Windows 11’s August Optional Update Adds Linked Android Devices to Windows Share

Microsoft has just released the August “Week D” preview update for Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2 (KB5041587), which brings a couple of new features that will roll out gradually to users who install it. The first one is the ability to share content from a linked Android phone right from the Windows Share window.

Microsoft has been testing this feature with Insiders since June, and it first requires users to pair their Android phone to their PC using the Link to Windows app on Android and Phone Link on Windows 11. After doing that, linked Android phones will show up as the first share target in Windows Share.

Today’s update also brings minor improvements to the Narrator and Voice Access features. Scan mode, which lets Narrator users navigate apps, email, and webpages using the arrow keys should now respond quicker. As for Voice Access, users can now dictate characters they spell at a faster speed and access more editing options for commands used to select, delete, and move within text.

Lastly, today’s optional update will change how the Widgets Board works for EU users. Some existing widgets will be removed or modified as Microsoft gets the infrastructure ready for third-party widget feeds. While these changes will take some time, this is the consequence of the EU’s Digital Markets Act forcing Microsoft to open up the Windows 11 Widgets Board to other news providers than Microsoft Start.