Windows 11, with its Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), allows users to access almost all popular Android apps directly from the Microsoft Store.
The WSA on Windows 11 mirrors the functionality of the Linux Subsystem for Linux (WSL), enabling a seamless transition for Android apps onto the desktop operating system.
Today’s update introduces several significant Android Windows Subsystem improvements. Firstly, enhancements have been made to camera compatibility, thus improving the experience of using Android apps that require camera access.
A significant update has been made to the full-screen mode as well. The full-screen mode with F11 now displays a hover taskbar to enhance the mouse and touch experience. This feature will improve the usability of Android apps in a full-screen setting.
According to the release notes, other improvements in the update include:
- Camera compatibility improvements.
- Fullscreen mode with F11 now displays a hover taskbar, enhancing mouse and touch experience.
- The introduction of local networking under advanced settings – Experimental features. This feature replaces “Advanced networking,” allowing Android apps to connect to devices on the same network across all Windows versions, respect Windows firewall rules, and work with VPNs.
- Users can now change their default shared folder with the share user folders option under advanced settings – Experimental features.
- The subsystem will now prompt if an app attempts to use a permission the subsystem does not have.
- The subsystem has transitioned from EROFS to EXT4 for read-only disks.
- Fixes have been implemented for OneDrive folders not showing up in Android apps.
- Support for drag and drop has been extended to more file types.
- Picture-in-picture mode has seen improvements, including new UI buttons when in PIP.
- The partially running mode is now enabled by default for devices with at least 16 GB of memory.
- Stability fixes have been introduced for ARM devices.
- The Linux kernel has been updated to 5.15.104.
- Security updates for Android 13 have been implemented.
Windows 11 incorporates new virtual machine technology to solve compatibility issues with the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), an open-source software stack.
Thanks to the AOSP, Windows 11 doesn’t require Google Play Services support, and most apps work perfectly on the desktop operating system. Android apps work on Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm (ARM) devices, with Intel’s Bridge Technology feature being utilized across all Intel PCs.