What is Going on With Link to Windows? Why Does it Keep Duplicating My Computer?

Maidvelia · Aug 2, 2024

How do I wipe these out from my Microsoft account? This is driving me INSANE!

Screenshot_20240802_191435_Link to Windows.png

If anyone knows how to fix this, please let me know!

antspants · Aug 2, 2024

Hi there, welcome to the forum

I have to be honest, I’ve never seen that in my life? But I haven’t seen everything.

Do you have something called “POSTMAN” installed or related to your account?

Maidvelia · Aug 2, 2024

I used to have Postman as a Brave Browser app but I haven't reinstalled that for a very, very long time.

This is also a fresh install of Windows. I'm hoping I don't need to reset my phone to fix this problem.

antspants · Aug 2, 2024

So thats a screen shot of your phone or Windows?

I have to be honest, unless someone enters this conversation and knows about this issue, I would suggest that you also seek help on the Postman community forum. How is Postman on or related to your phone?

Postman Community

A place to talk about anything Postman

community.postman.com

Maidvelia · Aug 2, 2024

Like I said, I don't have Postman anymore, and I had it on Windows only.

There is no Postman related to my phone.

This is a screenshot of my phone.

antspants · Aug 2, 2024

Well it's identifying it from somewhere.

Question, do you use linked to Windows at all or is it something you can do without?

Maidvelia · Aug 2, 2024

I use it all the time. I didn't have this issue until I got my original Microsoft account back (I was hacked and had to go through some hoops). I thought reinstalling Windows would maybe help me fix it, but I think it made it worse.

I also can't get Phone Link to see my Wallpaper anymore but I suspect that has to do with the new Cross Device Experience Host.

antspants · Aug 2, 2024

I am trying to do a flash course on the net with anything related to a “Interceptor and Windows” relationship and it’s proving to be tough.

Maidvelia · Aug 2, 2024

That's my computer name. It's not an important variable.

antspants · Aug 2, 2024

So your “Phone” is showing this message. Android I’d suspect?
And, everything is important or a possible variable for us trying to help.
Perhaps I should of realised that the top line “interceptor” was you PC name.

Maidvelia · Aug 2, 2024

Yes my phone is showing the message. It's an Android.

I found this: Cannot remove disconnected devices from Phone Link App on Android but it requires rooting my phone (essentially jailbreaking it), which I don't want to do.

I guess I have to factory reset my phone at some point. Thank you, Microsoft.

antspants · Aug 2, 2024

Call me crazy, but it appears to be more of an Android issue than a Microsoft issue.

MisterEd · Aug 2, 2024

I see three devices but they are all different computers.

On your phone go into the Bluetooth settings and try unpairing Interceptor. Does Interceptor then disappear in Link to Windows? Is so go into the Interceptor PC and run Phone Link to see if you can pair it with your phone again.

Edwin · Aug 2, 2024

Perhaps you can manage them from online:

Maidvelia · Aug 2, 2024

Tried it.

antspants said:
Call me crazy, but it appears to be more of an Android issue than a Microsoft issue.

It's both -- Microsoft for making disconnected devices not removable, and Samsung for making the app a System App that's not easy to reset.

MisterEd said:
I see three devices but they are all different computers.

On your phone go into the Bluetooth settings and try unpairing Interceptor. Does Interceptor then disappear in Link to Windows? Is so go into the Interceptor PC and run Phone Link to see if you can pair it with your phone again.

View attachment 102940

Removing it from Bluetooth doesn't fix the problem. It's still in Link to Windows. For whatever reason, there's no way to remove a disconnected device and it's stored in a System App activity which requires root access, according to that support thread I found.

MisterEd · Aug 2, 2024

Maidvelia said:
Tried it.

View attachment 102942

It's both -- Microsoft for making disconnected devices not removable, and Samsung for making the app a System App that's not easy to reset.

Removing it from Bluetooth doesn't fix the problem. It's still in Link to Windows. For whatever reason, there's no way to remove a disconnected device and it's stored in a System App activity which requires root access, according to that support thread I found.

I should have also said in Link to Windows to select Unlink Account. On you computer in Phone Link in settings select Remove Device.

If you no longer see any device in either Link to Windows or Phone Link then go into Phone Link and try to connect with your phone again.

dacrone · Aug 2, 2024

you tried the microsoft account devices page, but did you actually try the phone link app settings devices page?

Remove Android Phone from Phone Link app on Windows 11 PC Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to unlink and remove an Android phone device from the Phone Link app on a Windows 11 PC. The Phone Link app on your Windows PC let's you get instant access to everything you love on your phone, right from your PC. Link your Android phone and PC to view and reply...

www.elevenforum.com

and did you fully remove the android apk from your phone, reboot and reinstall the apk?

Maidvelia · Aug 2, 2024

I have used the Phone Link app page. It shows only ONE phone tied to my Microsoft account, not several. On the flipside, there's 3 of the same PC on the phone for some reason.

The APK is inaccessible. This is a System App -- it is part of the device software itself. It cannot be altered without Root Access.

MisterEd said:
I should have also said in Link to Windows to select Unlink Account. On you computer in Phone Link in settings select Remove Device.

If you no longer see any device in either Link to Windows or Phone Link then go into Phone Link and try to connect with your phone again.

Unlink Account just disconnects it but when I relink the account the duplicate PCs show up again.