Running Android apps on Windows 11 opens up a massive library of mobile apps on your big PC screen. Microsoft partners with the Amazon Appstore to deliver these apps, and everything runs through the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA). Once it is set up, you can pin apps to your taskbar, resize their windows, and use them side by side with your regular Windows programs.
This guide walks you through the full setup, from enabling virtualization in your BIOS to launching your first Android app. If you have been curious about getting your favorite phone apps onto your desktop, you are in the right place.
Before You Start
Before diving in, make sure your PC meets the basic requirements. You need a 64-bit version of Windows 11 (the 22H2 build or later works, though 23H2 and 24H2 run more smoothly). Your machine needs at least 8GB of RAM, though 16GB gives a much smoother experience. You also need a Microsoft account signed in, and your CPU must support virtualization. Most Intel and AMD processors built in the last several years do. If your PC is older or you are unsure, we cover how to check and enable virtualization in Step 2.
Enterprise users: Windows 11 Enterprise and Education editions support the same subsystem, but IT admins often manage app deployment through Microsoft Intune or MEM. If you are on a work device, contact your administrator before installing anything, since managed policies can block the Amazon Appstore.
Step 1: Check that virtualization is available
Open Task Manager and look at the CPU performance screen. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch Task Manager directly, then click the Performance tab and select CPU from the left panel. Scroll down to the bottom right where you will see a line labeled Virtualization, which reads either Enabled or Disabled.
This setting controls whether Windows can run the virtual machine that powers Android apps, so it must be turned on. If it already says Enabled, you can skip Step 3 and move on to installing the store. If it says Disabled, do not worry, you will fix it in the next step by entering your computer’s BIOS.
Step 2: Enable virtualization in BIOS or UEFI
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup menu. Press the power button, then repeatedly tap the key that opens setup as the computer boots. The most common keys are F2, F10, Del, or Esc, depending on your manufacturer. Some laptops use F2 while desktop motherboards often use Del. If you are unsure, search online for your exact model plus the word “BIOS key.”
Find and enable the virtualization option. Look for a setting called Intel VT-x or Intel Virtualization Technology on Intel machines, or SVM Mode on AMD processors. It is usually hidden under tabs labeled Advanced, Configuration, or CPU Settings. Select it, change it to Enabled, then save and exit, typically by pressing F10.
After the computer restarts, repeat Step 1 to confirm virtualization now reads Enabled. If you cannot find the option, your motherboard may not support it or the setting has an unusual name, in which case check the manual or the manufacturer’s support page for your specific model.
Step 3: Update Windows 11 to the latest version
Open Windows Update and install any pending updates. Press the Windows key and type Windows Update, then open the settings page. Click Check for updates and let Windows download and install anything it finds, including optional driver and cumulative updates.
The Windows Subsystem for Android relies on recent system components, so an outdated build can cause the store or apps to fail. After the updates finish, click Restart now if prompted, then run the check one more time to make sure nothing is left behind.
Step 4: Install the Amazon Appstore
Open the Microsoft Store and search for the Amazon Appstore. Click the Start button, type Microsoft Store, and open the app. Click the search box at the top and type Amazon Appstore, then press Enter.
Install the official listing. Find the result published by Amazon Mobile LLC, which shows a blue Get or Install button next to it. Click that button and wait for the download and installation to complete. The progress bar will fill up and the button will change to Launch when finished.
Make sure you pick the listing from Amazon Mobile LLC and not a lookalike app, since third-party clones can be unreliable or unsafe. The official Amazon Appstore is the sanctioned way to get Android apps, and it receives automatic updates through the Microsoft Store.
Step 5: Sign in to the Amazon Appstore
Launch the app and sign in with your account. Click Launch from the Microsoft Store, or find the Amazon Appstore in your Start menu search. When it opens, you will be prompted to sign in. You can use either your existing Amazon account or a Microsoft account, depending on what the app offers at the time.
Signing in links your app purchases and downloads to that account, so you can reinstall apps later without paying again. If your sign-in fails, double-check your password and confirm you have a stable internet connection, since the store talks to Amazon’s servers on first launch.
Step 6: Search for and install Android apps
Browse or search for the app you want. Inside the Amazon Appstore, use the search box at the top to find a specific title, or scroll through the featured categories. Click on an app tile to open its detail page, which shows a description, screenshots, and user reviews.
Install the app. On the app’s page, click the Get button. The store will download and install the app, and a progress indicator will appear on the tile. When it finishes, the button changes to Open or Launch.
Some apps require additional permissions, such as access to your location or camera. Windows will prompt you to grant these the first time you run the app, so read each request before accepting. If an app you want is not available in the Amazon Appstore, you may be able to sideload it from an APK file, which we cover in the tips below.
Step 7: Launch and manage your Android apps
Find your installed apps in the Start menu. Press the Windows key and type the app name, or scroll through the app list. Android apps appear in their own section, often grouped under a heading like Android apps, so they are easy to tell apart from native Windows programs.
Pin apps to your taskbar for quick access. Right-click an installed Android app in the Start menu and choose More, then Add to taskbar. The icon will appear at the bottom of your screen so you can open it with a single click in the future.
Resize and move the app windows. Click and drag the edges and corners of an Android app window to resize it, just like any other program. You can also drag it to the left or right edge of the screen to snap it into place next to another window. This makes multitasking much smoother, especially on wider ultrawide monitors.
Troubleshooting common problems
The Amazon Appstore will not open or keeps crashing. This is usually caused by an outdated or missing subsystem component. Open Settings, search for Apps, and click Installed apps. Search for Windows Subsystem for Android, click the three-dot menu, and choose Advanced options. Then click Repair first, and if that does not help, click Reset. Resetting clears the subsystem data but does not delete your installed Android apps.
The store says the app is unavailable or your region is not supported. The Android subsystem and Amazon Appstore are only available in certain countries. Open Settings and check that your Region is set to a supported location such as the United States. If you recently moved or set up the PC in an unsupported area, you will need to change the region or use a supported network connection.
Apps launch but freeze or run very slowly. This often points to virtualization being disabled or insufficient RAM. Recheck Step 1 to confirm virtualization is Enabled, and close other memory-heavy programs while running Android apps. If lag persists, open the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings and lower the CPU and RAM sliders to a level that leaves room for your other tasks.
No Android apps show up after installing the store. Sign out and sign back in to the Amazon Appstore, then restart the computer. Sometimes the subsystem needs a fresh login to register your apps. If nothing appears, run Windows Update one more time to make sure you have the latest build.
Pro Tip: You can sideload APK files that are not in the Amazon Appstore by enabling Developer options in the Windows Subsystem for Android settings and using adb install app.apk from a command prompt. This works well for free apps, but only install APKs from sources you trust to avoid malware.
Quick Tip: Keep the Windows Subsystem for Android updated by letting Windows Update handle it automatically. When you see a notification that the subsystem has a new version, install it promptly, since updates often fix crashes and add new app compatibility.
With everything set up, your Android apps live right alongside your Windows programs, giving you a genuinely useful hybrid desktop. Take a moment to pin your most-used apps to the taskbar so they are always one click away.
Over to you: Which Android app are you most excited to run on your PC? Let us know in the comments.
