Windows 10 Anniversary Update will not bring the anticipated “Messaging Everywhere” functionality

Dave W. Shanahan

Windows 10 Anniversary Update, Messaging Everywhere

With the announcement of Windows Insider Preview build 14376 to Insiders on the Fast Ring earlier today, it appears that the much-anticipated “Messaging Everywhere” feature will not be coming in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

Microsoft noted at the end of the long list of improvements and fixes for Windows 10 Insider build 14376 for PC and Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview build 14376:

“We have been testing with Windows Insiders a preview of the “Messaging everywhere” feature that allows you to receive and send text messages from your Windows 10 phone directly to and from your Windows 10 PC. The experience was well-received by Insiders, however, we believe we can deliver an even better experience through the Skype app. Because of this, we decided not to release this feature as part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer. Starting with Build 14376 and going forward, Insiders will no longer have the ability to reply to text messages from their phone via the Messaging app on their PCs. The ability to reply to text messages on your PC using Cortana is unaffected. Going forward, we will be working with the Skype Team on delivering a great “messaging everywhere” experience on your Windows 10 devices through the Skype app. We will share more details about this experience in the months ahead.”

Not exactly the news that some of us would like to hear, especially for those that don’t use Skype. However, the “Messaging Everywhere” decision might be something that is beyond Dona Sarkar and her team’s control. Being a Windows Insider, replying to a text message via the PC will be one feature that will be deeply missed.