Windows 11 Android Apps: Hardware Requirements and WSA Sunset 2025

Microsoft's brief on the hardware floor for running Android apps on Windows 11 boils down to a simple, pragmatic message: you need a modern PC — preferably with an SSD, virtualization enabled, and at least 8 GB of RAM (16 GB recommended) — and even then the practical value of that capability is now constrained by Microsoft's decision to end support for the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) and the Amazon Appstore on Windows in 2025.

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Background​

When Microsoft shipped the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) and integrated the Amazon Appstore into the Microsoft Store, the pitch was straightforward: bring Android apps to Windows with a native, integrated experience using a lightweight virtualized Android runtime. That runtime relied on Hyper‑V virtualization and mapping Android inputs and graphics into the Windows environment so apps could run side‑by‑side with native Windows programs. Early previews required Insider enrollment and were limited by region and system capability.
Over time Microsoft documented explicit device requirements for the feature. Those requirements were practical — emphasizing storage performance and virtualization support — and were intended to reduce user frustration from poor performance or compatibility issues on older hardware. At the same time, Amazon and third‑party developers were asked to test on machines meeting a modest baseline so their apps behaved acceptably.
The broader context changed significantly in 2024: Microsoft publicly announced that it would deprecate WSA and that the Amazon Appstore on Windows would no longer be supported beyond March 5, 2025. That sunset means the technical minimums matter mostly for historical installations, sideloading projects, and short‑term migrations rather than as a long‑term platform Microsoft will maintain.

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Microsoft’s hardware requirements explained​

Microsoft's published guidance for running Android apps on Windows 11 focuses on five practical areas: memory, storage, processor family and architecture, virtualization support, and regional availability. These are short, precise constraints intended to protect the user experience and ensure a consistent runtime footprint across devices.

RAM and storage​

• Minimum RAM: 8 GB
• Recommended RAM: 16 GB or more
• Storage: Solid‑State Drive (SSD) recommended

Microsoft's consumer documentation lists 16 GB as the recommended configuration and recommends an SSD, explaining that the subsystem performs better when it can rely on fast random I/O and low latency. Third‑party materials and developer guidance also emphasize testing on 8 GB machines at minimum — a realistic compromise between broad install base and usable performance for most apps.
Why this matters: Android apps expect smartphone‑class storage and memory behavior. Running many concurrent Android processes inside a lightweight VM increases memory pressure and I/O activity; without sufficient RAM and SSD performance you will see longer app launch times, swapping, and stuttering.

CPU and architecture​

• Intel: 8th‑generation Core i3 or newer (x64)
• AMD: Ryzen 3000 series or newer (x64)
• Qualcomm: Snapdragon 8c or newer (ARM64)
• Architecture: x64 or ARM64; the subsystem supports both families

Microsoft specified these CPU minimums to ensure acceptable single‑thread performance, compatibility with instruction sets, and to limit the number of edge cases where instruction translation or other compatibility shims would be required. That scope made sense: Intel 8th‑gen and Ryzen 3000 were mainstream by 2019–2020 and represent a practical compatibility floor for a virtualized Android runtime.

Virtualization and firmware​

• Virtual Machine Platform (Windows feature) must be enabled
• CPU virtualization (in UEFI/BIOS) must be switched on

WSA uses a Hyper‑V‑based VM to host Android; the Virtual Machine Platform is the minimal Windows feature that must be active. This requirement is both a performance and a security decision: it keeps the Android runtime isolated and lets Windows control resources and privileges. The need to enable virtualization at firmware level is non‑negotiable.

Region and distribution caveats​

From the beginning the Amazon Appstore on Windows was a geographically curated product: the Appstore was available only in select countries and initially required region settings (and sometimes Insider program steps) to access during preview. That limitation was practical — partnerships and content licensing drive store availability — but it also meant not every Windows 11 user could simply "turn on" Android apps without meeting a region and account checklist. Microsoft documented supported countries and the steps to install via the Microsoft Store.

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How the official requirements line up with other players​

The Windows‑side approach differed from Google's Play‑centric strategy for bringing Android titles to PCs. Google’s Play Games for PC offered its own minimums (typically 8 GB RAM, SSD, 4 physical CPU cores, and an Intel UHD 630 or comparable GPU), but focused on curated games and Play services integration. That resulted in different trade‑offs: Google pushed for smoother game compatibility and closer parity with mobile Play services, while Microsoft — via WSA and Amazon — prioritized a cross‑platform runtime that could host many app types but lacked Google Play services integration.
Key differences at a glance:

• Microsoft (WSA + Amazon): VM‑based Android runtime, SSD + virtualization required, CPU floor that includes Intel 8th gen / Ryzen 3000 / Snapdragon 8c, Amazon Appstore catalogue only, no Google Play services.
• Google (Play Games for PC): Tighter game certification and Play services integration, modest hardware minimums for supported titles, often a smaller, curated games list that is optimized for PC inputs and GPUs.

