Aug
Microsoft is testing features that allow a paired Windows PC to be shut down, restarted, or put into sleep mode from an Android device. Options are also being developed to install Windows Update and then automatically shut down or restart the computer.
Control a Windows PC from an Android phone
Microsoft continues to expand the integration between Windows 11 and Android. Through “Link to Windows on Android and “Phone Link” on Windows , users can already view messages, open photos, receive notifications, and make phone calls via their PC, among other things.
Brand New, currently inactive features in a recent Android build suggest that Microsoft plans to enable remote control of Windows 11 platform functions in the near future.
In addition, possibilities have been discovered for a linked PC:
- to disable;
- restart;
- put into sleep mode;
- Install Windows updates and then restart;
- Install Windows updates and then automatically disable them.
The features were found in a build of Pair with Windows dated August 25, 2026. They are currently disabled, and Microsoft has not yet officially announced the update.
Shut down Windows 11 using your smartphone
One of the most interesting features is the ability to remotely shut down a Windows computer.
This can be handy, for example, when you realize that a computer at home or at the office is still on while you’re already somewhere else. Instead of going back to the computer, you could then shut down the PC directly from the Android app.
Microsoft already offers an extensive connection between smartphones and Windows through Phone Link. With this expansion, the smartphone is increasingly becoming a remote control for the computer itself.
Restart Windows 11 from Android
Even a simple restart appears to be part of the brand new features.
This can be particularly useful after installing software, a driver, or a Windows update. Users would then no longer need to be physically at their computer to restart it.
The features identified also show that Microsoft takes into account open programs and unsaved files. For certain offers, a warning or confirmation may therefore be displayed before Windows is actually restarted.
Running Windows Update on Android
The integration with Windows Update makes this brand new feature even more interesting.
In the version of the app that was examined, options were found that correspond to the Windows functions “Update and restart ” and “Update and shut down.”
This would allow a user to install a pending Windows update from their Android smartphone and then choose what to do with the computer.
| Situation | Possible promotion via Android |
|---|---|
| PC is still on | Shut down the computer |
| Windows is asking for a restart | Restart PC |
| Windows Update is ready | Install the update and restart |
| Perform the update before the end of the day | Install the update and exit |
Can a Windows 11 PC also be powered on via Android?
For now, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
The newly discovered features specifically indicate that a computer put into sleep mode via the app must be physically woken up again. There are currently no indications that Microsoft is also adding a general feature via “Link to Windows that would allow a completely shut-down PC to be turned back on.
Technologies such as Wake-on-LAN have been around for some time, but that’s separate from the brand new features Microsoft currently appears to be testing.
What is Linking with Windows?
"Link to Windows " is the Android app that allows a smartphone to connect to a Windows computer. On the PC, Microsoft uses the "Phone Link" application for this purpose.
Depending on the device used, users can, among other things:
- read and reply to smartphone messages;
- View recent photos;
- receive notifications from their phone on Windows ;
- make phone calls via their PC;
- Exchange files and information between devices.
The ability to shut down, restart, and update Windows yourself would therefore be a clear next step in the integration between Windows and Android.
Which version of Windows do you need?
Microsoft has not yet announced genuine platform requirements for the brand new features.
As a result, it is not yet clear whether the remote control will be available on all Windows computers or only on recent Windows versions and certain Android devices.
| Question | Status |
|---|---|
| Does this work on every Windows PC? | Not yet available |
| Which Android version is required? | Not yet confirmed |
| Do the phone and PC need to be on the same network? | Not yet confirmed |
| Will this feature be coming to the iPhone as well? | Not yet available |
| When will the feature be released? | Microsoft has not yet announced a date |
When will the brand new feature be available?
There is currently no genuine release date.
The features are already present in the code for “Link with Windows,” but are currently disabled. Microsoft may activate them in a future app update or first make them available to a limited group of testers.
Until Microsoft officially announces the update, it remains unclear when Windows computers will actually be able to be locked and updated via Android.
Why is this Windows feature interesting?
Shutting down a computer remotely may seem like a minor addition at first glance. However, when combined with Windows Update, the feature becomes much more interesting.
For example, at the end of the workday, a user could start a Windows update from their phone, after which the PC would automatically shut down. The next morning, the platform would be updated without anyone having to stay at the computer during the installation.
For laptops and desktop computers that receive regular updates, this can simplify the management of Windows 11.
Windows and Android are becoming increasingly integrated
Microsoft has been investing for years in better integration between smartphones and Windows computers. While Phone Link was originally intended primarily to view notifications, messages, and photos from a phone on a PC, the feature is gaining more and more functionality.
By enabling remote control of shutdown, restart, and Windows Update, Microsoft would once again be taking a significant step forward.
This turns the smartphone not only into a device that shares information with Windows , but also into a way to control certain Windows features directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I already shut down my Windows 11 PC using Android?
Not yet via the brand new Microsoft feature. The options have been found in the Android app “Link to Windows,” but are not yet activated for regular users.
Can I restart Windows 11 from my phone?
According to newly discovered app features, Microsoft is working on a way to restart a linked Windows PC via Android. The feature has not yet been officially released.
Can Windows Update be launched from Android?
The features discovered suggest that this will be possible. Microsoft is testing options to install a Windows update and then either restart the computer or shut it down completely.
Can I also turn on my Windows PC from an Android device?
There are currently no indications that this is the case. When a computer is put into sleep mode using the brand new feature, it appears the user still has to go to the computer to wake it up again.
Which app do I need?
Microsoft uses the "Link to Windows" app on Android. On Windows , this is combined with Phone Link, also known as Microsoft Phone Link.
Using Windows 11 on your PC
Want to upgrade to Windows 11 or activate a brand new computer? Check out the Windows 11 Professional Retail key at CD-Keys.uk.
Sources: Windows Latest, Microsoft, and Tweakers. The brand new features described have not yet been officially activated by Microsoft as of the time of publication.
