How to Install APKs on Windows 11 to Sideload Android Apps

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Applies to: Public users and Windows Insiders on Windows 11 who want to install APKs.

Timeline for Android app support on Windows 11:

1. On October 21, 2021, Microsoft released Android app support on Windows 11 to users of the Windows Insider program. 2. On February 15, 2022, the Windows Subsystem for Android became available for public preview.

At the beginning:

This page covers everything you need to know about Windows Subsystem for Android, which enables Windows 11 devices to install APKs and run Android apps from the Amazon Appstore. Whether you're a regular Windows 11 user or an Insider Preview participant, you'll find a comprehensive guide here on how to get the latest Windows 11 update and successfully sideload Android apps on your PC.

Well, to put it simply, whether you're a public Windows 11 user in the US or a global Preview insider, you can now install Android apps. Just follow the respective guide right here to get Android apps up and running on your computer.

Please provide the English content you'd like translated, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.

If you found this guide helpful for installing APKs on Windows 11, please consider sharing it with others who might need it using the buttons below!

## 1. Check if Your Windows 11 PC Meets the System Requirements for Running Android Apps

Keep in mind that not all computers with Windows 11 will be able to access the latest Android apps from the Subsystem. There are some basic hardware requirements for the system, so let's take a look at them.

• RAM: 8 GB or 16 GB (recommended)
• Storage type: Solid state drive (SSD)
• Processor: Intel Core i3 8th gen or newer; AMD Ryzen 3000 or newer; Qualcomm Snapdragon 8c or newer.
• Processor architecture: x64 or ARM64
• Virtualization platform: Virtualization must be enabled on Windows 11.

So how do you know if your computer meets the system requirements? There are two ways to find out, and you can try either one.

Method 1: Check if Your Computer Meets the Requirements with an Automated Tool

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional provides you with a powerful feature called "Windows 11 Checker", with which you can directly check whether your PC is compatible with Windows 11 here.

Step 1. Launch Partition Master and click “Toolbox”.

Step 2: Click on "Windows 11 Checker" to open the tool. Then, hit the Check Now button to start.

The Windows 11 Compatibility results screen should appear shortly, listing all compatible and incompatible configurations.

If you see an "Incompatible configuration" entry on the results screen, your PC isn't compatible with Windows 11. If you don't see any entries, your PC meets all of the latest Windows 11 requirements.

Method 2: Check if Your Windows 11 PC Meets the APK Installation Requirements

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.

Step 2: Click on “System” and then click “About” in the System Settings window.

Step 3: In the System requirements section, confirm that your RAM and CPU meet the requirements.

Check the RAM and CPU specifications

Step 4. In the Windows specifications section, confirm that your version of Windows 11 is 22000.257 or higher.

5. Click on “System” > “Storage.” In the Storage section, click on “Advanced storage settings” > “Disk & Volumes,” and check if your primary drive's media type is listed as SSD.

If it's an HDD, you can't install APKs on Windows 11. To do this, you need to migrate your OS from HDD to SSD: Migrate OS to SSD.

If your PC meets all the requirements, you can skip straight to Part 3 or Part 4 to install APKs on Windows 11.

If your computer doesn't meet all of these requirements, skip to Part 2 to prepare your computer for installing and running Android apps.

#2. Prepare your Windows 11 PC for APK installation

Here, we'll guide you through the setup and preparation of installing APK Android apps on your Windows 11 PC in four parts:

1. Increase RAM capacity if it is less than 8GB.

If you have less than 8 GB of RAM, consider buying new RAM sticks to upgrade to 8 or 6 GB.

Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Check your computer's memory storage

Right-click “This PC” and select “Properties.” You'll see your computer's memory listed next to “Installed RAM.”

Check the RAM storage capacity

Step 2: Buy RAM for your computer.

Note: The RAM card must be the same size as the one originally installed in your computer. For example, 4GB for 4GB; 8GB for 8GB; 16GB for 16GB; and 32GB for 32GB.

If you purchase a 32 GB card but the original was 16 GB, the new card's performance will be configured to run at the same speed as the older card.

Step 3: Insert the new memory card into your computer

Shut down your computer, open its case, locate the RAM slots, insert and secure the new RAM stick, close up the case, and reboot.

After this, you will need to restart your computer, and the system should automatically detect and display the added RAM.

2. Migrate Windows 11 from HDD to SSD

The new subsystem cannot be installed on your PC when your Windows 11 OS is installed on an HDD. This is because the system requires an SSD to install APKs on Windows 11.

For this, you can use a reliable partition manager – AOMEI Partition Assistant, to migrate Windows 11 from HDD to the new SSD.

