On Windows 11, the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) is simply a virtual machine that offers the medium to install and run Android apps as if they were natively installed in the desktop version of Windows.
The only caveat is that every time you start an Android app on Windows 11, the system also has to start the virtual machine, adding extra time to get to the applications. However, if the computer has the resources to spare, there’s an option to allow the subsystem to stay always running in the background to speed up the app start process.
In this guide, you will learn the easy steps to allow WSA to run continuously on Windows 11.
- Enable Windows Subsystem for Android option to run continuously
- Enable Windows Subsystem for Android option to run as needed
Enable Windows Subsystem for Android option to run continuously
To allow WSA to always run in the background on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Start on Windows 11.
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Search for Windows Subsystem for Android and click the top result to open the app.
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Click on System.
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Click the “Subsystem resources” settings, and choose the Continuous option to allow WSA to always run in the background.
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(Optional) Click the “Turn off” button when you need to shut down WSA on Windows 11.
Once you complete the steps, the Android virtual machine will keep running in the background, allowing you to launch apps more quickly.
Enable Windows Subsystem for Android option to run as needed
To run WSA only when an app starts, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for Windows Subsystem for Android and click the top result to open the settings page.
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Click on System.
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Click the “Subsystem resources” settings, and choose the As needed option to start only when an Android app is running.
WSA run as needed
After you complete the steps, the subsystem will stay dormant until you start an application, but the startup will delay the application.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].