How to Install & Enable Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 11
Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) was one of the most interesting features introduced with Windows 11 because it allowed compatible Android apps to run directly on a Windows PC without requiring a traditional Android emulator. It created an Android environment inside Windows and integrated mobile apps with the Windows desktop.
However, there is an important update you should know before trying to install WSA today. Microsoft officially discontinued Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore on March 5, 2025. As a result, WSA is no longer available through the Microsoft Store for new installations.
That means the original Microsoft-supported installation method described in many older Windows 11 guides no longer works. If you already have WSA installed on an older Windows 11 installation, you may still be able to access its settings. If you are starting from scratch, however, there is no current official Microsoft method for installing WSA.
With that important distinction out of the way, let’s look at what WSA was, how the original installation worked, what you can check on an existing PC, and what your options are today.
What is Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA)?
Windows Subsystem for Android, commonly called WSA, was a Windows 11 component designed to provide an Android runtime environment on a Windows PC. In simple terms, it allowed Windows to run compatible Android applications alongside regular Windows programs.
WSA worked differently from a conventional Android emulator. Instead of presenting you with a complete virtual Android phone interface, it provided an Android environment that could run supported mobile applications while allowing those apps to appear in the Windows Start menu and interact with the desktop.
Microsoft originally distributed WSA together with the Amazon Appstore. After installation, users could access Android applications through the Amazon Appstore, while the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings application provided controls for the underlying Android environment.
WSA also supported features such as application file access, graphics acceleration, keyboard and mouse input, and other Windows integration features. Microsoft documented support for keyboard navigation, mouse or trackpad interaction, gamepads, and certain pen functionality within compatible Android apps.
For a new Windows 11 installation in 2026, though, WSA should be considered a discontinued Windows feature, rather than an actively supported Windows component.
How to Install & Enable Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 11
The original WSA installation process was relatively straightforward when Microsoft still distributed it. Today, the situation is different. You cannot simply open the Microsoft Store, search for WSA, and install it because Microsoft removed WSA and the Amazon Appstore from the Store beginning March 5, 2025.
Therefore, the safest approach is to first determine whether WSA is already installed on your Windows 11 PC. If it is present, you can access its settings and manage the existing installation.
If it is not present, you should understand that obtaining old WSA packages from unofficial sources is not the same as performing an official Microsoft installation.
Step 1: Check Your Windows 11 Version
Before looking for WSA, confirm that you are actually running Windows 11. This is useful because WSA was designed specifically for Windows 11.
Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter. The About Windows window will display your Windows version and build information.
You can also use the Windows Settings application. Go to Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. This section shows your Windows edition, version, and OS build.
If you are using Windows 11, continue with the next step. If you are using Windows 10, WSA is not an option because Microsoft designed the feature for Windows 11.
Step 2: Check Whether WSA Is Already Installed
The next step is to determine whether Windows Subsystem for Android already exists on your computer.
Open the Start menu and select All apps. Scroll through the application list and look for Windows Subsystem for Android.
You can also use Windows Search. Press the Windows key and type Windows Subsystem for Android. If Windows displays the application, select it to open its settings.
Microsoft’s documentation identifies the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings application as the place where users can manage mobile app settings.
If the application is present, WSA was installed on that Windows installation. If Windows cannot find it, move to the next step.
Step 3: Understand Why You Cannot Install WSA from Microsoft Store
If you cannot find WSA, do not assume that something is wrong with your Microsoft Store.
The reason is that Microsoft removed Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore from the Microsoft Store on March 5, 2025. This is an intentional change rather than a temporary Store problem.
In older tutorials, you may see instructions such as: Go to Microsoft Store > Search for Amazon Appstore > Select Get > Install. That procedure applied when the feature was officially available. It should not be presented as a current installation method.
This is the most important part of this guide because following outdated instructions can lead you to spend time troubleshooting a feature that Microsoft no longer distributes.
Step 4: Check Virtualization If WSA Is Already Installed
If WSA is already installed on your computer and you are having trouble running Android applications, check whether Virtual Machine Platform is enabled.
Open Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Go to Apps > Optional features > More Windows features. In the Windows Features window, look for Virtual Machine Platform and make sure it is enabled.
Microsoft listed Virtual Machine Platform as a requirement for running mobile apps through WSA. Microsoft also specified that compatible systems needed an appropriate processor architecture and recommended an SSD and 16 GB of RAM for a better experience.
After enabling the feature, Windows may ask you to restart the computer. Restart Windows before testing WSA again.
Step 5: Check Hardware Virtualization in BIOS or UEFI
If Virtual Machine Platform is enabled but WSA still does not work, your computer’s hardware virtualization setting may need attention.
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings using the key specified by your computer manufacturer. Depending on the manufacturer and processor, the setting may be called Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel VT-x, AMD-V, SVM Mode, or something similar.
