Samsung has however officially ended the life of Samsung DeX for PC on Galaxy devices which are running One UI 7 or above. DeX on One UI 6 will still be supported, but Samsung has officially announced that they will not be replenishing its technical support and the feature will be gradually removed during future updates. The customers who were used to the desktop-like experience from their smartphones face a change of mood in their productivity workflows due to this news.
Samsung, in addition, recommends that users switch to Link to Windows which is a Microsoft-integrated solution that allows the user to effortlessly synchronize between your Galaxy phone and your Windows PC.
Link to Windows: The New Default Integration for Samsung Galaxy
What is Link to Windows?
Link to Windows enables users of Galaxy to establish a wireless connection between their phones and a Windows PC so that they can:
- View and reply to text messages
- Access mobile apps
- Receive mobile notifications on the desktop
- Make and receive calls
- Copy and paste files between devices
This close connection is already built-in many Galaxy and Windows 10/11 devices by default.
Key Features of Link to Windows
- Recent Apps Access: Open recent apps on your PC and use them as if they were mobile apps.
- Phone Notifications Sync: Your phone notifications will be displayed on your desktop in real-time.
- Drag and Drop Files: You can easily share files between your phone and PC without any USB cable.
- Screen Mirroring: You can replicate your Galaxy screen on your PC with minimal delay.
However, please be aware that Link to Windows does not include a full DeX-style desktop interface nor support for USB tethering.
Feature Comparison: Samsung DeX vs. Link to Windows
| Feature | Samsung DeX for PC | Link to Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Screen App Support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Wired USB Connection | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Android Desktop UI on PC | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Wireless Mirroring & Access | ✅ Yes (Wi-Fi) | ✅ Yes (Wi-Fi only) |
| Recent Apps and Websites | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Notification Sync & Reply | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full Support |
| Call & Message Integration | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full Support |
| Windows Native Integration | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (via Microsoft) |
Setup Guide: How to Use Link to Windows on Samsung Galaxy
Link to Windows: Download official link
Step 1: Confirm Device Compatibility
Make sure that your Galaxy device runs on One UI 7 or higher version and that it is a Link to Windows-compatible device (generally, it covers S, Note, Z, and A-series devices).
Step 2: Pair Your Phone with Windows
- On your Galaxy phone:
- Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Link to Windows
- Turn On, then tap Add computer
- On your Windows PC:
- Launch the Phone Link app
- To follow the same Microsoft account, sign in on your phone.
- Follow the on-screen pairing instructions.
Step 3: Grant Necessary Permissions
- Permit action to work with messages, contacts, calls, notifications, and apps as given.
- If you want to have complete control with visual input, then turn the screen mirroring on as well.
Looking for DeX Alternatives? Best Open-Source Options in 2025
For folks who want a privacy-respected or open-source alternative to DeX, think of the below solutions:
1. scrcpy – Free & Open-Source Screen Mirroring
- Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Features:
- Control Android from PC via USB or Wi-Fi
- High-quality, low-latency streaming
- No app installation required on the phone
# Install via Homebrew (macOS) or Linux
brew install scrcpy
# On Windows, download from https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy
2. Vysor (Freemium)
- Easy screen mirroring with drag-and-drop
- Paid version offers wireless mode
3. DeskDock
- Share PC keyboard and mouse with Android
- Useful for multitasking with second screen setups
Tips to Enhance Productivity After DeX
- Use Multi-Window Mode on your Galaxy device while mirrored
- Pair a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse directly to your phone
- Utilize Samsung Flow for secure file sharing between PC and phone
- Enable Developer Options > Force Desktop Mode (requires rooted device for DeX-like hack)
Conclusion: Transition Smoothly Without Samsung DeX
Although Samsung DeX for PC is no longer supported in One UI 7, Link to Windows still serves as a good alternative for basic productivity and communication needs. Users who require more control can take advantage of scrcpy and similar apps without fearing privacy breaches. As Samsung reshapes its ecosystem, knowing new tools is the way to go for experience seamless mobile and desktop interactions.