Insider Ability to access your Android phone in File Explorer begins rolling out to Windows 11 Insiders



 Windows Blogs:

Hello Windows Insiders,

Today we are beginning to gradually roll out the ability to see your Android phone in File Explorer to Windows Insiders with Android phones across all Insider Channels.

With this new experience, you will be able to wirelessly browse through all your folders and files, including media that is on your Android phone. You can open them, copy them to your PC, copy PC files to your phone, rename files, move them, and delete them.

File Explorer showing the new entry point for accessing your Android phone.
File Explorer showing the new entry point for accessing your Android phone.

To use this feature, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
  • Your Android phone has at least Android 11 or higher.
  • You are running the BETA version of Link to Windows app on your Android phone (version 1.24071 and higher).
  • You are registered for the Windows Insider Program, your PC is running Windows 11, and your PC is opted into any of the 4 Insider Channels.
To enable this experience, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile Devices and choose “Manage devices” and allow your PC to access your Android phone. You’ll then be able to see a toggle to show your phone in File Explorer. If you do not see this toggle, that means the experience hasn’t yet rolled out to you yet.


Settings window for managing mobile devices that are allowed to connect to your PC.
Settings window for managing mobile devices that are allowed to connect to your PC.

Known issues

  • When you delete phone files on your PC, they are moved to a new Recycle Bin folder on your phone. Currently, these deleted files remain in the Recycle Bin for 5 days, even though the dialog indicates 30 days. An update is being made to ensure automatic deletion after 30 days.
  • Occasionally, deleted files in the new Recycle Bin folder on your phone may not appear in File Explorer on your PC. This issue will be resolved in a future update.
  • Sometimes, operations performed on phone files from your PC may not sync back to the phone. As a workaround, you can log out of your Windows account on your PC and log back in.
FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Devices and Drivers > Linked devices.

Thanks,
Windows Insider Program Team


 Source:

 
Last edited:
Unfortunately it hasn't rolled out to me yet. :eek1:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900k, Intel UHD 770 integrated
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master X
    Memory
    32gb G.Skill Trident Z5 7200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    EVGA Nu Audio, Razer Kraken V3 Pro, Realtek Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U4025QW nano IPS monitor, Samsung Odyssey G75F, Wisecoco 12.6" IPS sensor panel
    Screen Resolution
    5120X2160 x 2 1920x515
    Hard Drives
    WD Black SN8100, Samsung 990 Pro x 3, WD BLACK SN850x, WD Black 8tb HD
    PSU
    FSP Hydro PTM Pro 1350w
    Case
    Thermaltake Level 20 XT
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 ARGB in push/pull, Antec Prism X 120mm ARGB Fans x 15
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow V4 Pro
    Mouse
    Razer Basilik V3 Pro on Razer Firefly V2 mouse pad.
    Internet Speed
    950 Mbps cable primary, 6Mbps secondary vdsl
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-Edge-IE secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    I sit on a Libernovo Omni chair.😍 Sound by Fosi Audio DA-2120C pushing Magnat Series 503 bookshelf speakers and a SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2023 Acer Predator Helios 18
    CPU
    Intel 14900HX
    Motherboard
    factory
    Memory
    32gb ddr 5 5600
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 4090 mobile
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" 250hz IPS
    Screen Resolution
    2560X1600
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 9100 Pro, 990 Pro
    PSU
    factory 330W
    Case
    factory
    Cooling
    factory
    Keyboard
    individual key argb
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    WiFi 7, 2.5gb ethernet
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-IE and Edge secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    Acer will not allow WD Black SN8100 to function in m.2 slot 0 and Crucial T710 ssd's to function in either slot.
This is nothing new!
I've always been able to access my Phone in File Explorer! 🤷‍♂️

Why does MS always make it seem like they just invented the wheel!?!?!?

