The latest Windows Subsystem for Android update allows users to exchange files between Windows 11 and Android apps running on Microsoft’s operating system. A great novelty introduced with the June update that will make life easier for users of Android applications on Windows.
Windows and Android cope a little better with the June update // Source: Microsoft
The file sharing between Windows 11 and the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) that many users have been asking for is now a reality.
Remember that the Windows Subsystem for Android allows you to run Android applications available on the Amazon Appstore.
In fact, thanks to the June update (2305.40000.4.0), initially provided by members of the Insider program, Microsoft offers an option that allows files and documents to be shared between the main installation of the operating system and the WSA. This novelty comes at the same time as bug fixes for the subsystem and alongside the usual Android security updates, notes XDA Developers.
As the technical site explains, this new feature will allow the WSA to share user files (documents, images, videos, etc.), which should make it easier, for example, to edit videos or edit photos with Android applications on Windows. Note, however, that with this new feature, folder sharing is on by default, but you can still turn it off if you prefer.
File sharing with the WSA, how does it work?
In detail, we learn that the Windows subsystem for Android sees your Windows files as if they are contained in an SD card. And for security reasons, Android applications that want to access it in read or write mode must first ask you for permission via a pop-up window. You are also free to revoke this consent later.
It is also worth remembering that in the May update of the WSA, a system was introduced that allows Android applications to analyze content in order to detect possible threats. The file sharing experience should therefore logically use these measures to be relatively safe and respect your private data.
It should also be noted that WSA access remains restricted. In particular, we learn that he cannot see the external devices, nor does he have the right to access the Windows system files or my files of other users.
Likewise, sharing of .exe files is not possible and Windows can only access files that the subsystem stores in /sdcard/Windows. Eventually, upon enabling sharing, the WSA will perform indexing, resulting in a temporary performance slowdown. A necessary evil for the launch of this new feature.
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