In a significant shift for Windows 11 users, Microsoft has announced that the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) will be discontinued in 2025, coinciding with the removal of the Amazon Appstore from the Microsoft Store. This decision has left a substantial number of users disheartened, as they rely on WSA for accessing a variety of Android applications that are not available on Windows. Currently, WSA remains functional in Windows 11 24H2, but its future hangs in the balance as Microsoft prepares to pull the plug.
“Just let me have WSA”, users rally Microsoft to not kill off WSA in Windows 11
A post on the Feedback Hub titled “Please don’t depreciate Windows Subsystem for Android in 2025!” has garnered nearly 700 upvotes, reflecting the collective frustration among users who depend on WSA for their daily tasks. Many have expressed their discontent with the impending removal, emphasizing that WSA has become an essential tool in their workflow.
<figure id="attachment76915″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-76915″ class=”wp-caption aligncenter”><figcaption id="caption-attachment76915″ class=”wp-caption-text”>Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com
Users have shared personal anecdotes highlighting the importance of WSA in their lives. One individual noted, “I just got a Surface Pro 9 5G to replace my iPad … and a major factor of that is due to Android apps. WSA has become [an] ultimate tool on Windows even if it isn’t polished. Please keep working on it, it has become invaluable to me.” Another user pointed out that certain Android applications outperform their Windows counterparts, stating, “The Windows Apple Music app is kind of a mess … but the Android app worked near-flawlessly on WSA.”
For developers, WSA serves as a critical platform for building and testing Android applications. A developer remarked on the necessity of WSA for viewing apps in a production environment, noting, “When building an Android app, it is essential to see in a Production environment, and WSA provided this option by allowing you to launch a developed APK for UAT/Beta Testing.” The sentiment among professionals is clear: WSA is a valuable asset that should not be discarded.
However, the disappointment extends beyond the potential loss of WSA. Users have expressed frustration over Microsoft’s pattern of introducing features only to later abandon them. One user lamented, “It’s hard not to feel frustrated when you start using an unpolished feature with the backing of the worst app store only for it to be left unimproved until it’s yanked out from under you.”
Why Microsoft is killing off WSA in Windows 11?
The rationale behind this decision appears to be tied to the financial performance of the Microsoft Store. Reports indicate that the Windows 11 Android project was shelved due to insufficient revenue generated by the Store. A former Microsoft developer explained that the financial viability of WSA was closely linked to the Store’s performance, stating, “Store revenue pays the bills and salaries of the WSA team.”
<figure id="attachment70824″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-70824″ class=”wp-caption aligncenter”><figcaption id="caption-attachment70824″ class=”wp-caption-text”>Microsoft Store added instant games to boost engagement, but that could not save WSA | Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com
Moreover, the lack of support from Google has been cited as a significant factor in WSA’s struggles. With Google opting not to participate in the WSA project, the initiative faced considerable challenges. A former program manager remarked, “Honestly, when Google walked away the nails were in the coffin.”
Despite the potential for WSA to enhance user experience on Windows, its rocky launch and limited availability have hindered its success. Initially, WSA was only accessible to users in the United States, and by the time it expanded to other regions, it was too late to capture a broader audience. This mismanagement raises questions about whether Microsoft will reconsider its approach to WSA in the future.
