Windows 11’s Android integration gets long-requested file sharing

Microsoft is starting to enable File Sharing in its Android feature for Windows 11. The update to Windows Subsystem for Android is now available for all Windows Insiders to test and includes file sharing, drag and drop support, camera improvements and general bug fixes. ,

“We’ve been listening to the community, and many of you have been asking us to support sharing files between Windows and the subsystem,” says Blog post in the Windows Subsystem for Android team, “We’re pleased to announce that Windows Subsystem for Android can now share your Windows user folders, such as Documents and Pictures, with the subsystem, so uploading photos to social media apps or editing videos in creative apps scenarios like that work seamlessly.”

Folder sharing is enabled by default for Preview users and Android apps can only view or edit your Windows files with your permission. Android apps must show a permission request dialog and permissions can be revoked from Settings. Microsoft is scanning all Android apps during install with Microsoft Defender or whatever antivirus software you’re using to prevent malicious apps from loading.

Microsoft is limiting file sharing support to only Windows user profile folders, which include the typical Documents, Photos, and Videos folders. Windows system folders, external drives or folders such as Program Files will not be supported for file sharing. Some file types such as .exe are also blocked from file sharing.

File sharing support is likely to arrive for all Windows 11 users in the coming weeks, given that Microsoft has already rolled it out to all Windows Insider channels. Microsoft typically does not release Windows Updates to the Release Preview channel until they are ready for release.