Ask Dave Taylor
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • YouTube Videos
  • Top Categories
  • Subscribe via Email
  • Ask A Question
  • Meet Dave
  • Home
  • Android Help
  • Guide to Running Android Apps on a Windows 11 PC

Guide to Running Android Apps on a Windows 11 PC

January 18, 2023 / Dave Taylor / Android Help, Windows PC Help / 1 Comment

There are a lot of Windows 11 apps, programs, and games, but imagine you could run Android applications on your PC too! Turns out that you can do just that with the latest version of Windows 11, though it’s not through Microsoft. Here’s how to get it all working…

While Windows developers have been creating productivity tools and big, complex games for many years, a lot of the best casual games and social media programs have been showing up on mobile devices. Indeed, some social networks are mobile-only, meaning you can’t avoid pulling out your phone if you want to post on Instagram, check your BeReal, and enjoy a lively discussion on Clubhouse.

Except it turns out that there is a way you can run quite a lot of Android applications directly on your Windows PC, no mobile device needed. What you do need is an Amazon account, because it’s the Amazon development team that’s pulled it all together, not Microsoft. Why? That’s a tough question to answer, but the good news is that we can enjoy the proverbial fruit of their labor without knowing why Microsoft didn’t solve this problem itself.

Shortcuts: Installing Amazon Appstore | Running Amazon Appstore | Run Android Game on PC

In this guide I’m going to show you how to install the Windows Subsystem for Android, then find a game, install it, and give it a quick whirl on my Windows computer. Before you follow along, it’s imperative that you have the very latest version of Windows 11, so start by checking for Windows updates.

STEP 1: INSTALL AMAZON APPSTORE

It’s completely unintuitive, but the first step is to open up the Microsoft Store and search for an app called “Amazon Appstore”…

run android on windows 11 - amazon appstore in microsoft store

Yes, it has pretty low star ratings, but don’t worry about that. Proceed by clicking on the blue “Install” button. This app is a fairly complex install, however, because it also adds some behind-the-scenes tools that let the system use something called virtualization to run Android within your Windows operating system. As you proceed, in addition to the prompts from within the Microsoft Store, you’ll also need to grant system access to Host Process for Windows Server and Dism Image Servicing Utility.

The install itself requires three steps and will involve restarting your computer once it’s done. As with many big installs, it’s smart to just quit every other program you have running until the restart.

Step 1 of 3, as shown, requires granting those system permissions:

run android on windows 11 - step 1 of 3

Proceed by clicking on “Set up“. Then Step 2 of 3 will involve actually installing the program itself, though that’s not clearly explained, nor is the icon particularly informative:

run android on windows 11 - step 2 of 3

Scroll down just a bit once you click on “Download” and you can follow its progress:

run android on windows 11 - download progress amazon appstore

Finally, step 3 of 3 is easy enough:

run android on windows 11 - step 3 of 3 installing amazon appstore

Click on “Restart” and your PC will restart; you’re done!

STEP 2: THE AMAZON APPSTORE

When your computer restarts and you log in to your account, you’ll notice that something new shows up:

run android on windows 11 - starting up windows subsystem for android

Windows Subsystem for Android will run in the background so shouldn’t be anything you’ll have to worry about; if you’re like most PC users, you only restart when forced, so you won’t see that too often.

Once you’re back to your usual Desktop view, it’s time to actually view what you should consider The Android App Store, though it’s called Amazon Appstore. Remember, we installed it a few minutes ago!

run android on windows 11 - amazon appstore - log in to amazon account

You can set up a new account, but it’s just as easy to log in to your usual Amazon account, which is what I choose to do. Hopefully, you have two-step verification set up – here’s how to set up Amazon 2-step verification for account security – so you’ll have to go through that process too.

Once you’re logged in, you can finally see Amazon Appstore, which looks quite a bit like both the Microsoft Store and, on your Android device, Google Play Store:

run android on windows 11 - amazon appstore home screen

There aren’t as many apps as the actual Google Play Store, from what I can tell, but it’s remarkable how many Android apps are available through this particular channel nonetheless. Games? It’s a separate category, making it easy to find something fun to play. You can also use the search feature to check if your favorite Android apps have made it into Amazon Appstore too.

