Latest WSA for Windows 11 Greatly Improves Android Apps Load and Run Speeds [Download Build 2208.40000.4.0]
Microsoft released the most anticipated Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) update to Android 12.1/12L earlier this year. Today’s WSA update with build 2208.40000.4.0 adds tons of stability improvements, greatly improves the Android app load times, improved smoothness, performance improvements.
Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) allows Windows 11 users to run Android apps on the Windows systems natively. WSA is similar to WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). It can run Android apps on Windows 11 PCs like they are native to the operating system.
With Windows 11 build 21H2 or newer, users can install WSA and run Android apps on their computers. It was first only available to Windows Insiders, i.e. on the Beta or Dev channel. For select stable Windows 11 PCs, you can now install WSA directly from the Windows Store.
In this tutorial, we will show you how to install the latest WSA build with Android 12.1 on any Windows 11 build including the stable/production channel.
Latest Windows Subsystem for Android patch notes for Windows 11
Microsoft’s patch notes for WSA update from September 2022 shocases all the changes in the latest version 2208.40000.4.0. It adds features on top of Android 12.1 and improves upon it.
The most important change you will notice is the improvement in app scrolling smoothness. The Android apps load faster and smoother. Plus, App Not Responding (ANR) errors have been fixed on all systems.
Microsoft greatly improved startup performance for WSS. Added usability Improvements to the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app as well. Fixed crashes when copying and pasting extremely large content.
Full Changelog
- Windows Subsystem for Android updated to Android 12.1
- Reliability fixes for App Not Responding (ANR) errors
- Improvements to input compatibility shims
- Improvements to scrolling (smoothness) in apps
- Usability Improvements to the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app
- Startup performance improvements
- Fixed crashes when copying and pasting extremely large content
- UX improvements for the game controls dialog
- Improvements to networking
- General graphics improvements
- Improvements for gamepad when using multiple apps
- Improved performance of uninstalling apps
- Fixed video playback issue for apps
- Updated to Chromium WebView 104
- Linux kernel security updates
Note that the official WSA on Windows 11 comes in collaboration with the Amazon App Store. So you will not see Google apps like the Play Store and Play Services; which, to be honest, are quite essential for many apps.
However, don’t worry here is a tutorial on how to root WSA with Magisk and install Google Play Store. Similar to how we bypassed the Windows 11 TPM and Secure Boot requirements.
As an alternative, using the microG or Vanced microG, you can install YouTube Vanced or Vanced Music and YouTube ReVanced without Google Play Services for now. Stay tuned for rooted WSA with Google Play Store tutorial.
Download Latest Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11
Select Windows 11 stable builds and all Beta Channel or Dev Channel can directly download the latest Windows Subsystem for Android update with Amazon Appstore from here. Note that WSA is currently onlu available in USA and Japan.
So for all other countries, download the WSA from below.
For stable or production versions,
- Download latest WSA Android 12.1 (Telegram Channel Link)
- Download the WSA Android 12.1 zip (AFH Mirror) (Extract)
- Extract upon download and rename the folder to WSA
How to Install WSA on any Windows 11 devices?
Alternatively, follow the tutorial below if you want to download the latest WSA from Microsoft servers.
1. Enable Virtual Machine Platform
- Click on Start.
- Search for Turn Windows features on or off. Click on the first option.
- Scroll down and search Virtual Machine Platform.
- Checkbox and click OK.
- Restart Windows.
2. Install Microsoft UI Xaml 2.6+
The Microsoft UI Xaml includes the framework to run Windows Subsystem for Android. It comes pre-installed on Windows Insider builds – Beta and Dev Channel. For stable Windows 11 device, you will need this app.
Otherwise, you will get an error while trying to install WSA similar to this:
Windows cannot install package MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_1.7.32815.0_x64_8wekyb3d8bbwe because this package depends on a framework that could not be found. Provide the framework “Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6” published by “CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US”, with neutral or x64 processor architecture and minimum version 2.62108.18004.0, along with this package to install. The frameworks with name “Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6” currently installed are Windows cannot install package MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_1.7.32815.0_x64_8wekyb3d8bbwe because this package depends on a framework that could not be found. Provide the framework “Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6” published by “CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US”, with neutral or x64 processor architecture and minimum version 2.62108.18004.0, along with this package to install. The frameworks with name “Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6” currently installed are: {}
Steps to install Microsoft UI Xaml:
- Launch a browser.
- Visit the website – rg-adguard.net
- Then change the first option to ProductID.
- Paste
9P3395VX91NRin the search bar. - Change the channel to RP.
- Click on the ✅ button.
- Let it generate the list of files.
- Download the following file from the list
Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.6_2.62112.3002.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appx
Make sure to download the x64 version. The version may change with time.
- Double click the file once it gets downloaded.
- Install the file
- You are now ready to install WSA
Install Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11
- Let’s download the Windows Subsystem for Android. You can also get the package from the downloads above and skip to Step 11.
- Visit store.rg-adguard.net again.
- Change the first option to ProductID.
- Paste
9P3395VX91NRin the search bar. - Change the channel to Slow.
- It should look like this.
- Click on the ✅ button.
- Let it generate the list of files.
- Download the following file from the list
MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_2208.40000.4.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle
Should be the last one with a 1.3 GB file size.
- Go to the location where you have downloaded the WSA bundle file.
- Right Click on the WSA file and select Copy as Path.
- Now, search for Windows PowerShell in the Windows search.
- Launch the PowerShell as administrator.
- Paste the following code in the PowerShell window:
Add-AppxPackage -Path- Right after the -Path text, press the spacebar, and paste the “Copy as Path” text from earlier using keyboard shortcut CTRL + V.
- The code should look like this:
Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:UsersDownloadsWSAMicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_2204.40000.19.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.Msixbundle"
Note: Make sure to replace the path in double quotes to the actual WSA file path and make sure the file extension is present at the end of the query, i.e., .Msixbundle
- Let the installation finish.
- Once done, type Android in the Windows Search and you will see the Windows Subsystem for Android installed.
That’s it. Enjoy Android on Windows!
Before you go, see these important tutorials:
- Download WSA (Android 12.1) with Magisk Root and Play Store
- How to install any Android app on WSA (the easy way)
- Windows 11 Available To All Windows 10 PCs | Check Eligibility Now!
- Download Latest Windows 11 ISO
- How to install Windows 11 on your Mac
- Download Latest Universal Media Creation Tool Wrapper For Windows 11 | No Setup Checks
Recommended Android Apps to Install on Windows 11
Here are some must-have apps to install on Windows 11.
- Aurora App Store | Direct Download link | F-Droid store listing
- F-Droid FOSS App Store
- TapTap Store for Android Games | Direct APK Download Link
- Latest Nova Launcher v8 APK Download
