Microsoft phone link - Access Android phone via win explorer

[bzemer]

Hi,
Microsoft has allowed Android devices to appear in the Windows Explorer devices list and be accessed remotely like a local drive.
However, when I view the drive tree in TC it will not populate the phone folder.
(It's not part of "This PC" drive overview, it's a whole new thing. More like how OneDrive and Cloud files appear separately in the list.

Can it be added to the list so it can be accessed with TC?

[ghisler(Author)]

I cannot see my phone in Explorer. Do I need a Microsoft app for this on the phone?

[Horst.Epp]

I cannot see my phone in Explorer. Do I need a Microsoft app for this on the phone?

Yes, Microsoft Link to Windows.
On the PC side, I prefer the Your Phone app.

[petermad]

Microsoft Link to Windows

Preinstalled on Samsung Phones.

[ghisler(Author)]

Thanks, found it!
After activating the connection, I can only see my photos in the separate "Smartphone-Link" app, but not in Explorer.
Where do you see the phone in Explorer?

[Alexx2000]

I guess it is about a latest Windows update, see Bye USB, File Explorer gets Android storage integration on Windows 11, Windows 10

[ghisler(Author)]

I read that and found out that I had to enable it in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile Devices. This is separate from "Smartphone link". Now my device appears in Explorer, but the folder is empty. In Explorer, it looks like it is mirroring the entire phone to the PC.