Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 updated with improvements for gamers: all the details

Microsoft released an update to Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 on Tuesday. The update is now rolling out to all Windows Insider channels in the United States. The new update, version 2206.40000.15.0, mainly focuses on games. It also brings several new changes such as improvements for input compatibility in networking applications, windowing improvements, and reliability. The update also brings a new suite of shims (libraries) to toggle in the Windows Subsystem Settings app for Android that will enable better experiences across multiple apps, according to the company.

In a blog post, the tech giant announced the release of an update to Windows Subsystem for Android with version 2206.40000.15.0. The update is currently available to all Windows Insider channels, but only in the United States. According to Microsoft, it includes “several new changes such as updates for input compatibility in applications such as games, networking and windowing improvements, and reliability updates.”

Microsoft is making available a new suite of shims (libraries used to transparently intercept application programming interfaces, or APIs) to switch into the Windows Subsystem for Android settings app, which is supposed to enable better experiences across multiple apps. It also adds compatibility for games with joysticks, mapped to WASD keys. Compatibility for gamepad in games, for aiming in games with arrow keys and for swiping in games with arrow keys is also introduced.

Additionally, the new Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 also offers improved scrolling and networking. Microsoft has also set the default minimum window size to 220dp. The update also brings an improved dialog when an unsupported VPN is detected, a new toggle for viewing and saving diagnostic data, security updates, general reliability fixes, and graphical improvements . General reliability fixes also include diagnostic size improvements.

Microsoft also highlighted a known issue with the new Windows Subsystem for Android on the Windows 11 update. According to the company, some VPNs may not work with Advanced Networking. If a user doesn’t have network connectivity for Android apps while using a VPN, they can disable advanced networking in the Windows Subsystem for Android settings app, according to the company.

---