This tutorial will show you how to share a file with others using an app in Windows 11.
The built-in Windows share window in Windows 11 allows you to directly share a file with an app or nearby devices.
Reference:
How to share files in File Explorer on Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to share files in File Explorer on Windows 11 or Windows 10 using OneDrive, email, or nearby device.
support.microsoft.com
Starting with Windows 11 build 25163, when sharing a local file from the desktop, File Explorer, Photos, Snipping Tool, Xbox, and other apps that use the built-in Windows share window, you can choose OneDrive as a target to directly upload the file to OneDrive and share it further along with access control options. All this can be done right from sharing local files in File Explorer without any context switches or opening the OneDrive app.
Starting with Windows 11 build 22631.3374, the Windows share window now supports sharing with WhatsApp under the “Share using” section. If you don’t have WhatsApp installed, you can choose to install it from Windows share window directly. Over time, we plan to try this experience out with other apps as well.
Starting with Windows 11 build 22631.3374, the Windows share window will now only show apps under Share using that are tied to the account you are signed into Windows with – either Microsoft account (MSA) or Microsoft Entra ID (previously Azure Active Directory). If you are signed in with an MSA, you will see Microsoft Teams (free) instead of Microsoft Teams (work or school) and not both for example.
Contents
- Option One: Share File(s) with App from File Explorer Command Bar
- Option Two: Share File(s) with App from Context Menu
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Select one or more files you want to share with an app. (see screenshot below step 3)
3 Click/tap on the Share button on the command bar. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on an app (ex: "Mail") you want to share the file(s) with in the Windows share window. (see screenshots below)
If you do not see an app you want to share with, click/tap on All apps to see all available apps to share with.
If you still do not see an app to share with in All apps, then you can click/tap on the Find more apps in Microsoft Store link to download and install an app to share with if wanted.
5 You can now share the file(s) using the app.
1 Select one or more files you want to share with an app.
2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)
- Right click on the selected file(s), and click/tap on the Share button on the context menu toolbar.
- Right click on the selected file(s), click/tap on Show more options (Shift+F10), and click/tap on Share.
3 Click/tap on an app (ex: "Mail") you want to share the file(s) with in the Windows share window. (see screenshots below)
If you do not see an app you want to share with, click/tap on All apps to see all available apps to share with.
If you still do not see an app to share with in All apps, then you can click/tap on the Find more apps in Microsoft Store link to download and install an app to share with if wanted.
4 You can now share the file(s) using the app.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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