Here are the steps to migrate your Windows 11 system from an HDD to an SSD without reinstallation:

**Step 1: Purchase and Install the New SSD for Windows 11** 1. **Choose the Right SSD**: Buy a suitable solid-state drive (SSD) based on your computer's requirements and budget. 2. **Gather Tools**: Obtain necessary tools, such as a screwdriver, to open your computer and install the SSD. 3. **Backup Data**: Before starting, ensure you back up important data to be safe. 4. **Power Down**: Turn off your computer and unplug the power adapter for a secure process. 5. **Remove the Old Hard Drive**: Locate the existing hard drive in your computer and remove it. 6. **Install the New SSD**: Place the new SSD into the designated bay and secure it with screws. 7. **Connect Cables**: Ensure the SSD's data cable (SATA or M.2 interface) and power cable are properly connected. 8. **Reassemble Your Computer**: Put your computer back together and reconnect all external devices. 9. **Install Windows 11**: Create an installation USB using the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool, then boot from the USB and follow the prompts to install the operating system. 10. **Drivers and Updates**: After installation, visit the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest drivers, followed by system updates. 11. **Restore Data**: Restore the backed-up data onto the new SSD. 12. **Optimize Settings**: Adjust Windows 11 settings as needed to take full advantage of the SSD's speed benefits. Upon completing these steps, you will have successfully installed Windows 11 on your new SSD.

Two Tips for Selecting and Adding a New SSD for Windows 11 Operating System Migration:

• The new SSD must have a capacity equal to or greater than the space used on the Windows 11 system partition. For example, a 120GB SSD = 120GB C drive, or a 256GB, 512GB SSD.
• The new SSD must be installed inside your computer as an internal disk.

Select the correct SSD disk

Here is how it could work:

Step 1: Check the type of new SSD: SATA SSD or M.2/NVMe SSD.

Step 2: Turn off and unplug your computer, open its case, and install the new SSD.

If it's a SATA SSD, connect it to your computer with a SATA cable and power cable.

• If it's an M.2 or NVMe SSD, locate the SSD slot and slide the drive into it until it locks into place.

Step 3: Restart your computer when you're done.

2nd. Initializing a new SSD on Windows 11

Please note that Windows 11 requires GPT as the boot disk type, as it needs UEFI and Secure Boot mode. Therefore, you need to configure the disk type as GPT here:

Step 1: Press Windows + R, type diskmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box that opens, and click OK to launch Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click on the operating system drive and select “Properties.” Go to the “Volume” tab to see the partition style.

Step 3. Right-click the SSD and select "Initialize Disk," then choose the type "GPT."

Step 3: Migrate Windows 11 to SSD Without Reinstalling

Once the SSD is ready, you can use tools like Partition Master, one of the best OS migration software, to migrate Windows 11 to SSD:

Note: If there is insufficient unallocated space on the target disk, migrating the operating system to an SSD or HDD will delete existing partitions and data on the target disk. Back up important data saved on it to an external hard drive in advance.

Step 1: From the left-hand menu, choose "Clone." Select "Migrate the operating system" and click "Next" to proceed.

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Step 2. Select the target disk to which you want to clone. Click “Next”.

Step 3: Review the warning message and click “OK.” All data and partitions on the target disk will be deleted. Make sure you have backed up important data beforehand. If not, do it now.

Select the target disk

Step 4. Preview the layout of the target disk. You can also click on the Disk Layout option to customize the layout of the target disk as needed. Then, click "Start" to begin migrating the operating system to the new disk.

Step 5: After seeing the confirmation message “Do you want to boot from the cloned disk?” check the option “Adjust the boot order to boot from the cloned disk,” and click the corresponding button as needed.

• Reboot now: This restarts the computer immediately and boots the operating system from the new disk. • Finish later: This applies the changes at a later time.

Upgrade the processor/processor architecture

Note that if you have an older processor or processor architecture, such as an 8th Gen Intel Core i3, AMD Ryzen 3000, or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8c, you have two options:

• Option 1: Upgrade the CPU yourself.

Here's the list of processors that support Windows 11: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors. For detailed information on upgrading your CPU, check out this link: Upgrading your Gaming PC.

• Option 2: Replace your old computer with a newer one.

Unless you are computer-savvy, we do not recommend attempting to replace a CPU yourself, as it is very easy to damage the computer in the process. However, if you are not technically inclined, replacing an old computer with a new one is much easier.

Additionally, if your PC is 32-bit, you'll need to upgrade to a 64-bit machine to install APK files on Windows 11.

4. Enable virtualization on Windows 11.

To emulate the Android Subsystem on Windows 11, you need to enable virtualization on your PC to access and install APK applications. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Enter the BIOS settings

1. Press the Windows + S keys, then type Settings in the search box and open it. 2. Click on "Windows Update" in the left pane, and then select "Advanced options."

