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Microsoft is quietly working on a new feature for Windows 11 that Apple has included with its devices for the last six years. Dubbed "shared audio," this free update will enable multiple people to listen to the same audio stream simultaneously — so you can listen to the same playlist, YouTube clip, Netflix show, or share a video call.
Currently in beta testing, when the new feature lands, Windows 11 users will be able to connect two Bluetooth-enabled devices to the same laptop, including headphones, speakers, earbuds, or hearing aids. Each of these audio devices will be treated to all of the features you'd expect, including voice isolation and noise cancellation.
Sound good? Unfortunately, this update won't be available on every device.
Microsoft's shared audio experience will only be available on select Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs.
These are Microsoft's AI-powered laptops with the latest version of Windows 11 installed on them, which benefit from a slew of unique features that cannot be replicated on laptops or Desktop PCs running Windows 11 that don't meet the Copilot+ requirements.
The first Copilot Plus PCs from the in-house team at Microsoft was the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop 7th Edition, which started to ship to those who preordered back in mid-June and are now widely-available | MICROSOFT PRESS OFFICE If you're looking to take advantage of this new feature, it's only available on the following Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs built by teams inside Microsoft:
- Surface Laptop, 13.8-inch and 15-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Laptop for Business, 13.8 and 15-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Pro, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Pro for Business, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
The new features are expected to also be available on these devices at a later date:
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 | Intel Core Ultra Series 200
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro | Intel Core Ultra Series 200
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 | Intel Core Ultra Series 200
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Laptop, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Laptop for Business, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Pro, 12-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Pro for Business, 12-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
There's no official date for when shared audio will be rolled out to everyone. However, you can sign up to be a Windows Insider to become an early tester.
If you want to become a Windows Insider, you'll need to follow these steps first:
- Navigate to the Windows Insider page
- Log in with your existing Windows account
- Follow the prompts to register your account as a Windows Insider
- Open Settings → Accounts → Windows Insider Program
- Click Sign in and choose the Microsoft account you registered.
- Accept the terms to link your account
You'll need a Windows 11 device to take advantage of Microsoft's new shared audio feature
|MICROSOFT PRESS OFFICE
Nearly a month ago, Microsoft halted giving free security updates on all Windows 10 devices. This means if you're using your laptop or desktop PC for online banking, financial spreadsheets, family photos, or other personal data, cybercriminals are much more likely to unearth a new loophole in Windows 10.
Microsoft will continue to offer free security updates to any Windows 10 user who signs-up to OneDrive cloud back-up. If not, there's a one-off £22 charge to ensure your device remains protected. The Redmond-based company clearly wants you to upgrade to Windows 11 sooner rather than later, despite offering this temporary reprieve.
If you avoid the switch to Windows 11, you'll miss out on new Windows features, which will be exclusive to the Windows 10 successor moving forward — such as shared audio.