Microsoft officially ended support for Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) in March 2025. That means you can no longer find it in the Microsoft Store. For many users, this was disappointing because WSA was the simplest way to run Android apps directly on a Windows PC.
But here’s the good news: WSA is still fully functional if installed manually. Thanks to the open-source community, you can still download safe WSA builds, install them on your PC, and continue to run Android apps — including those from the Google Play Store.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through:
- What WSA is and why support ended
- How to download and install WSA safely in 2025
- How to enable necessary Windows features for WSA
- Setting up Google Play Store support
- Sideloading APK files with ADB
- Performance optimizations for smoother app experience
- FAQs and troubleshooting tips
By the end, your Windows 11 system will run Android apps just like before. So let’s dive in step by step.
📑 Table of Contents
- 1. What is Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA)?
- 2. Why Did Microsoft End Support in 2025?
- 3. System Requirements Before Installing WSA
- 4. Downloading WSA Builds and Tools
- 5. Enabling Required Windows Features
- 6. Turning On Developer Mode in Windows
- 7. Installing WSA Using the Run.bat Script
- 8. Setting Up Google Play Store
- 9. Optimizing WSA Performance (RAM, GPU, Resources)
- 10. How to Sideload APK Files with ADB
- 11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 12. Conclusion
1. What is Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA)?
WSA (Windows Subsystem for Android) is a compatibility layer that allows Android apps to run natively on Windows 11. Instead of using an emulator like BlueStacks, WSA creates a lightweight virtualized Android environment inside Windows.
This gives users:
- Better performance than traditional emulators
- The ability to install apps directly from the Microsoft Store (back when it was supported)
- Google Play Store integration (with modded builds)
- Support for sideloading APKs
Even though Microsoft discontinued it, the core technology still works perfectly when installed manually.
2. Why Did Microsoft End Support in 2025?
Microsoft never gave a deep technical explanation, but a few reasons are clear:
- Low Adoption: Many users preferred emulators or kept using Android devices for apps.
- Amazon Partnership Shift: WSA was tied to the Amazon Appstore, which never gained popularity.
- Resource Maintenance: Supporting Android builds, Play Store compatibility, and security updates cost Microsoft more than the benefit.
Fortunately, the open-source community stepped in, and projects like WSA Builds on GitHub make it easy to continue using WSA even after official support ended.
3. System Requirements Before Installing WSA
Before installing WSA, make sure your system meets the requirements.
Minimum Requirements:
- Windows 11 (Home or Pro)
- 8 GB RAM (4 GB possible, but performance will suffer)
- 64-bit CPU with virtualization enabled
- SSD storage recommended
Optional but Recommended:
- 16 GB RAM for smooth multitasking
- Dedicated GPU for Android gaming
- Latest Windows updates
4. Downloading WSA Builds and Tools
You’ll need two downloads:
- WSA Builds with Google Play Store
👉 WSA Builds GitHub Page- Download the latest release.
- Choose the version with GApps (Google Apps + Play Store).
- File size: around 700 MB.
- ADB Platform Tools (for sideloading APKs)
👉 Android Developer Platform Tools- Download the Windows version.
- Extract the ZIP to a folder like
C:\platform-tools.
5. Enabling Required Windows Features
For WSA to run, Windows needs virtualization support.
- Press Win + S and search Turn Windows features on or off.
- Enable:
- ✅ Virtual Machine Platform
- ✅ Windows Hypervisor Platform
- If you’re on Windows 11 Home, you may only see the first option. That’s fine.
- Click OK, restart your PC.
6. Turning On Developer Mode in Windows
WSA requires developer permissions to sideload apps.
- Open Settings → System → For Developers.
- Toggle Developer Mode ON.
- Click Yes when prompted.
This allows installation of apps outside Microsoft Store.
7. Installing WSA Using the Run.bat Script
Now let’s install WSA manually.
- Extract the WSA ZIP you downloaded.
- Open the extracted folder.
- Find the file run.bat.
- Right-click → Run as administrator.
A PowerShell window will appear. The script:
- Installs WSA as a subsystem
- Registers it in Windows
- Adds Google Play Store support
Once installation finishes, the Google Play Store will automatically open. That confirms everything worked.
8. Setting Up Google Play Store
- Open Google Play Store from Start Menu.
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Search and install apps as you would on an Android phone.
- Installed apps will appear in your Start Menu and can be launched like native Windows apps.
9. Optimizing WSA Performance (RAM, GPU, Resources)
WSA performance can be customized in its settings:
- Open Windows Subsystem for Android → Settings.
- Under System → Subsystem Resources, change to Continuous for faster app loading.
- Increase RAM allocation if your PC has enough memory (e.g., set 8 GB instead of default 4 GB).
- Under Graphics Preference, select High Performance GPU if available.
💡 Tip: These tweaks are especially useful for Android games or resource-intensive apps.
10. How to Sideload APK Files with ADB
Not every app is available on the Play Store. In such cases, you can sideload APKs manually using ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
Steps:
- Make sure WSA is running (open WSA → Files).
- In WSA settings → enable Developer mode → note the IP address shown.
- Open Command Prompt in your
platform-toolsfolder. - Connect ADB to WSA:
adb connect 127.0.0.1:58526
(Replace 58526 with the port shown in your WSA settings).
- Copy your APK file into the
platform-toolsfolder. - Run the install command:
adb install filename.apk- If it says Success, the app is installed.
- Find it in your Start Menu → click to open.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I still use WSA in 2025 after Microsoft discontinued it?
Yes, WSA still works perfectly when installed manually using community builds.
Q2: Is it safe to use GitHub WSA builds?
Yes, but only download from the official WSA Builds GitHub. Avoid random websites.
Q3: Will this work on Windows 10?
Some builds may work on Windows 10 (21H2 and later), but official support was only for Windows 11.
Q4: Can I root WSA?
Yes. There are specialized builds with Magisk or KernelSU, but those are for advanced users.
Q5: Will using WSA slow down my PC?
It uses some resources, but with at least 8 GB RAM and an SSD, performance is smooth.
12. Conclusion
Even though Microsoft ended official support for Windows Subsystem for Android, it doesn’t mean the end of Android apps on Windows. Thanks to community builds, you can still install WSA in 2025, run the Google Play Store, and sideload APK files.
We covered every step from enabling virtualization and developer mode, to installing WSA via run.bat, signing in to Google Play, and sideloading apps with ADB. With performance tweaks, Android apps will feel smooth and responsive on Windows 11.
So if you miss WSA, don’t worry — it’s still alive and working!
Disclaimer
This tutorial uses third-party WSA builds hosted on GitHub. Always download from official repositories and create a Windows restore point before making system changes. Running WSA requires virtualization; low-end PCs may struggle with performance.
Tags
windows subsystem for android, wsa 2025 install, android apps on windows 11, sideload apk windows, google play store on windows, adb tutorial windows, microsoft ended wsa
Hashtags
#Windows11 #WSA #AndroidOnWindows #TechGuide #APKInstall #GooglePlay #WSA2025