7404.jpg
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
The whole point is being able to access it without having to pick up the phone and enable permissions each time you want to do it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900k, Intel UHD 770 integrated
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master X
    Memory
    32gb G.Skill Trident Z5 7200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    EVGA Nu Audio, Razer Kraken V3 Pro, Realtek Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U4025QW nano IPS monitor, Samsung Odyssey G75F, Wisecoco 12.6" IPS sensor panel
    Screen Resolution
    5120X2160 x 2 1920x515
    Hard Drives
    WD Black SN8100, Samsung 990 Pro x 3, WD BLACK SN850x, WD Black 8tb HD
    PSU
    FSP Hydro PTM Pro 1350w
    Case
    Thermaltake Level 20 XT
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 ARGB in push/pull, Antec Prism X 120mm ARGB Fans x 15
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow V4 Pro
    Mouse
    Razer Basilik V3 Pro on Razer Firefly V2 mouse pad.
    Internet Speed
    950 Mbps cable primary, 6Mbps secondary vdsl
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-Edge-IE secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    I sit on a Libernovo Omni chair.😍 Sound by Fosi Audio DA-2120C pushing Magnat Series 503 bookshelf speakers and a SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2023 Acer Predator Helios 18
    CPU
    Intel 14900HX
    Motherboard
    factory
    Memory
    32gb ddr 5 5600
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 4090 mobile
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" 250hz IPS
    Screen Resolution
    2560X1600
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 9100 Pro, 990 Pro
    PSU
    factory 330W
    Case
    factory
    Cooling
    factory
    Keyboard
    individual key argb
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    WiFi 7, 2.5gb ethernet
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-IE and Edge secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    Acer will not allow WD Black SN8100 to function in m.2 slot 0 and Crucial T710 ssd's to function in either slot.
The whole point is being able to access it without having to pick up the phone and enable permissions each time you want to do it.
You only have to grant permissions once.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 26200 7462
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel XEON E5-2699 v3
    Motherboard
    ASUS X99-A
    Memory
    64GB Teamgroup UD4-3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER X34 Predator
    Screen Resolution
    3440 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Crucial CT1000P 3P SSD8 1TB
    Crucial CT1000 BX500 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    GameMax Pro
    Case
    Fractal Design
    Cooling
    Corsair H110iGT + 6 140mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Corsair K4
    Mouse
    G-Skill G502
    Internet Speed
    300MBs
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    OEM
    Other Info
    ASUS RT-AC87U Router
  • Operating System
    25H2 26200.5074
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS X555LA
    Memory
    8GB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    OEM

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900k, Intel UHD 770 integrated
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master X
    Memory
    32gb G.Skill Trident Z5 7200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    EVGA Nu Audio, Razer Kraken V3 Pro, Realtek Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U4025QW nano IPS monitor, Samsung Odyssey G75F, Wisecoco 12.6" IPS sensor panel
    Screen Resolution
    5120X2160 x 2 1920x515
    Hard Drives
    WD Black SN8100, Samsung 990 Pro x 3, WD BLACK SN850x, WD Black 8tb HD
    PSU
    FSP Hydro PTM Pro 1350w
    Case
    Thermaltake Level 20 XT
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 ARGB in push/pull, Antec Prism X 120mm ARGB Fans x 15
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow V4 Pro
    Mouse
    Razer Basilik V3 Pro on Razer Firefly V2 mouse pad.
    Internet Speed
    950 Mbps cable primary, 6Mbps secondary vdsl
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-Edge-IE secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    I sit on a Libernovo Omni chair.😍 Sound by Fosi Audio DA-2120C pushing Magnat Series 503 bookshelf speakers and a SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2023 Acer Predator Helios 18
    CPU
    Intel 14900HX
    Motherboard
    factory
    Memory
    32gb ddr 5 5600
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 4090 mobile
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" 250hz IPS
    Screen Resolution
    2560X1600
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 9100 Pro, 990 Pro
    PSU
    factory 330W
    Case
    factory
    Cooling
    factory
    Keyboard
    individual key argb
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    WiFi 7, 2.5gb ethernet
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-IE and Edge secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    Acer will not allow WD Black SN8100 to function in m.2 slot 0 and Crucial T710 ssd's to function in either slot.

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
i dont see link to windows on start
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11Pro Dev 25H2 26220.6972
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Beta
    Antivirus
    Eset Smart Security Premium
I just checked and now have it. So much easier to access wirelessly. Thank you MS.

1722637331304.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900k, Intel UHD 770 integrated
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master X
    Memory
    32gb G.Skill Trident Z5 7200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    EVGA Nu Audio, Razer Kraken V3 Pro, Realtek Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U4025QW nano IPS monitor, Samsung Odyssey G75F, Wisecoco 12.6" IPS sensor panel
    Screen Resolution
    5120X2160 x 2 1920x515
    Hard Drives
    WD Black SN8100, Samsung 990 Pro x 3, WD BLACK SN850x, WD Black 8tb HD
    PSU
    FSP Hydro PTM Pro 1350w
    Case
    Thermaltake Level 20 XT
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 ARGB in push/pull, Antec Prism X 120mm ARGB Fans x 15
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow V4 Pro
    Mouse
    Razer Basilik V3 Pro on Razer Firefly V2 mouse pad.
    Internet Speed
    950 Mbps cable primary, 6Mbps secondary vdsl
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-Edge-IE secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    I sit on a Libernovo Omni chair.😍 Sound by Fosi Audio DA-2120C pushing Magnat Series 503 bookshelf speakers and a SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2023 Acer Predator Helios 18
    CPU
    Intel 14900HX
    Motherboard
    factory
    Memory
    32gb ddr 5 5600
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 4090 mobile
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" 250hz IPS
    Screen Resolution
    2560X1600
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 9100 Pro, 990 Pro
    PSU
    factory 330W
    Case
    factory
    Cooling
    factory
    Keyboard
    individual key argb
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    WiFi 7, 2.5gb ethernet
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-IE and Edge secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    Acer will not allow WD Black SN8100 to function in m.2 slot 0 and Crucial T710 ssd's to function in either slot.
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