A new Windows 10 update brings the photo sharing features found in Windows 11 to Android devices – but it’s still worth the wait

Microsoft recently released optional update KB5037849 for Windows 10, which introduces a useful feature we’ve only seen in Windows 11 that improves integration with Android devices.

This development is a bit unexpected as Microsoft is urging Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 and reminding them that the end of support date is approaching – so you can expect that the addition of new features to the older operating system will be postponed. bottom of the priority list, but that’s clearly not the case.

After installing update KB5037849, Windows Latest noticed that the “Mobile Devices” feature page, previously only visible in Windows 11, has been brought to Windows 10. This feature allows you to instantly access photos taken and stored on your phone on your computer. It appears as the “Mobile Devices” page in the Settings app, and when you enable “Allow this computer to access mobile devices,” you’ll be prompted to “Download and install Cross Device Experience Host” from the Microsoft Store.

It apparently requires signing in to a Microsoft account, but doesn’t require setup via the Phone Link app (which allows users to fully sync their Android or iPhone with their Windows PC in every way).

Once you’ve done this, you can go to the “Manage Devices” page (via the “Mobile Devices” panel) and turn on the “Get notifications about new photos” option. You’ll then receive notifications on your computer when you take new photos on your connected Android phone, allowing you to view your photos and edit them using the Snipping tool in Windows 11. You can also open photos with Paint or share them with others via Windows Share .

Microsoft Surface tablet on desk with businessman and businesswoman

(Photo: Worawee Meepian / Shutterstock)

For now, Windows 10 users will need to install the optional May 2024 update to get these capabilities, but all Windows 10 users are scheduled to receive the feature as part of the mandatory June 2024 patch update on Tuesday.

Keep in mind that each optional update is still in testing and may have unpredictable effects, so you may want to wait for the full patch release (which is actually just a week away today, so it’s not that far away).

If you cannot wait and want to install the optional KB5037849 update now, go to the following location: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Then click ‘Download and install’ where optional update is marked (check for updates if not).

This update also includes several bug fixes, as well as other changes, which you can check out in more detail on the official Microsoft support page for this patch.

I’m glad that Windows 10 is still getting new features, even if they’re not the biggest updates, and it’s good to see that Microsoft hasn’t completely abandoned the operating system, even though the planned end of support date has just passed in a year.

Let’s hope Microsoft continues to add features to improve Windows 10, although I imagine the company will stop this practice in the near future as resources will likely be redirected elsewhere, which will no doubt further disappoint Windows 10 fans.