Windows 10 and Bing Maps App: Giving Directions

Some fifty years ago, you had to carry a map with you when navigating in case you didn’t quite want to hopelessly wonder off. Now, modern technology gave us the means to locate almost every place right from a mobile device.

If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past several years (no offense intended, we love nature too), you’re surely aware of the capabilities of Google Maps. In case you didn’t know, Microsoft has its own guidance service based on Bing, which also comes in the form of a Store App. It usually comes packed as a default feature with Windows 10, but you can also grab it from the Store.

Just like most Modern Apps, Maps blends in with Windows 10’s fresh design. However, little time spent going through its set of features reveals that it lacks some helpful accessibility features. For instance, you can’t pin a specific place on the map just by clicking it, and many more. On the other hand, it can be used to quickly plan a route and send it to someone via mail.

Sharing directions with the Maps App

There are several methods of sharing a location or even directions directly from the Maps App. What’s more, some apps create an option in the Windows 10 Share feature so that items of interest, like this one, can easily be sent to friends, family, or business associates.

After launching the Maps App, you need to decide what exactly it is you want to share. Here are your options, which you select from the left pane.

-> Map: it’s the basic form of sharing area information. Zoom in on the target location, manage rotation, tilt, as well as aerial, traffic, or streetside map view. When done, press the bottom status bar where ( ... ) is located. In the small prompt, hit the Share button.

-> Search: it allows you to look up locations of interest by writing down street, number, region, and country. Suggestions appear as you type. There’s the possibility of multiple, similar results to pop up. To be able to share, you need to select just one of them. The sharing process is done from the same menu.

-> Directions: the only way you can share a route via the Maps App. It can be configured to avoid traffic, toll roads, ferries, highways, unpaved roads, tunnels, and motorail. Directions are available for Driving and Walking. You just search for locations A and B, while following the steps to share from the methods above, once the route is displayed. However, you need to completely on the given set of instructions, because they cannot be managed.

Note: While in the Map view, the application lets you pin custom locations by holding down the left mouse button until a white circle appears. Unfortunately, you need to set up directions to be able to share.

Workaround: On the other hand, you can trick the app to share the map with one or more pinned points and no route info. In the Map view, create a blank point. In the left panel that appears, press the small star button to add to favorites. Give it a name and press Save. Now, just return to the Map view and share.

Sharing options

Some Modern Apps in Windows 10 come with the possibility to share. This brings up a list of other apps through which sharing is done, such as Facebook for pictures, YouTube for videos, and Mail for most types of content.

Via Mail

The basic form of sharing is through the Mail App. Once you configured a set of directions, or just a spot on the map, choosing to share lets you select Mail. This brings up the content of a new message, with an embedded picture, and directions displayed.

You’re free to edit as needed. Note that the final zoom level also determines what appears in the picture. The individual receiving the mail also has options to open the location in the Maps App or on Bing in the default browser.

Via your web browser

Truth be told, the desktop Mail service that Microsoft provides is a bit shallow. However, accessing it from a web browser provides more management options, like adding pushpins, or configuring directions with custom routes.

If you want to create a thorough set of directions using Bing Maps, don’t be afraid to access the service. Once there, use the context menu to customize directions or just pin-point a specific location. Note that there’s a Share button at the top right part of the map, letting you:

-> copy the URL and send it to someone; -> send the link via Email; -> share the map on Facebook or Twitter; -> embed in a web page with the possibility to customize map size, options, style, and links.

Via QR Code
Chances are you don’t just want to invite friends over to your new location, but rather set up an event, and there’s not really much space on the poster, flyer or even business card for a whole, clear map.

There’s a method that can be used to bundle the exact link with all your directions inside a QR Code. Printed on a sheet of paper, it can then be scanned with most smartphones fitted with a camera. In addition, these can also be inserted in text documents or other types of projects. This needs to be done to get your hands on a QR Code:

-> Access the Store and install Barcode Generator.

Now, you can obtain a barcode in several ways. One of them is directly through the Share option, which makes Barcode Generator available.

Step 1: Open up the Maps App or Microsoft Edge to go to Bing Maps.

Note: Yes, you need to use Edge for this operation to be possible.

Step 2: Configure your map directions and choose to Share via Barcode Generator.

Hint: In Microsoft Edge, use the Share button on the upper toolbar (the one with the URL field), and NOT the Share option in Bing.

Step 3: In the prompt that appears click Save.

Step 4: Press Win + S to launch Barcode Generator.

Step 5: Click the first entry in the Recent section. Add a Fullscreen View Caption (optional), and Save Image on your computer.

You are now free to include the QR Code into any of your projects. Even if you obtained the QR Code by Sharing via the Maps App, a link is generated and takes you online when you scan the code, with all details and directions saved.

Reading the QR Code

Tip: More on creating and reading QR Codes here.

There’s an alternative way to grab the code, using the same Barcode Generator, but this time not having to rely on Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Launch your web browser and go to Bing Maps.

Step 2: Define your location and press Share (the Bing Maps service button).

Step 3: Copy the URL from the Link field. This one’s a short-out version of the one generated through the method above, thus making a less complicated QR Code.

Step 4: Fire up Barcode Generator.

Step 5: From the right panel (Create New Barcode), click on URL.

Step 6: Paste the Link you just copied in the Url/Web Url field.

Step 7: After the code is generated, press Save Image, and you’re done.

Bonus hint
Don’t forget that Microsoft introduced the possibility to print just about anything to PDF, without installing any additional features or apps. This also works well in Maps, creating a neat layout along with the set of instructions, if available.

A few last words

There are one too many navigation services that provide accurate identification and real-time feedback while on the road, most of which you can easily access through Wi-Fi, or the phone’s built-in GPS system. Since Microsoft also developed a service of its own, with offline download capabilities, it’s a pity not to know how it can be used to your advantage, or simply helping someone with directions.