Step-by-Step Guide to Enable the Resume Feature on Windows 11

• To activate the Resume feature in Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Apps > Resume, and toggle on both “Resume” and “OneDrive.”
• If you wish to turn off this feature, go to Settings > Apps > Resume, and disable “Resume.”

This guide will walk you through enabling the Resume feature on Windows 11. This functionality streamlines your workflow by allowing you to continue editing documents from your OneDrive that you initially started on your iPhone or Android device.

The Resume feature is not entirely revolutionary; it is reminiscent of previous functionalities like “Timeline” and “Cortana” found in Windows 10, which tracked user activities across OneDrive files, allowing users to pick up where they left off. However, due to their lack of popularity, Microsoft eventually phased them out.

Currently, this feature is still being refined and is available from Windows 11 build 22635.4515 (KB5046756) within the Beta Channel, with plans for broader rollout in versions 23H2 and 24H2. As of now, you need a device enrolled in the Windows Insider Program to access it.

In this article, I will provide you with the necessary instructions to enable and utilize the Resume function, along with steps to disable it if you choose to do so.

• Activating Resume on Windows 11
• Deactivating Resume on Windows 11

Activating Resume on Windows 11

To enable the Resume feature on your device, follow these steps:

1. Access Settings on your Windows 11 system.
2. Select Apps.
3. Click on the Resume application.
4. Toggle the Resume option to turn it on.

   

5. Then switch on the OneDrive option as well.

After completing these steps, as long as you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account on both your computer and OneDrive app on your mobile device, you should receive a toast notification containing a link to continue editing any document you accessed on your iPhone or Android device within the last five minutes after unlocking your computer.

Clicking on the notification will not launch the associated application installed on your system; instead, the document will resume from OneDrive using Microsoft 365 (Office) online applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. It is also possible to resume PDF documents.

For the Resume feature to function properly, ensure that the OneDrive app is active on your mobile device while your computer is locked. You will only see the toast notification after unlocking your computer within five minutes of accessing the file on your phone.

Deactivating Resume on Windows 11

To turn off the Resume function on your Windows 11 system, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Click on the Resume application.
4. Toggle the Resume option to turn it off.

   

Once you’ve finished these steps, the Resume feature will be disabled, preventing you from continuing work on files that you started on your iPhone or Android device.