Understand how Microsoft will run Android apps on Windows 11

After much speculation and leaks, Microsoft announced yesterday (24) the long-awaited Windows 11. The operating system will come free for those who already have Windows 10 and, among the news, the new OS will have access to and run Android apps.

The ad caught a lot of people by surprise, even the giant from technology having already said that it would revamp your app store. The question that remains is: how will the apps run in the software, since they were developed in different structures?

In a publication on its official website, the Intel gave more details on how Intel Bridge technology will work to make this happen. First, Gregory Bryant, executive vice president and general manager of the brand, spoke about the partnership between the companies.

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The expert said that the “combination of Windows 11 and Intel technologies and platforms offers unparalleled performance, compatibility and experiences.” As the company promises, the partnership goes beyond a simple emulation and will deliver applications running “smoothly”.

technical explanation

To run the apps Android on Windows, Intel Bridge technology works as a post-compiler that transforms applications for the x86 architecture. In other words, the tool performs a kind of translation, making the programs run as if they were native to the x86 environment, which is also used in Linux.

The system works similarly to the software Rosetta which is on the M1 chips of the Apple. But instead of converting x86 programs to ARM architecture, it does the opposite, leaving ARM for x86. Another important detail is compatibility: despite the technology being from Intel, the novelty will also work on machines running Windows 11 on AMD CPUs.

Even running on different types of CPU, Intel still pulls sardines to its side in the official statement about the function. The company said the brand’s multi-architecture model “provides the right engines for the right workloads, integrating CPU cores, graphics technology, artificial intelligence accelerators, image processors and more in a single solution.”

With all that, the promise is that the technology will make all Android mobile apps and games run on the PC. It will be possible, for example, to download TikTok and use it on the computer as if it were any other program.

To be able to make this app library integration, Microsoft partnered with Amazon Appstore. However, it appears that it will also be possible to run Android apps outside the store. Second Miguel de Icaza, which works at the company, users will be able to use APK files to install Android apps on Windows 11.

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