The easiest way to send and receive Android texts on your Windows PC - for free

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You normally need your smartphone to make phone calls, view text messages, and access your photos. But wouldn't it be convenient if you could do all those things and more on your Windows PC? Well, you can.

By pairing and syncing your Android phone with your Windows computer, you essentially unite the two. Your PC can then handle certain features and tasks from your phone -- a handy option if you're in front of your computer but your phone is out of reach.

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With your phone and PC paired through Microsoft's Phone Link app, you can use Windows to make and answer phone calls, read and respond to text messages, view photos on your phone ...