Enable the appropriate virtualization option, save the firmware settings, and restart Windows.
The exact BIOS navigation differs between Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, MSI, and other manufacturers, so avoid changing unrelated firmware settings if you are unfamiliar with BIOS or UEFI.
Step 6: Check Your Graphics Driver
Graphics compatibility can also affect Android applications that depend on accelerated graphics.
To check your graphics hardware, go to Start > Device Manager > Display adapters. Windows will display the GPU installed in your PC.
Microsoft explained that compatible graphics drivers were required for the best DirectX 12 graphics experience with Windows Subsystem for Android. Microsoft recommended obtaining appropriate drivers from the GPU manufacturer.
If your graphics driver is outdated, update it using the appropriate driver provided by your computer or GPU manufacturer.
Step 7: Open WSA Settings and Review Its Configuration
If WSA is already installed, open Start > All apps > Windows Subsystem for Android.
The WSA Settings application was designed to provide control over the Android environment. Microsoft documented settings related to the subsystem’s system behavior, files, application access, and other features.
If you see the WSA Settings application, your computer has an existing WSA installation. You can review the available options and determine whether the subsystem is functioning correctly.
Keep in mind that discontinued software may not receive new feature updates or ongoing support from Microsoft.
Step 8: Do Not Confuse WSA With an Android Emulator
If WSA is missing from your PC, you may come across websites offering old WSA packages or modified installation files.
Be careful here. An unofficial WSA package is not the same thing as an official Microsoft installation. Installing modified system components from an unknown source can introduce security, compatibility, or update problems.
If your objective is simply to run Android applications on Windows 11, a currently maintained Android solution may be more appropriate than trying to recreate the discontinued WSA environment.
This distinction is particularly important for beginners because an old tutorial may make WSA appear to be a normal Windows feature that can still be installed through the Microsoft Store. That is no longer accurate.
Top Uses
| Use | What WSA Was Designed For |
| Run Android apps | Allowed compatible Android applications to run within Windows 11 |
| Mobile app testing | Provided developers and power users with an Android environment on Windows |
| Desktop integration | Android applications could appear alongside Windows applications |
| Keyboard and mouse control | Supported common PC input methods for compatible Android applications |
| File access | WSA provided ways to access files associated with mobile applications |
| Gaming | Compatible Android games could use keyboard, mouse, or supported game controllers |
| Graphics acceleration | Supported compatible graphics hardware and drivers for improved application performance |
| App management | WSA Settings provided controls for managing the Android subsystem |
Faqs
Can I still install WSA on Windows 11?
Not through Microsoft’s official current installation method. Microsoft discontinued Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore on March 5, 2025, and removed them from the Microsoft Store.
Why can’t I find Windows Subsystem for Android in Microsoft Store?
This is expected. WSA is no longer available through the Microsoft Store because Microsoft ended its distribution and support on March 5, 2025.
Can I use WSA if it is already installed?
If WSA remains installed on an older Windows 11 installation, you may still be able to open its settings and use the existing environment. However, because the feature has been discontinued, you should not expect the same level of ongoing support as an actively maintained Windows component.
Does Windows 11 still support Android apps through WSA?
WSA is discontinued, so Windows 11 does not currently offer WSA as a new, officially supported installation option. Microsoft previously provided Android app support through WSA and the Amazon Appstore.
Do I need virtualization for WSA?
Yes. Microsoft’s WSA requirements included Virtual Machine Platform. Hardware virtualization may also need to be enabled in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI firmware.
How much RAM does WSA require?
Microsoft’s documentation listed 16 GB of RAM as recommended for mobile apps on Windows. Earlier WSA documentation also referenced lower minimum configurations, but 16 GB was the recommended amount for a better experience.
Can I download an old WSA package from the internet?
Technically, old or modified packages may be available from unofficial sources, but that does not make them officially supported Microsoft software. For security reasons, you should be especially careful with modified system packages and unknown installers.
Is WSA the same as an Android emulator?
No. WSA was a Windows subsystem designed to integrate Android applications into Windows, while a traditional Android emulator generally creates a more complete virtualized Android environment. The user experience and technical architecture are different.
Final Words
Windows Subsystem for Android was an important Windows 11 feature, but it is no longer an officially supported installation option. Microsoft ended WSA and Amazon Appstore availability on March 5, 2025, so current Windows 11 users cannot follow the old Microsoft Store installation process.
If you already have WSA installed, you can check it through Start > All apps > Windows Subsystem for Android and review its available settings. If you are installing Windows 11 today and WSA is missing, the absence is expected rather than a problem with your PC.
If your goal is to run Android apps on a current Windows 11 PC, consider a currently supported solution rather than depending on discontinued WSA components.
