• 2 min read
Windows 11 may put your phone on the taskbar
A leaked Windows 11 update could bring tighter Android controls into Start and the taskbar, with Samsung Galaxy Book users set to benefit most.
Image: ITzine
Microsoft is reportedly preparing a notable upgrade to how Windows 11 works with Android. If a Windows Central leak is accurate, owners of Galaxy Book laptops and Samsung phones will be able to control their handset directly from the Start menu and taskbar, without constantly opening Phone Link.
According to Windows Central, Microsoft is testing a redesigned Phone Companion inside Start. The system would surface more phone activity directly in the Windows 11 interface, including device status, quick actions, and access to communication features without launching a separate app window.
The most practical addition may be a dedicated phone icon in the taskbar. The report says this could open a compact panel showing the smartphone’s current status and shortcuts such as Do Not Disturb, Find my phone, and a command to trigger vibration.
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Microsoft is also said to be working on full clipboard history sync between PC and Android. Right now, Phone Link can transfer only the most recently copied item, not the full history. The company is also reportedly building a separate Messages app so phone conversations can be pinned in the Start menu as a standalone shortcut.
For Samsung, the update matters more than most. Microsoft has been expanding Phone Link for years, and Samsung has long been one of its closest partners, dating back to Link to Windows on Galaxy flagships. That makes the comparison with Apple’s iPhone and Mac integration hard to miss.
Pressure in the PC market remains strong. According to StatCounter, Windows is still the dominant desktop OS, but macOS maintains a double-digit market share, and PC makers are increasingly competing on ecosystem convenience as much as hardware.
For now, these features are still at the prototype stage, so the final set could change before release. The next clue should come in upcoming Windows 11 Insider builds. If Microsoft ships the update in 2026, Galaxy Book will gain another argument against the MacBook — not a new chip, but fewer steps in everyday tasks.
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via ITzine