Click Restart now under Advanced startup. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

Click Restart in the UEFI firmware settings window to enter BIOS setup.

Step 2: Enable virtualization in the BIOS

Here, we'll show you how to enable virtualization technology on both Intel and AMD processors. Let's dive into the steps:

Enable Intel CPU virtualization technology:

In the BIOS setup, press or select "Advanced Mode." Click "Advanced" > Select "CPU Configuration."

• Click on “Intel Virtualization Technology” and select “Enabled”.

Press F10 to save and exit, or click “Exit” and save changes.

Enable AMD CPU virtualization:

In the BIOS, press F7 or click on "Advanced Mode." Click on "Advanced" > "CPU Configuration."

Select the SVM mode, and click Enable.

Click “Exit,” and then click “OK” to save your changes and restart your computer.

After that, you can proceed with the next step of installing Android APKs on Windows 11. Since there are different methods to install APKs on Windows 11 depending on the version you're running, we recommend first verifying your Windows 11 edition and then following the appropriate guide to install the desired APK apps on your computer.

#3. How to Install APKs on Windows 11 Insider Build

If you're a Windows Insider, make sure you're on the latest version of Windows 11 by going to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Check for Windows 11 update

Wait for that process to finish, and then restart your computer to install the new updates.

First, check for updates in the Microsoft Store.

It's also important to make sure that both Insider and Public users have the updated Microsoft Store to install APK apps on Windows 11. Here's how:

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store, click on “Library,” and then click on “Get updates.”

Check for Microsoft Store updates

Step 2. Go to the Profile menu, select App Settings, and confirm that the Microsoft Store version is 22110.1402.6.0 or higher.

If it isn't, update the Microsoft Store app to the latest version.

Check for the Microsoft Store version

Step 2: Install the Android Subsystem and Amazon Appstore on Windows 11

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store app, search for “Windows Subsystem for Android,” and click on “Get.”

Step 2: Click on "Get" or "Install" in the Microsoft Store app. Wait for the process to finish.

Step 3: Search for and open the Amazon Appstore in the Microsoft Store, then click on “Install.”

Next up, just translate the sentence into American English:

Step 4. Tap Settings, then Download > Next > Restart.

After going through these steps, you'll be able to install Android APK apps on your Windows 11 computer.

The final piece of the puzzle is installing Android apps from the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11.

Step 1. Open the Start menu in Windows 11, and click on “All apps.”

Step 2: Sign in with your Amazon account and start browsing, selecting, and downloading Android apps by tapping “Get.”

Additional Tip: How to Install APKs on Windows 11 for Sideloading Android Apps

Aside from the Amazon Appstore, you can also sideload apps on Windows 11 through APK files. Here's how:

Step 1: Visit the Android Developer website at https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools

Step 2: Go to the Downloads section and click Download SDK Platform Tools for Windows.

Step 3: Check the box that says “I have read and agree to the above terms and conditions,” then click on “Download Android SDK Platform Tools for Windows.”

Step 4. Once done, go to your Downloads folder, right-click on the compressed file, and select "Extract All."

5. Once the ZIP file is extracted, download and copy the APK file of the app you want to modify into this folder.

Step 6. Open the Windows Subsystem for Android from the Start menu. In the WSA window, enable Developer mode: toggle the switch to On.

Step 7: Open the Command Prompt and enter the following commands one by one, then press Enter:

• adb.exe connect IP_ADDRESS
• adb.exe install FILE_NAME.apk
In this translation, "IP_ADDRESS" should be replaced with the actual IP address of the device you want to connect to, and "FILE_NAME.apk" should be replaced with the name of the APK file you want to install.

Wait for the process to complete. This will help with installing APK files on Windows 11.

When done, you can view and use the sideloaded Android apps in the “Apps” section of the Start menu on Windows 11.

Yes, you can install and run Android apps on Windows 11. Microsoft has introduced the Windows Subsystem for Android, which allows you to access the Amazon Appstore and download compatible Android apps. Here's how you can do it: 1. **Enable the Windows Subsystem for Android:** - Go to "Settings" > " Apps" > "Optional features". - Click on "Add a feature". - Find "Windows Subsystem for Android" in the list and click "Install". 2. **Download the Amazon Appstore:** - Once the subsystem is installed, go to the Microsoft Store and search for "Amazon Appstore". - Install the Amazon Appstore app. 3. **Launch the Amazon Appstore and download apps:** - Open the Amazon Appstore and sign in with your Amazon account. - Search for the Android app you want to install and download it. 4. **Run the APK files directly (if needed):** - If you have APK files downloaded outside of the Amazon Appstore, you can sideload them using an Android emulator like BlueStacks or NoxPlayer, or by enabling Developer Options in Windows 11 and setting up ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Please note that not all Android apps may be available or function properly on Windows 11, as compatibility depends on the app and the specific version of the Android subsystem you have.

