Windows 11's File Explorer isn't everyone's cup of tea, but that doesn't mean it's devoid of useful features. As it happens, File Explorer isn't only for exploring files on your PC, but your Android device as well—if you know how to set it up.
Microsoft announced on Thursday that it is now rolling out the ability to see your Android device in File Explorer on your PC. When enabled, you'll be able to browse all your Android folders and files, which includes actions like:
Opening files
Copying Android files to your PC
Copying PC files to your Android device
Rename files
Move files
Delete files
This is made possible through the Link to Windows app, which lets you pair your Android device with your PC, so you can reply to texts, take calls, and view Android notifications from your computer.
Accessing Android files from your PC
In order to try this feature out on your device, your phone needs to be running Android 11 or newer. You also need to be running the beta version of the Link to Windows app (version 1.24071 or higher), as the current public version of the app won't work. You can download the beta version from the APKMirror link here. On the Windows side of things, you need to enroll your PC in the Windows Insider Program (any of the four Insider Channels will work here), and you need to be running Windows 11.
Make sure Link to Windows is set up and connected on your phone. (You can follow the instructions in our article here for setup help.) Once all these are in place, go to your PC and head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices, then choose Manage devices. Make sure your phone is enabled, then enable the toggle next to Access in File Explorer. Microsoft says if you don't see this toggle, the feature hasn't rolled out to you yet.
As this feature is still in testing, there are some bugs and issues to watch out for. Microsoft says when you delete phone files on your computer, they are sent to a new Recycle Bin folder on the phone, where they'll be deleted after five days. (The system will tell you it lasts for 30 days, so be aware you don't have that long before these files are deleted.) In addition, Microsoft says deleted files in this new Recycle Bin may not appear on your PC.
Finally, you may notice some actions you take on your PC might not sync back to your phone. If so, log out of your Windows account on your PC, then log back in.