Getting Started with Continue on PC

With our growing use of mobile devices such as our phones and tablets, there are times where we need to transition from our mobile device to our computer. For example, you may use the browser on your phone to start searching for something, but then you want to complete the search on your computer. The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update provides a way for you to do this, using a feature called Continue on PC. To get started using Continue on PC, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner. Windows displays the Start screen.
2. Click on the Settings button (it looks like a small gear). Windows then displays the Settings dialog box.
3. Click on the Phone option, which displays the Your Phone section of the Settings window. (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. The Your Phone section of the Settings window.

4. Click on the Add a Phone link under Linked Phones. If you have not already signed in with your Microsoft ID you will need to sign in. Once you are signed you will see the Link Your Phone and PC screen. (See Figure 2.)



Figure 2. The Link Your Phone and PC screen.

5. Enter your phone number for your iPhone or Android device. You will then receive a link on your phone, via text/SMS, that will direct you to whatever app store is appropriate for your phone. You then need to download the Edge web browser on your phone.
6. Once you have downloaded the Edge app launch it and log in with your Microsoft account. (See Figure 3.)



Figure 3. The Sign In to Microsoft Edge screen on an iOS device.

With Microsoft Edge installed on your phone you can then can begin to use the Continue on PC feature. While using the Edge app, tap on the Continue on PC icon in the top-left corner next to the Address bar. You will then see a list of connected PCs (these are Windows 10 PCs currently logged in using your Microsoft account). (See Figure 4.)

Figure 4. The Choose a PC screen on an iOS device.

You have three options at this point: Choose a PC to open the link on your computer; Continue Later, which adds a notification to your desktop's notification window; or you can Cancel.

If you selected a PC, the app sends the web link to your Windows 10 system, launches the Edge web browser on that system, and loads the URL you were looking at on your phone. Note: Even if your default web browser is set to something other than Edge, the link will still open in Edge on your PC.

With Continue on PC you can begin to look for information, such as looking for tips or tutorials, researching a report, or online shopping, and just finishing your search on a bigger screen.

 This tip (13541) applies to Windows 10.