Because each approach used different integration models, their system requirements and content ecosystems were never directly interchangeable — a crucial point when choosing how to bring an Android experience to a PC.

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What the requirements mean in practice​

Short, decisive takeaways for PC owners and IT professionals:

• If your system is older than Intel 8th gen or Ryzen 3000, expect issues. While Windows 11 itself supports a broad range of devices, the Android runtime had a notably higher CPU floor. That's deliberate: the extra headroom reduces translation overhead and delivers smoother runtime behavior.
• SSD + virtualization is non‑negotiable for a usable experience. Traditional spinning disks create noticeable I/O bottlenecks for VMs. Microsoft explicitly recommended SSDs to avoid poor app launch times and instability.
• 8 GB is the soft minimum, 16 GB the comfort zone. Expect to prefer 16 GB for multitasking scenarios, heavier apps, or heavier game titles. The 8 GB floor is aimed at light usage and compatibility testing.
• Region and store availability will determine real access to Android apps. For much of the preview lifecycle the feature required the Microsoft Store and an Amazon account in supported markets — a practical friction point for adoption.

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Critical analysis: strengths and business logic​

• Smart engineering trade‑offs: Microsoft intentionally set requirements that favored performance and stability over broad inclusivity. An SSD, virtualization, and a modern CPU limit the surface area of compatibility bugs and poor user experiences. For an emulated/virtualized runtime, that is a reasonable policy.
• Cross‑architecture support: WSA’s runtime model was written to work on x64 and ARM64 hardware. That meant Windows on Snapdragon devices could run Android code natively in places where instruction sets matched, and Intel/AMD devices could rely on translation technologies to handle ARM‑only app binaries. That architectural flexibility had real strategic value for Microsoft’s device partners.
• Developer testing guidance: Amazon’s developer guidance encouraged testing on devices with at least 8 GB RAM, which is a pragmatic, developer‑targeted minimum that aligns with most modern laptops and desktops sold in recent years. That made the platform approachable for developers who wanted to reach a new class of users without rewriting apps.
• Security and manageability: Using Hyper‑V and the Virtual Machine Platform meant Windows controlled the Android runtime boundary. That model made it easier for Microsoft to provide consistent updates, security mitigations, and more predictable behavior than unmanaged emulators.

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Critical risks, downsides, and the policy shift that changes everything​

• Deprecation and support end. The most consequential risk is not technical: Microsoft announced the deprecation of WSA and the Amazon Appstore on Windows, with formal end‑of‑support slated for March 5, 2025. That announcement changes the calculus for anyone planning around WSA as a long‑term feature. For administrators, developers, and power users, the message is clear: treat WSA as a temporary bridge rather than a permanent platform.
• Store and ecosystem limitations. Even before the deprecation, the Amazon Appstore was a constrained catalog compared to Google Play. Major apps and games often rely on Google Play services (sign‑in, payments, push notifications), and without those integrations some apps behave incorrectly or are unavailable. The content and developer reach were therefore limited from the start.
• Regional and account friction. Early availability was limited to selected markets, and some preview instructions forced a specific region/language configuration to enable installs. That created unnecessary friction for many users and complicated enterprise deployment. Microsoft’s support pages clarified supported countries and the store distribution model, but the practical effect was limited reach.
• Sideloading is a fragile fallback. With official support ending or already restricted, users resorted to sideloading APKs or third‑party tooling. That approach works for hobbyists but creates security, update, and compatibility risks — and it’s unsupportable for mainstream enterprise deployments.
• Mismatched expectations across competing models. Third‑party comparisons — especially between Microsoft’s subsystem and Google’s Play Games for PC — often conflated different experiences and timelines. Google focused on curated gaming with Play services; Microsoft prioritized broad app runtime. Requirements and quality expectations differed accordingly, and some early press or local coverage reflected that confusion. Check the date and context when comparing spec sheets.

