Microsoft's new Windows update adds Android smartphones to File Explorer

Microsoft has rolled out an update to Windows 11 that enables Android users to browse their smartphone storage in Windows' File Explore.

Microsoft's new Windows update adds Android smartphones to File Explorer
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Tech and Science Editor
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Microsoft has rolled out a new Windows 11 update to its Insider program that improves the interoperability between Android and Windows PCs.

Microsoft's new Windows update adds Android smartphones to File Explorer 1221

The Redmond company has been working on improving the connection between smartphones and Windows PCs with its Phone Link app, and now a new update rolled out to the Insider program enables users to access their devices files within Windows File Explorer. The update is just for Android devices and take advantage of the new functionality users must be running Android 11 or higher, along with Phone Link beta version 1.24071 or higher.

To enable this feature users will head to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mobile Devices > Manage Devices and enable the option to show the connected smartphone in File Explorer. Once enabled, users will be able to access the device's files, which means adding/removing files and reorganization - all wirelessly. Notably, files that are deleted through the Phone Link app will be sent to the smartphone's recycle bin, not the Windows PC recycle bin.

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Jak joined the TweakTown team in 2017 and has since reviewed 100s of new tech products and kept us informed daily on the latest science, space, and artificial intelligence news. Jak's love for science, space, and technology, and, more specifically, PC gaming, began at 10 years old. It was the day his dad showed him how to play Age of Empires on an old Compaq PC. Ever since that day, Jak fell in love with games and the progression of the technology industry in all its forms.

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