Microsoft Launches Initial Android Application Support on Windows 11

[Uskompuf]

Microsoft has recently released a new Windows 11 beta build to Windows Insiders with initial support for running Android applications. The latest update brings the Amazon Appstore and the Windows Subsystem for Android allowing you to run a limited selection of 50 curated Android games and apps. The preview works on AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm equipped devices leveraging Intel Bridge Technology for AMD and Intel platforms. The current selection of applications doesn't include any benchmarking tools so we cannot definitively say how this compares with competing programs like BlueStacks or native performance. You cannot currently install applications from an APK file however Microsoft has previously confirmed that this will be possible so we may see this functionality introduced in future versions.

To get started with running Android applications on Windows 11 you will need to join the Windows Insider Program on your device and join the Beta Channel. The PC will need to be updated to Windows 11 build 22000.xxx or later and have virtualization enabled in the BIOS/UEFI. The Android Apps preview requires your PC region to be set to the US and you will also need a U.S.-based Amazon account to download applications. The Amazon Appstore can then be downloaded here which will also install and set up the Windows Subsystem for Android.





Known Issues

• Microsoft Store
  • The Microsoft Store does not display review ratings for Amazon Appstore apps.
• Amazon Appstore
  • If you are experiencing Amazon App Store sign in problems turn your Ad Blocker off.
  • Accessibility options are not yet enabled when using the Amazon Appstore.
• Windows Subsystem for Android
  • Network access issues on Cellular LTE on ARM64.
  • May see display visual artifacts on certain applications on ARM64.
  • Performance may vary when running multiple concurrent Apps.
  • There are known camera issues on certain apps.
  • Apps coming out of modern standby will encounter issues.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Caring1]

Too many conditions for now, I don't want to download from Amazon, Apps should be available from the Google App store.
I also don't want virtualization enabled as it is a security risk.

 

[EzioAs]

Too many conditions for now, I don't want to download from Amazon, Apps should be available from the Google App store.
I also don't want virtualization enabled as it is a security risk.

Granted, I haven't use the Amazon to download app, but I don't see any reason to prefer apps from one store to another, as long as they serve their download/update purpose similarly.

 

[Deleted member 185088]

Too many conditions for now, I don't want to download from Amazon, Apps should be available from the Google App store.
I also don't want virtualization enabled as it is a security risk.

Especially the stupid regional requirement doesn't make any sense.

 

[ZeppMan217]

Why Amazon?

 

[lexluthermiester]

Too many conditions for now, I don't want to download from Amazon, Apps should be available from the Google App store.
I also don't want virtualization enabled as it is a security risk.

This, on every point.

While the Amazon Apps store is good, it's not quite Google Play. And virtualization via HyperV is unacceptable.

Why Amazon?

Because Google told microsoft to get knotted.

 

[human_error]

Too many conditions for now, I don't want to download from Amazon, Apps should be available from the Google App store.
I also don't want virtualization enabled as it is a security risk.

This is probably on Google as for the Google App store devices must come with a bunch of other Google stuff including the google play services. Amazon are much more lenient and don't require additional things like that which is why their store will be allowed/installed - you can just install their APK and go. I'm sure future app stores will be added/allowed.

I wonder if the Netflix android app running on an Windows 11 PC will allow 4k playback? All the streaming services block 4k playback on PCs and only allow it on Android devices and streaming sticks/smart TVs today. This would be a wonderful solution if so.

 

[ZeppMan217]

I wonder if the Netflix android app running on an Windows 11 PC will allow 4k playback? All the streaming services block 4k playback on PCs and only allow it on Android devices and streaming sticks/smart TVs today. This would be a wonderful solution if so.

Doesn't the MS Store Netflix app allow 4K?

 

[ThrashZone]

Doesn't the MS Store Netflix app allow 4K?

Hi,
Think 4k was edge dependent

 

[human_error]

Doesn't the MS Store Netflix app allow 4K?

Nope 1080p max on Windows 10 - they removed 4k capability a while ago.. Can't get it with Edge browser either - unless things have changed since mid-September there is no way to stream 4k from Disney, Netflix, or Prime on Windows PCs via browsers or Windows apps (something I didn't know until I got my new 4k monitor, and was very disappointed to discover...)

 

[dayne878]

I don't care about this feature. It won't change my decision to switch to Windows 11 after I had problems with Windows 11 (taskbar kept disappearing and nothing fixed it).