Windows 11 PC locking capability from Android device enabled via Microsoft's Phone Link application
Microsoft has recently introduced an update to its Phone Link feature, integrating it directly into the Start menu interface of Windows 11. This update brings a host of improvements that aim to make Windows more productive.
One of the key additions is the ability to remotely lock a Windows 11 PC from an Android phone. To use this feature, ensure your Android device has the Link To Windows app version 1.25071.165 or newer installed. Both devices must be connected, paired, and signed in with the same Microsoft account. Open the Link To Windows app on your Android phone, locate the new **"Lock PC"** button, and tap it to securely lock your Windows 11 computer.
Another significant improvement is the ability for users to initiate file and photo sharing from their phone to the PC. This means you can easily transfer files between devices without the need for cables or complex setup processes. The app now also allows you to view your most recently shared files and photos, as well as recent clipboard content, from the app itself.
The new lock PC feature works independently of Windows’ dynamic lock and does not require Bluetooth, offering a more seamless and convenient user experience. After locking your PC, the phone disconnects from the Link To Windows session until you log back into Windows.
Microsoft's Phone Link suite also offers features such as syncing notifications and screen casting, all of which can now be initiated from either the PC or Android phone. The new Phone Link companion in the Start menu consolidates these core functions into one place, providing quick access to messages, calls, photos, and even the ability to send files directly to the phone.
The updates to Phone Link not only improve the functionality of Windows 11 but also create an ecosystem experience between Android and Windows PC, similar to that between an iPhone and Mac. Microsoft's Phone Link suite is one of Windows 11's best features, offering a seamless and productive integration between mobile devices and computers.
- The update on Microsoft's Phone Link feature, available in Windows 11, now enables users to initiate file and photo sharing with their PC directly from their smartphones.
- With the Link To Windows app on an Android device, users can view their most recently shared files, photos, and clipboard content within the app itself.
- Microsoft's Phone Link feature includes the option to remotely lock a Windows 11 PC from an Android device, offering a more convenient user experience that works independently of Windows’ dynamic lock.
- The Phone Link suite in Windows 11 offers an ecosystem experience similar to that between an iPhone and Mac, as it allows the syncing of notifications and screen casting between Android devices and PCs.
- The new Phone Link companion in the Start menu of Windows 11 consolidates core functions such as messaging, calling, photo viewing, and file sending into one place, making it easier for users to manage their PC and smartphone connections.
