Microsoft's Windows 11 Android subsystem, WSA, has received an update that supports hardware-accelerated H.264 video decoding, allowing Android apps to run more smoothly when playing videos in this format.
How to install the new version of WSA:
https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9P3395VX91NR
ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9P3395VX91NR
What’s new in Windows 11 WSA
In the latest version 2203.40000.1.0, the Windows 11 Android subsystem includes new features and improvements, with several improvements to video playback, Windows integration, and security updates.
H.264 video hardware decoding:
This update allows the Android subsystem to take advantage of hardware-accelerated H.264 decoding, which can provide a better experience for apps that play HD video.
Network changes:
This update brings network changes to the Android subsystem. To help improve network functionality in the Android subsystem, Microsoft encourages internal personnel to submit feedback on network issues encountered in apps.
Integrated Mail Features:
Integration between the Windows email client and the Mobile App has been improved in this update. If the Android App asks to open an email, it will bring up the Windows email client without any problems.
MSAA (Multisampling Anti-Aliasing) changes:
While MSAA is a useful feature for some games, users have reported being unable to disable 4X MSAA. previously the Android subsystem would force anti-aliasing to be enabled, this has now been fixed.
Improved input experience:
Improvements have been made to the input functionality in the Android subsystem, including an improved scrolling experience in the Amazon Appstore and Kindle App.
There are still some bugs in the Android subsystem for this update:
- On some systems, video playback in some Android apps may be intermittent.
- The app may restart after exiting Connected Standby.
Windows 11 Subsystem for Android includes the Linux kernel and the Android operating system based on version 11 of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The subsystem runs in a Hyper-V virtual machine, just like the Linux subsystem, and can map the runtime and APIs of the App in the AOSP environment to the Windows graphics layer, memory buffers, input modes, physical and virtual devices, and sensors, running on Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm CPUs.
Users who join the Windows Preview Experience program can find the update for download in the Store or download the full subsystem for reinstallation.