How to: Install and Setup Android Subsystem on Windows Laptop or PC

Download Windows Subsystem for Android 12.1 (WSA) on any Windows 11 version

Source: Androidsage.com

Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) is a program for Windows 11 that enables users to run Android applications on Windows. Similar to the WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), WSA can launch Android apps on Windows 11 PCs like they are native to the operating system. You can enjoy the likes of Android on Windows!

Just recently, WSA got updated to Android 12.1. Here is how to install the latest WSA with Android 12.1/12L on any Windows 11 PC without any error.

Microsoft has been testing Windows Subsystem for Android (WAS) for a while now. However, this is only available for Windows 11 Insiders, i.e. on the Beta or Dev channel. The best part is that you don’t need to become a Windows Insider and download the Dev build or Beta build just to try out Windows Subsystem for Android in Windows 11.

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install the latest WSA with Android 12.1 OS on any Windows 11 build including the stable/production build.

Windows Subsystem for Android 12.1 update on Windows 11

According to Microsoft’s changelog for WSA, the Windows Subsystem for Android has been updated to version 2204.40000.19.0 featuring Android 12.1, a.k.a Android 12L, with several exciting new features, major Windows integration improvements, and a new Settings app experience.

Full Changelog

• Windows Subsystem for Android updated to Android 12.1
• Advanced networking on by default for newer x64 Windows builds
• Updated Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app: redesigned UX and diagnostics data viewer added
• Simpleperf CPU profiler recording now works with Windows Subsystem for Android
• Windows taskbar now shows which Android apps are using microphone and location
• Improvements to Android app notifications appearing as Windows notifications
• Reduced flicker when apps are restored from minimized state
• Apps are not restarted when devices come out of connected standby on recent Windows builds
• New video hardware decoding (VP8 and VP9)
• Fixes for on-screen keyboard in apps
• Fixes for full screen Android apps and auto-hidden Windows taskbar
• Windows Subsystem for Android updated with Chromium WebView 100
• Added support for Android NetworkLocationProvider in addition to GpsLocationProvider
• Improved general stability, performance, and reliability

Note that the official WSA on Windows 11 comes in collaboration with the Amazon App Store. So you will not see Google apps like the Play Store and Play Services; which, to be honest, are quite essential for many apps.

However, don’t worry we will show you how to root WSA and install Google Play Store in the next tutorial. Similar to how we bypassed the Windows 11 TPM and Secure Boot requirements.

As an alternative, you can use the microG or Vanced microG, you can install YouTube Vanced or Vanced Music without Google Play Services for now. Stay tuned for rooted WSA with Google Play Store tutorial.

Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 with Android 12.1

Download and Install WSA on Windows 11

If your device is on the Windows 11 Beta Channel or Dev Channel, you can download the Windows Subsystem for Android with Amazon Appstore here.

For stable or production versions,

• Download the WSA Android 12.1 zip (Telegram Channel Link)
  • Extract upon download and rename the folder to WSA

Alternatively, follow the tutorial below if you want to download the latest WSA from Microsoft servers.

1. Enable Virtual Machine Platform

• Click on Start.
• Search for Turn Windows features on or off. Click on the first option.
• Scroll down and search Virtual Machine Platform.
• Checkbox and click OK.
• Restart Windows.

2. Install Microsoft UI Xaml 2.6+

The Microsoft UI Xaml includes the framework to run Windows Subsystem for Android. It comes pre-installed on Windows Insider builds – Beta and Dev Channel. For stable Windows 11 device, you will need this app.

Otherwise, you will get an error while trying to install WSA similar to this:

^{Windows cannot install package MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_1.7.32815.0_x64_8wekyb3d8bbwe because this package depends on a framework that could not be found. Provide the framework “Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6” published by “CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US”, with neutral or x64 processor architecture and minimum version 2.62108.18004.0, along with this package to install. The frameworks with name “Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6” currently installed are Windows cannot install package MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_1.7.32815.0_x64_8wekyb3d8bbwe because this package depends on a framework that could not be found. Provide the framework “Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6” published by “CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US”, with neutral or x64 processor architecture and minimum version 2.62108.18004.0, along with this package to install. The frameworks with name “Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6” currently installed are: {}}

Steps to install Microsoft UI Xaml:

• Launch a browser.
• Visit the website – rg-adguard.net
• Then change the first option to ProductID.
• Paste 9P3395VX91NR in the search bar.
• Change the channel to RP.
• Click on thebutton.
• Let it generate the list of files.
• Download the following file from the list

• Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6_2.62112.3002.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appx

  
  Make sure to download the x64 version. The version may change with time.
• Double click the file once it gets downloaded.
• Install the file
• You are now ready to install WSA

Download & install Microsoft UI Xaml WSA framework windows 11

Install Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11

1. Let’s download the Windows Subsystem for Android. You can also get the package from the downloads above and skip to Step 11.
2. Visit store.rg-adguard.net again.
3. Change the first option to ProductID.
4. Paste 9P3395VX91NR in the search bar.
5. Change the channel to Slow.
6. It should look like this.
7. Click on thebutton.
8. Let it generate the list of files.
9. Download the following file from the list

10. MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_2204.40000.19.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle

    
    Should be the last one with a 1.3 GB file size.
11. Go to the location where you have downloaded the WSA bundle file.
12. Right Click on the WSA file and select Copy as Path.
13. 
14. Now, search for Windows PowerShell in the Windows search.
15. Launch the PowerShell as administrator.
16. Paste the following code in the PowerShell window:

Add-AppxPackage -Path

• Right after the -Path text, press the spacebar, and paste the “Copy as Path” text from earlier using keyboard shortcut CTRL + V.
• The code should look like this:

Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Users\Downloads\WSA\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_2204.40000.19.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.Msixbundle"

Note: Make sure to replace the path in double quotes to the actual WSA file path and make sure the file extension is present at the end of the query, i.e., .Msixbundle

• Let the installation finish.
• Once done, type Android in the Windows Search and you will see the Windows Subsystem for Android installed.

That’s it. Enjoy Android on Windows!

Before you go, see these important tutorials:

Recommended Android Apps to Install on Windows 11

Here are some must-have apps to install on Windows 11.

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