Microsoft has officially ended support for Android apps and games on its Windows 11 platform as of March 5. Users who rely on the integration of Android functionality into their Windows environment will no longer be able to use this functionality. India today reported that this decision comes along with the discontinuation of the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), responsible for enabling Windows 11 to run Android apps sourced from the Amazon Appstore.
With the closing of WSA, the Android application and Amazon The Appstore will no longer work on Windows 11 devices. Users must back up their data before services become unavailable. While shutting down WSA may disappoint some users, Microsoft suggests exploring alternative methods for running Android apps on Windows, including emulators like BlueStacks.
Although Microsoft is ending support for Android apps, the tech company has rolled out a new update for Windows 11, introducing several improvements and built-in features. Notable features include expanded control capabilities for Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, which now offers voice accessibility shortcuts. Additionally, a new Generative Erase feature has been introduced in the Photos app, allowing users to effortlessly remove unwanted objects from photos using AI technology.
Scheduled for late March, the Copilot improvements will allow users to take prompt actions such as activating battery-saving mode and opening accessibility features like Narrator or Magnifier. Furthermore, Copilot will display available Wi-Fi networks, storage status and facilitate emptying the recycle bin, increasing user productivity and convenience.
With Copilot’s upgrades, the Photos app will now have new features like generative erasing to improve photo editing capabilities, while Microsoft’s video editor, Clipchamp, now has an AI-powered feature to remove awkward silences from videos.
The introduction of these enhancements underscores Microsoft’s commitment to improving user experience and productivity on its flagship operating system.