Absolutely! It's no secret that, since Microsoft announced it on October 5, 2021, Windows 11 will soon support running Android apps through the Android Subsystem. However, since then, Windows users have been asking when and how they can install APKs on Windows 11.

So, to answer the question “Can I run Android apps on Windows 11?” – the answer is yes! In this article, you'll learn everything about Android apps on the Windows Subsystem for Android and how to install APKs on your Windows 11 PC. Let's get started.

Which operating systems can install Android APKs and run Android apps?

With the release of the Windows 11 KB5010414 update on February 15, 2022, the ability to side-load and run Android apps became a reality through a collaboration with the Amazon Appstore. Now, public users of Windows 11 in the United States can acquire this new update and configure their computers to install APKs within Windows 11.

What about Windows users outside the US? The good news is that any Windows Insider in the Dev Channel can download Android apps on their PCs.

Conclusions

On this page, we've outlined some key points to ensure a successful installation of Android APKs or apps on Windows 11. To streamline the process, please check and confirm that you follow these guidelines:

• You're running the latest public release or Insider Preview version of Windows 11, version 22000.527 or higher.
• Your device meets the requirements to install Android apps on Windows 11: at least 8 GB of RAM, an SSD for your operating system drive, virtualization enabled, a compatible processor, and an up-to-date processor architecture.

If you're unsure if your computer meets the requirements, use the Partition Master tool to check for compatibility.

If you're not sure how to get Windows 11, don't worry – you can jump back to Part 2 to prepare for installing it.

For the full process of installing Android apps on Windows 11, check out Part #3 for a detailed guide. I hope this page was helpful!

FAQ: How to Install APKs on Windows 11

If you have more questions about installing APKs on Windows 11, check out the following FAQs and find your answers:

**How do I open an APK file on Windows 11?** To open an APK file on Windows 11, follow these steps: 1. **Download an Android Emulator**: First, you'll need an emulator that allows you to run Android apps on your Windows system, like Bluestacks, NoxPlayer, or MEmu. Visit the official websites for these emulators and download the version compatible with your system. 2. **Install the Emulator**: Once downloaded, double-click the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. 3. **Launch the Emulator**: After installation, open the emulator you've chosen. 4. **Install the APK File**: - Copy your APK file to your desktop or another convenient location. - Inside the emulator, look for an option like "My Apps" or "Install APK," which is typically found on the home screen or in settings. - Navigate to the directory where your APK file is located, then select the file to install it. 5. **Run the APK**: After installation, the APK app should appear in the emulator's app list. Simply tap on it to start using the app. Keep in mind that not all APK files work with every emulator, and some might require specific Android environments. If you encounter issues, try using a different emulator.

• Install the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on your computer.
• Create a virtual Android machine on your computer with WSA.
• Sideload APK files for your favorite apps and games.
• Install and open the Android apps.

**How to manually install Android apps on Windows 11?** To manually install Android apps on Windows 11, follow these steps: 1. **Enable Windows Subsystem for Android**: - Open "Settings." - Go to "Apps." - Select "Optional features." - Click "Add a feature." - Find "Windows Subsystem for Android" in the list and click "Install." - Restart your computer after installation. 2. **Download Android SDK Platform Tools**: - Visit the [Google Developers website](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools) to download the latest version of Platform Tools. - Extract and save it to a convenient location. 3. **Enable Hyper-V**: - Press Win+X and choose "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Windows Terminal (Admin)." - Enter the following command and hit Enter: ``` dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Hyper-V-All /all /norestart ``` - Restart your computer. 4. **Set up an Android Emulator**: - Download and install Android Studio. - In Android Studio, open the "AVD Manager." - Create a new virtual device and download the corresponding system image. - Start the virtual device. 5. **Install the APK file**: - Copy your Android app's APK file to the Platform Tools folder. - Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and navigate to the directory where Platform Tools is located. - Install the APK with this command: ``` adb install [path_to_your_apk_file] ``` Replace `[path_to_your_apk_file]` with the actual path to your APK file. After completing these steps, you should be able to manually install and run Android apps on Windows 11. Keep in mind that this method might not be as straightforward or stable as installing through the Amazon Appstore in the Microsoft Store.

1. Open the Microsoft Store. 2. Go to the Amazon Appstore. 3. Click Install. 4. Sign in with your Microsoft account. 5. Follow the prompts to sign in with your account. 6. Download the Android app you want.

< strong > Can you run Android apps on Windows 11? < /strong >

Yeah, absolutely. Microsoft now officially supports running Android apps on Windows 11 through the Windows Subsystem for Android. If you're interested, you can follow the tutorial guide on this page to download and run Android apps and games on Windows 11.