Windows 11 can run Android applications because of the direct built-in Android subsystem
According to Microsoft engineers, the reason why Windows 11 can run Android applications is because the system has a built-in Android subsystem.
Therefore, this is not a virtualized container or virtual machine as speculated by the outside world. In fact, Microsoft’s built-in Android subsystem is significantly better than a virtual machine in terms of performance.
At the press conference last night, Microsoft demonstrated running the TikTok app directly on Windows 11. This is like opening TikTok directly on an Android device.
After the user installs the Android application, it can be loaded directly on a small vertical screen, and the notification sent by the Android application will be pushed through the Windows 11 notification center.
In Windows 10, Microsoft has a built-in Linux subsystem, which allows Linux system developers to build specialized subsystems for Windows 10.
There have been rumors about Windows 10 supporting Android applications. The only slight change is that Windows 10 has become Windows 11.
At the press conference, Microsoft stated that the ability to run Android applications is through Intel’s bridge technology, and at the same time, the Microsoft store will be built into the Amazon store to provide applications.
But Microsoft did not disclose more details about these technologies, and Microsoft engineers did not respond until a developer asked how the Android application works.
Microsoft engineers said that the rumors you heard are correct. Windows 11 has a built-in Android subsystem, just like Windows 10 has a built-in Linux subsystem.
According to Microsoft engineers, the built-in Android subsystem can run Android applications, and the related binary files are run through Intel’s bridge technology.
And the Android subsystem allows Android applications to call various devices of the system, including but not limited to network interfaces, microphones, cameras, Bluetooth, and positioning.
This means that it will be very convenient for us to use Android apps on Windows 11 because it is no different from using these apps on Android devices.
It is worth noting that although Microsoft announced that it will cooperate with Amazon to bring the Amazon store to the Microsoft store, subsequent developers can also directly submit applications to Microsoft.
At that time, the Microsoft Store may also provide Win32 software, UWP applications, ARM applications, and Android applications, plus Microsoft hardware devices.
Another problem is that all applications that require the support of Google Mobile Services cannot be used on Windows 11, including Google Maps and other Google apps.