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Practical guidance: if you want to try Android apps on Windows 11 today​

• Confirm whether WSA/Amazon Appstore is still available in your region and whether you installed it before Microsoft's deprecation cutoff. Official Microsoft pages state the deprecation timeline and supported countries. If you did not install the subsystem or Appstore prior to their respective availability windows, new installs may be blocked.
• Check hardware:
• Verify you have at least 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended).
• Ensure your system disk is SSD; HDDs are explicitly discouraged.
• Confirm CPU: Intel 8th gen or later, AMD Ryzen 3000 or later, or Snapdragon 8c or later for ARM devices.
• Enable virtualization:
• Turn on CPU virtualization in UEFI/BIOS.
• Enable the Windows feature Virtual Machine Platform via Windows Features or PowerShell.
• Reboot and confirm the feature is active.
• If your goal is gaming and you need Google Play services, evaluate options:
• Google Play Games for PC provides an official, curated route for certain titles but has its own regional rollouts and requirements; it may or may not include the titles you want.
• For unsupported titles, sideloading or third‑party emulators are fallbacks but come with security and update trade‑offs.
• For developers: target broadest compatibility by testing on a machine with 16 GB RAM and SSD, and validate behavior without Google Play services when possible. Amazon’s developer guidance recommended testing on at least 8 GB for compatibility checks.

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What's verifiable and what to treat cautiously​

• Verifiable: Microsoft’s published device guidance (SSD preferred, 8 GB min / 16 GB recommended, CPU family minima, virtualization requirement) is documented on Microsoft Support and Learn pages. Those are authoritative and should be used as the primary reference when assessing a device's suitability. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)
• Verifiable: Microsoft's deprecation timeline for WSA and the Amazon Appstore on Windows is publicly documented and irreversible for planning purposes; treat WSA as unsupported beyond March 5, 2025. (learn.microsoft.com, theverge.com)
• Caution: Press summaries, translation snippets, or third‑party recaps sometimes conflate historical requirements, preview steps, or regional preview constraints with general availability rules. For instance, instructions to change system region or language to access the Appstore were practical workarounds during early previews but are not a universal installation step and are now moot in many regions because the store integration has been withdrawn. If you read an older guide recommending a region/language flip or referencing a specific KB shorthand like "KB11," verify the exact KB number and date against Microsoft’s update catalog. The optional update that shipped in early previews was KB5010414 (OS Build 22000.527) — references to shorthand labels can be ambiguous and should be validated. (support.microsoft.com, windowscentral.com)

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The competitive and strategic angle​

Microsoft’s approach to Android on Windows was an attempt to broaden app availability and close a content gap — the same market pressure that drove Apple to make iOS apps more available on macOS when it shifted to Apple Silicon. However, Apple’s approach (native binary support and close control over the platform) and Google’s approach (Play services and developer certification for PC) offered different trade‑offs.
Microsoft’s model was technically interesting — a lightweight VM and cross‑architecture runtime — but ultimately required careful curation, app partnerships, and long‑term investment in an ecosystem that didn’t deliver enough clear value to sustain it. The deprecation decision confirms that the business case wasn’t strong enough to continue investing at the platform level. For users and developers the lesson is pragmatic: rely on stable, supported bridges (official Play Games, vendor‑maintained emulators, or native ports) instead of experimental OS‑level subsystems that may be discontinued. (theverge.com, developer.android.com)

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Conclusion​

Microsoft's hardware requirements for Android apps on Windows 11 were modest but purposeful: an SSD, virtualization, and a modern CPU + 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended) create a realistic baseline for acceptable performance inside a VM‑based Android runtime. Those requirements reflected sensible design choices — performance, security, and cross‑architecture flexibility — and were reinforced by Amazon’s developer guidance for testing. (support.microsoft.com, developer.amazon.com)
However, the practical impact of those requirements is now limited by Microsoft’s decision to sunset WSA and by Amazon’s corresponding adjustments: the subsystem and store were deprecated with a formal support end on March 5, 2025. That change transforms the hardware checklist from a road map for an ongoing, supported feature into a short‑term compatibility guide for existing users, sideloaders, and developers who need to plan migrations away from WSA. Treat the subsystem as a temporary tool rather than a permanent extension of the Windows app ecosystem, verify current availability in your region, and plan for alternative approaches for Android on PC — whether that’s Google’s official Play Games offering, native ports, or well‑maintained emulation tools. (learn.microsoft.com, play.google.com)

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Source: Mashdigi Microsoft explains the basic hardware requirements for using Android apps on Windows 11