One of the most interesting innovations with Windows 11 is without a doubt Android app compatibility. The Windows Subsystem for Android, which inherits much of the Windows Subsystem for Linux, avoids the use of specific emulation and virtualization tools or screen mirroring solutions that would be introduced in Windows, allowing them to be used transparently on the host operating system.

It’s no secret that Microsoft is very interested in strengthening the relationship between Windows 11 and Android, to the point that Android 12 debuted in Windows 11 earlier than many smartphones that were still waiting for it, and it continues to improve this integration all the time. A deal, as I mentioned earlier, quite similar to the one WSL is getting, in what looks like a bet on Redmond’s part to turn Windows 11 into an operating system that includes most others.

In this sense, Microsoft has just announced a new version of the Windows subsystem for Android that will begin to be made available to all insiders in the United States. The most interesting thing, of course, apart from the news contained in it, is that this new version of WSA reaches three channels, remember that they are as follows:

• development pipeline: Ideal for very technical users. Be the first to have access to the latest builds of Windows 11 earlier in the development cycle and with the latest code. There will be some problems and low stability.
• Beta channel (recommended): Ideal for first time users. These builds of Windows 11 will be more reliable than builds from our development pipeline with updates verified by Microsoft. Your comments have the biggest impact here.
• Release the preview channel: Ideal if you want to preview some key features and fixes, plus get optional access to the next version of Windows 10 before it’s generally available to everyone. This channel is also recommended for business users.

The fact that the debut is happening in all three would therefore indicate that the arrival of this new version of WSA in the stable version of Windows 11 should not be delayed too much, otherwise it would not be in the preview channel. In other words, it seems quite possible that it will debut at the same time as Windows 11 22H2, especially if, as we told you a few days ago, its arrival will be pushed to September.

And what new features are included in this update? well this time it seems Microsoft wanted to focus on games:

• Support for games with joysticks (assigned to WASD)
• Gamepad game support
• Support for aiming in games using arrows
• Support for swiping in games using the arrow keys

In addition, the new version of WSA for Windows 11 also includes improvements in scrolling, Internet connection management, graphics, reliability fixes, new option to view/save diagnostic data in settings app Windows Subsystem for Android, security updates and an improved dialog when detecting an unsupported VPN, among others.