Unlocking the Send Files Feature in Windows 11’s Start Menu
The newest highlight in Windows 11’s Start menu is the revolutionary “Send files” feature, designed to effortlessly transfer files between your PC and Android devices. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, users can enjoy seamless integration and connectivity.
Last year’s innovation involved the introduction of “Companions, ”a proposed feature that would offer interactive content adjacent to the Start menu. While the future of “Companions” remains uncertain, Microsoft has rolled out the practical Phone Link panel, which embodies many of these interactive qualities by allowing users to check messages, call logs, and apps right from the Start menu.
Discover the Send files button nestled at the bottom of the Phone Link panel, ready to facilitate quick file transfers to your Android phone.
Getting Started with the Send Files Feature
To initiate a file transfer, you simply need to click on the “Send files” button located within the Phone Link panel.
The prompt that appears will guide you to select the files you wish to send or, for added ease, drag and drop your desired files directly into the window.
Before proceeding, the system will check if your phone is connected to the Phone Link app. If not, you will need to establish this connection to facilitate the transfer.
Once you’ve chosen your files, a progress indicator—a circular bar—will display the status of your file transfer. You can hover over this progress bar to view details on the amount of data transferred out of the total selected.
Windows Latest‘s testing revealed no limitations regarding file types or the number of files sent. However, it’s crucial to note that attempting to send an entire folder is currently unsupported.
In practical terms, the transfer speed is impressive; transferring a 2 GB file from PC to phone took approximately six minutes, demonstrating efficiency in the process.
What You Need to Know About Phone Link and the Start Menu
As of now, third-party applications do not support the Start menu panels, though future updates may permit developers to create companion applications for the Start menu through the Microsoft Store.
The Phone Link panel is rich with features. It showcases recent calls, messages, photos, battery details, and Bluetooth status, enhancing user convenience by enabling quick access to important information directly from the Start menu.
During interaction with the Phone Link panel, clicking anywhere within this space opens links to the “Start settings”page, where users can manage their phone companion settings. Here, you can enable or disable the display of your mobile device on the Start menu by toggling the ‘Show mobile device in Start’ option.
The three-dot menu within the Phone Link panel offers an additional layer of customization, allowing you to manage recent activity—including hiding or showing calls, messages, and photos directly from the Start menu.
As Microsoft regularly releases new features, the evolution of the Start menu will continue, potentially enhancing accessibility and user interface far beyond the current offerings.
What are your thoughts on the **Send Files** feature available in the Start menu? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I enable the Send files feature in Windows 11?
To enable the Send files feature, ensure that your Android phone is connected to the Phone Link app. Click on the “Send files” option in the Start menu to begin transferring files.
2. Are there any limitations on the types of files I can send?
Currently, there are no specific limitations on file types when using the Send files feature. However, sending entire folders is not supported.
3. What is the expected transfer speed for large files?
Based on testing, transferring a 2 GB file from a PC to an Android phone takes around 6 minutes, indicating good transfer speeds for large files.
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