Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) or equivalent, the ability to run Android apps on Windows, was one of the big news announced for Windows 11. Microsoft launched an unfinished system and, like other promised features, it was developed later. Now we have news.

Released a year ago to the Insider test channel, it was in “preview” until now, when Microsoft announced the release of version 1.0 and considered “stable” software. This means that it is ready for widespread use. Even so, WSA still has some development and Microsoft didn’t even officially announce it because it was the person in charge of WSA who said it on Twitter.

Windows Subsystem for Android is now stable

It must be said that WSA is similar in concept to WSL for Linux, although it has a much greater impact due to the potential use of any mobile user. Microsoft has been at it for a long time, having “adopted” Android as its own operating system, created a launcher, ported all kinds of apps, used Android in its return to mobile hardware, and signed strategic deals with big companies such as by default on your terminals.

Once activated, WSA will allow you to install and run Android applications as if they were native Windows applications. App icons appear in the Start menu, taskbar, and other places, and apps launch in windows that can be resized or moved. It supports ARM and x64 PCs with at least 8GB of RAM.

This does not mean that all Android apps can be run. Microsoft has teamed up with Amazon to bring the e-commerce giant’s Appstore, along with a redesigned Microsoft Store, to deliver mobile apps directly to Windows. Here is the big problem WSA does not officially support the Google Play Store or other Google services where most Android apps are. Google Play can be used casually, yes.

In addition to stable settings, the new version brings improvements to the camera, clipboard, graphics and multi-threaded performance, among others.