your LEFT from the RIGHT side of your touch screen. There is a tile in the sidewindow that comes up with the word Connect in. Find your device, then click on connect.

I know you aren't going to believe this, but if you want to navigate to the same window from a keyboard or mouse, you can use your mouse to go down to the very bottom of the screen and when the task bar comes up go to the very right and by default is what looks like a notification icon. That's right, if you click on it, the ACTIVATION CENTER comes up. so if you want to use your keyboard to get there, look for Nofications. I know, don't tell me.