How to install WSA on Dev version of Windows 11

Yes, you can run Android apps on the Dev Channel version of Windows 11, but you need to install WSA manually with PowerShell.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
Pureinfotech Logo
Windows 11 Dev Channel WSA install
Windows 11 Dev Channel WSA install

Although Microsoft has already released the first preview of the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) to bring support to install and run Android apps on Windows 11, it only made it available for devices enrolled in the Beta Channel. However, it’s possible to install the platform on the computers that are joined in the Dev Channel. The only caveat is that the process requires downloading and installing the components manually using PowerShell.

If you plan to test the Android apps support on a preview of Windows 11 in the Dev Channel, consider that the computer still need 8GB of RAM (16GB recommended), a solid-state drive (SSD), and a supported processor (Intel Core i3 8th Generation, AMD Ryzen 3000, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8c, or above), and the Microsoft Store app must be version 22110.1402.6.0 or higher.

Also, the computer must support virtualization, and you have to enable the “Virtual Machine Platform” feature on Settings > Apps > Optional features > More Windows features.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to install WSA to run Android apps on devices enrolled in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

Important: This is not a supported method, as such use these instructions at your own risk. Microsoft plans to bring the preview of Android apps on Windows 11 in future previews.

Install Windows Subsystem for Android in Dev Channel

To install Windows Subsystem for Android manually on a computer running Windows 11 in the Dev Channel, use these steps:

  1. Open the rg-adguard.net website.

  2. Select the Productid option, paste this ID: 9p3395vx91nr, select the Slow option, and click the Check button.

    Search Microsoft Store apps

  3. Click the MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_1.7.32815.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle link to save the app package (1.2GB).

    WSA direct download

  4. Open Start.

  5. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  6. Type the following command to change the directory to the folder with the Msixbundle file and press Enter:

    cd C:\PATH\TO\Msixbundle

    In the command, update the path with the location to where you saved the package file.

  7. Type the following command to install Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 and press Enter:

    Add-AppxPackage MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_1.7.32815.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle

    PowerShell WSA install

    In the command, make sure to update the app package name with the one you downloaded.

Once you complete the steps, the Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore app will install on your computer.

This preview of the platform also supports sideloading applications, which is something you can do using the Android Debugging Bridge (ADB) tools.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

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].