Forgot to lock your Windows PC? Now you can do it from anywhere thanks to Android

The connection between Windows PCs and Android phones is becoming increasingly tight. Microsoft is currently releasing an update to the Link to Windows app (known as Phone Link in Windows), which brings the ability to remotely lock your computer directly from your phone. A practical solution for situations where you leave your computer and realize you forgot to lock the screen.

Lock your PC directly from your phone

The new feature comes with Link to Windows version 1.25071.165 and higher. Simply open the app on your phone, where you’ll find a new “Lock PC” button. Once pressed, your computer will automatically lock without you having to touch it. To ensure higher security, the connection between the phone and the computer will also be disconnected after locking, and will only be restored upon re-login.

While Windows has long offered a dynamic lock feature that automatically locks the PC when you move away based on the phone’s Bluetooth connection, the new feature does not require Bluetooth and can be activated manually from anywhere.

Complete app redesign

The PC locking feature is part of a broader redesign of the Link to Windows app. It now centralizes all its key features in one place, where you can:

• View recently shared files and photos
• Check the last text copied to the clipboard (if clipboard synchronization is enabled)
• Initiate sharing files and photos from your phone to your computer
• Mirror your phone screen to your computer

A significant improvement is the ability to initiate these functions directly from your phone, whereas previously it was necessary to launch them from the computer.

Phone Link – a hidden gem of Windows 11

The Phone Link suite of tools is among the most useful features of Windows 11, which Microsoft recently enhanced by integrating it directly into the Start menu. This allows you to see an overview of your smartphone’s status without having to open a separate application.

Forgot to lock your Windows PC? Now you can do it from anywhere thanks to Android Jakub Kárník News Jakub Kárník News

The new add-on in the Start menu displays recent notifications and photos, and also provides quick access to messages, calls, and photos. It also allows you to send files directly to your phone via this new interface.

Samsung device owners have access to additional exclusive features, including the ability to automatically connect to their phone’s mobile hotspot directly from the Wi-Fi menu in Windows 11.

Microsoft is building an ecosystem that competes with Apple

With its Phone Link, Microsoft has fully embraced Android as an extension of the Windows PC, creating an ecosystem experience similar to that between an iPhone and a Mac. Some Phone Link features have even surpassed the connectivity capabilities of Apple devices, such as wireless phone screen mirroring to a PC, which works for Apple devices but not in EU countries.

Do you use the Windows and Android connection via Phone Link?

Source: WindowsCentral