Microsoft has just recently opened access to install Android apps on Windows 11. But officially, only members of the Windows 11 Preview have this option. Fortunately, a way has been found to bypass this restriction and try out the Windows Subsystem for Android components even on the stable version of the system.
Android apps are immediately visible in the Microsoft Store, but when you try to install them, the system redirects you to the Amazon Appstore (an Android app store for Amazon devices, which cooperates with Microsoft) and prompts you to download the Windows subsystem for Android when you first install it and then reboot your computer.
So, here is how to install Android apps on Windows 11.
How to configure Windows 11 to run Android apps
If you want to configure your Windows 11 PC to run Android apps, you have to follow these steps:
- First of all, make sure that your desktop supports virtualization. To do this, open “Task Manager” and go to the “Performance” tab.
- Then, select the CPU and look at the text below the graphic. It should say “Virtualization: Enabled”. If virtualization is disabled, you need to enable it in the BIOS. Different manufacturers may have the setting in different sections and called differently, so you can search on Google for information for your specific device. If there is no setting in the BIOS or if the value in Task Manager doesn’t change, you are unlikely to be able to run the Windows Subsystem for Android on your computer.
- Next, open the “Start” menu, enter “Enable or Disable Windows Components” in the search box and select the appropriate result.
- In the window that appears, mark the “Virtual machine platform” checkbox, click “OK”, wait for the changes to be applied and reboot the PC.
Once you have completed these steps, your Windows 11 will be ready to install Android apps.
How to install Android apps on Windows 11
Before you start installing anything, you need to make sure that you are on the latest version of the Microsoft Store. Open the Microsoft Store and update all apps on the “Library” page. You need Microsoft Store version 22110.1402.6.0.
Now, if you want to install Android apps on your Windows 11 PC, you have to follow these steps:
- At first, open the Microsoft Store app. You can do it from the taskbar or from the “Start” menu.
- Once you are in the Microsoft Store app, go to the search field and enter “Amazon Appstore”.
- Then, click on the “Search” button.
- A page with the desired app will appear. Click on the “Install” option to continue.
- A pop-up window will appear to guide you through the setup process. After that, click on the “Set Up” option and continue to follow the steps to download the Amazon Appstore.
- Finally, restart your PC.
Once you have restarted your PC, open the Amazon Appstore from the “Start” menu apps list. Next, you have to sign in to your Amazon account or you can create a new one if needed. Once you’ve logged into the store, it works just like any other app store you’ve used. You can browse offers or search for something. Either way, select an app to install. The app will download and then install. When it’s finished, just open the app and enjoy it.
That’s all you need to do to install the Android app on your Windows 11 PC. If everything was successful, a shortcut to the installed application should appear in the “Start” menu. Installed applications are launched in the same way as Windows applications, that is, by simply clicking the icon in the “Start” menu.
