How to set up Windows Subsystem for Android on your Windows 11 PC

Install Android apps on Windows 11

You can install the Windows Subsystem for Android using the installer package or sign up for the beta or developer builds in the Windows Insider Program (it only works in US or by changing region in settings). This guide focuses on the former.

Install Windows Subsystem for Android

To install WSA we will use the Microsoft Store Generation Project website. It gets the packages from the Microsoft server, the same server that Microsoft Store uses to install apps on your Windows PC, and it’s completely safe to use.

1. Visit store.rg-adguard.net.
2. Copy following link and paste it in the URL field: www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-subsystem-for-android/9p3395vx91nr

3. click Use the right drop-down arrow and select Slow.

4. press the checkmark to search for files.
5. Scroll down and click on the largest MSIX bundle to start the download. The latest version at the time of writing this (2204.4000.8.0) is 1.34GB.

6. After the download completes, browse to the location of the file.
7. Right-click the file and click Rename.
8. Add the text .appx at the end of the file and press Enter.

9. Double-click the file and click the To install Button.

10. After the installation is complete, the Windows subsystem for Android will start.

Installing an app store: Aurora Store

Now that you’re done installing WSA, you might think the next step is to install the Google Play Store and Play Services for a full Android experience. However, it’s not that simple. When WSA was first announced, people started looking for ways to install the Google Play Store on it. Someone was fumbling around with a script that made it possible to install the Play Store and other Google services on the fly. The scripts were later discovered to inject users with malware and malicious scripts as reported by Beeping computer.

There are many safe Play Store alternatives. One of our favorites is the Aurora Store. Because it’s possible to sideload apps on WSA, it’s easy to install the Aurora Store first, and then install your favorite apps.

1. Get the stable Aurora Store APK from its official website.
2. Install that Android debugging bridge. For more information, see the Windows: Manual setup section of our ADB guide.
3. Navigate to platform tools folder, right-click and select it Open in terminal.

4. Open Windows subsystem for Androidgo to developerand turn on developer mode.

5. once turned on, Android developer options appear in a window. Close it and you’ll see a series of numbers separated by periods and a semicolon.
6. Go to terminal and type connect adb number. Substitute number with the number you see in the developer mode Section. For example, adb connect 127.0.0.1:2000.
7. Once that’s done, it returns connected and prompts you to allow USB debugging. click To allow Continue.
8. Move the Aurora Store APK for platform tools folder.

9. Enter adb install AuroraStore_4.1.1.apk in the terminal. Here, 4.1.1 refers to the version number, which may differ depending on when you read this. Be sure to copy the exact file name and paste it into the terminal.

10. Once done, open the start menu. You can find the Aurora Store in the Featured section. Alternatively, you can also search for it using the search function search bar.

With the Aurora Store installed and ready to go, the next step is to open it, set it up, and install your favorite apps. Installing apps from the store is similar to the Google Play Store.

Set up Aurora Store

How to set up the Aurora Store.

1. press the Aurora shop start icon the application.

2. Accept the terms of use and click Next.

3. Check session installer and click Next.

4. Choose the theme and accent of the app and click on it Next.

5. Grant all required permissions and move on.
6. When you’re done, click Finished.
7. Since WSA doesn’t have GApps, the “Sign in with Google” option doesn’t work, so click Anonymous.

8. You will then see the Aurora Store home page.

9. To download an app, click on symbol and the To install button to start the download.

10. Once done, you will see a package installer window. click To install.

11. Once an app is installed, you can find it in the Recommended or All Apps section of the Start menu.

12. Here Instagram runs on WSA.

Like many alternatives to the Google Play Store, the Aurora Store has its flaws. One of them is app availability. However, you can counteract this by manually installing APKs from APK Mirror using install adb Command.

Install WSA by registering with Windows Insiders

The other method is to sign up for the Windows Insider Program. Installing the beta or developer versions allows you to try upcoming features at the expense of overall system stability. Regardless, it’s an option if you don’t want to rely on third-party tools. All you have to do is sign up for the Windows Insider Program beta, change your region to the US, and search and download the Amazon App Store in the Windows Store.

The Windows subsystem for Android is still limited

With the recently released version 2207.40000.8.0, WSA is now available for testing in Japan and Germany. There is still a long way to go before the feature makes it to the stable release. However, as support expands, it may arrive in your region sooner than expected.

One of the last updates to the Windows subsystem for Android has updated the Android version to Android 12L. WSA is a great tool for developers and enthusiasts who want to run Android apps on their Windows computers. However, an everyday user who may be unfamiliar with app sideloading may use the Amazon Appstore, which lacks popular apps. As a result, the entire WSA experience can feel unconvincing and gimmicky. We’re hoping Microsoft will add more depth and functionality in time for its stable release on Windows 11.