STEP 3: INSTALL AN ANDROID APP ON YOUR PC

I definitely enjoy playing casual games on my Android phone so let’s check that category out in the Amazon Appstore too. Easily done: Click on “Games”. Here’s a likely candidate!

run android on windows 11 - android game bubble shooter

There are a lot of games with this basic gameplay premise, so I know I can jump right in and play this one too, perhaps while on a Skype or Zoom call! Wait, did I say that out loud? 🙂

To install a game, click on “Download“. At this point, all the Android system has been installed and is running, thanks to Windows Subsystem for Android, so it’s exactly like how you would install a new app on your Android device. Once downloaded the button changes to “Open”:

run android on windows 11 - open android app

A click and the game launches, ready to play!

run android on windows 11 - running android bubble shooter game on pc

Hang on, I need to clear a few levels…

Okay. Back. That’s it. When you’re done with the app, simply click on the “X” on the top right. The new Android app is also now part of your Windows experience so you can even search for it if you want to run the program again:

run android on windows 11 - search for android app on windows pc

I would definitely discourage you from running any Android app “as administrator”, so make sure you click “Open”. Notice, however, you can also pin it to Start, your Taskbar, even Uninstall it, all from this spot in Windows 11. Handy!

Power Tip: I’ve been writing about Windows and Android for many years and have extensive Windows 11 help and Android help libraries here. Please check them out while you’re visiting. Thanks!

About the Author: Dave Taylor has been involved with the online world since the early days of the Internet. Author of over 20 technical books, he runs the popular AskDaveTaylor.com tech help site. You can also find his gadget reviews on YouTube and chat with him on Twitter as @DaveTaylor.

Let’s Stay In Touch!

Never miss a single article, review or tutorial here on AskDaveTaylor, sign up for my fun weekly newsletter!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please enter all required fields
Correct invalid entries
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz
Please choose a color:
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!
android for pc, android on windows

One comment on “Guide to Running Android Apps on a Windows 11 PC”

  1. Bill Carney says:
    January 25, 2023 at 12:08 pm

    If you are running Windows on a Virtual Machine like I am, make sure the VM is allocated 16GB or more of RAM< otherwise the Amazon Appstore won't appear in your search results.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • How to Check Energy Recommendations on your Windows Laptop
  • How Do I Customize New Tab Windows in Safari for Mac?
  • Can AI-Generated ChatGPT Text Be Accurately Identified?
  • How to Perform a Microsoft Account Security Audit and Checkup
  • How Can I Customize My Linux Dock / Taskbar?

On Our YouTube Channel

How to: Replace a Switchbot Door Sensor Battery

EMEET Luna vs INNOTRIK Studio Bluetooth Speakerphones -- DEMOS & REVIEW

Categories

  • AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help (106)
  • Amazon, eBay, and Online Shopping Help (163)
  • Android Help (226)
  • Apple iPad Help (147)
  • Apple Watch Help (53)
  • Articles, Tutorials, and Reviews (346)
  • Auto Tech Help (15)
  • Business Advice (200)
  • ChromeOS Help (31)
  • Computer & Internet Basics (778)
  • d) None of the Above (166)
  • Facebook Help (383)
  • Google, Chrome & Gmail Help (188)
  • HTML & Web Page Design (247)
  • Instagram Help (49)
  • iPhone & iOS Help (623)
  • iPod & MP3 Player Help (173)
  • Kindle & Nook Help (99)
  • LinkedIn Help (88)
  • Linux Help (173)
  • Linux Shell Script Programming (89)
  • Mac & MacOS Help (911)
  • Most Popular (16)
  • Outlook & Office 365 Help (33)
  • PayPal Help (68)
  • Pinterest Help (54)
  • Reddit Help (19)
  • SEO & Marketing (82)
  • Spam, Scams & Security (95)
  • Trade Show News & Updates (23)
  • Twitter Help (220)
  • Video Game Tips (66)
  • Web Site Traffic Tips (62)
  • Windows PC Help (947)
  • Wordpress Help (206)
  • Writing and Publishing (72)
  • YouTube Help (47)
  • YouTube Video Reviews (159)
  • Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help (62)

Archives

Social Connections:

Ask Dave Taylor


Follow Me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram


AskDaveTaylor on Facebook



microsoft insider mvp


This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to our terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. Our lawyer says "Thanks for your cooperation."
© 2023 by Dave Taylor. "Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Accessibility Policy