Although there are already a huge number of programs for Android, many users sometimes need to download the Windows applications they use on their Android device. Conversely, there are users who need to emulate a mobile operating system on a PC.
And this is not without reason, since a huge number of utilities have already been developed and are widely used, designed, for example, for Windows XP or for Windows 7, 8, 10, but which are not available for Android. Of course, the inverse problem is no less relevant. One of the most accessible methods to solve the problem is to install emulators designed for Android devices or designed to adapt Windows to the functioning of third-party programs.
This Android emulator for Windows is the most widespread and already has many fans.
Update 2.0 has already been released for this application, which has significantly expanded its interface with many features. It allows you to run games and programs designed specifically for Android on Windows.
With the help of Bluestacks, many utilities and games function perfectly, but it also has a very large database of its own software. All utilities included in the emulator library are guaranteed to function on a PC. There are applications already built into Bluestacks, for example, Instagram. The utility has all the necessary capabilities, for example, shaking emulation, saving a screenshot, simulating GPS, and also provides comfortable operations with files, like in Windows Explorer.
If a number of programs are running simultaneously, then convenient switching between them is available. For toys there is support for gamepads. You can install the program from the official resource of the developers of the utility “www.bluestacks.com”.
This emulator, compared to Bluestacks, can be classified as “mini”, but it is quite functional.
The interface is no longer so overloaded with unnecessary features that the vast majority of computer owners usually do not use. After downloading the application, the normal Android desktop is immediately displayed on the display.
For ease of use by users, the developers have provided the ability to change window parameters and their orientation. It should be noted that the settings have a performance optimization function.
And also with the help of the utility you can easily obtain “root rights” by simply pressing one button in the settings menu. The app does a great job of recording video from the display.
The main disadvantage of this program is the poor quality of the image when using toys, since “Nox App Player” is designed specifically to work in applications such as those used for recording video clips and saving screenshots. The program is perfectly integrated with the Windows 10 notification system. It is recommended to install the utility from the official resource of the program developers “https://trashbox.ru/link/nox-app-player-Windows”.
Genymotion
If you are a developer of toys and programs for Android, then this utility is for you. However, many ordinary users very often successfully complete their tasks using it.
The utility works perfectly in all Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, as well as in OS X and Linux.
The main distinctive advantage of the emulator is the presence of templates for most Android devices, which correspond to the characteristic parameters of the gadgets: display size, satellite navigation, work in the network of mobile operators, etc. After opening the program on a PC, you can launch a menu to configure the above characteristics of the device. That is, it is possible to experiment with the behavior of the application after losing connection with the World Wide Web or with navigation satellites. Of course, the developers of the utility made sure that all these characteristics are easily adjusted.
It is advisable to install the application from the official resource “www.genymotion.com”.
Nox App Player (NoxPlayer)
Nox Player is a very famous emulator with excellent user reviews. It is completely in Russian, is well compatible with a wide variety of games and, interestingly, allows you to use different versions of Android within one emulator, which allows you, if necessary, to either install a newer version, or, if you have a weak computer or laptop, an older one. which may be more productive on specific hardware.
Additional interesting nuances include support not only for Windows 10, 8.1 and Windows 7, but also a version of the emulator for Mac OS, design themes, macro recording, a full-fledged Russian interface language and, what is also important, an official certificate in Russian, which is rare for such kind of products.
Another important detail: among all the Android emulators that have been around for a long time, NoxPlayer is the one that on average has the best user reviews, and the share of negative ones is very small. A complete overview of the emulator and its functions, official website: Android Emulator NoxPlayer (Nox App Player).
MEMU
If the user is mainly interested in toys, then this application is created specifically for these entertainment purposes and supports the functioning of most Android toys.
The developers even took care of a special button layout and high-quality gamepad emulation. The utility allows you to bind “touch” keys to computer physical buttons. It should be noted that even in Bluestrax this has not yet been implemented. The list of application features is very extensive.
The program implements a convenient process for transferring utilities from a PC to a mobile Android device for faster installation. Users will also be pleased with the gameplay in full-screen format. Even almost all particularly “gluttonous” toys in this utility function perfectly, and there are no display difficulties.
The program also provides root access and has its own library of toys. It is recommended to install the application using the resource: “www.memuplay.com”.
MuMu App Player - Android emulator for weak PCs
Android emulator MuMu App Player, according to many user reviews, is an ideal option for weak PCs with the Play Store pre-installed. Unfortunately, the Russian interface language is not provided in the emulator.
Otherwise, in the emulator you can find functions and settings similar to other such programs:
- Flexible configuration of keyboard controls in Android games on a computer, preset control parameters for popular shooters.
- Adjusting the performance and hardware characteristics of the emulator.
- Integration with Windows for APK installation, the ability to enable root access, limit FPS, which sometimes has a positive effect on performance.
More details about this emulator and where to download MuMu App Player - Android emulator for weak PCs MuMu App Player.
Andy
This program is similar in functionality to "MEmu".
However, according to reviews from a significant number of users, some toys do not work in it and there are difficulties with the graphic display of games.
But if operation with simple utilities is required, then the program copes with them very well and functions reliably. The application contains all the main functions: display location, satellite navigation simulation, use of a microphone and video camera, displaying a picture in full screen of a PC monitor. A distinctive feature of the utility is the ability to independently configure the keys, for example, when playing games related to driving cars, you can configure the controls through the usual “WASD” combination.
The main disadvantage of the utility is the presence of advertising. It is recommended to install the application by visiting the official resource: “www.andyroid.net”.
Application tests
- Steam. CrossOver offers to install it immediately after launch. Works great, without freezes or lags. You can watch, download, buy any game. Which of them will work is a big question. So you'll have to try.
- Notepad++. The x64 version could not be installed. There is no support for x64 programs here. But the version for Windows x32 worked just like on Windows... No problems with plugins or settings. Only on devices with a very small touch screen there will be serious difficulties with control.
- SMath Studio. Requires NET Framework 2.0, after installation of which it launches successfully, although it has problems with graphics: mathematical symbols and the grid are not displayed. But all calculations can be performed.
- Total Commander. The version from the official website could not be launched. But the version from the CrossOver repository (unfortunately, this is not the latest 8.52a) worked perfectly.
- GPU-Z and CPU-Z did not work.
- AIDA64 generated an error during installation.
- CCleaner. It was not possible to install the version from the site (5.36), but version 3.16.166 was installed from the repository (it’s the only one there) and even found some garbage.
- Firefox version 47.02 worked great, but after updating to version 49 it stopped launching.
- LibreOffice. The latest version from the official website installed and worked without any problems.
SMath Studio
Support for MS Office 2010 is officially declared. And in the repository you can even find the 2013 version (based on experience, I will say that the 2016 office is unlikely to work). Also, Mathcad, Wolfram Mathematica and other complex applications that are highly integrated into the system will not work yet.
LibreOffice
WOT Blitz from Steam failed to launch, although the native version of the game for Android worked perfectly. The installer for the desktop version of World Of Tanks also failed to launch. And the version offered for installation by CrossOver itself is intended for the European server. By the way, even in it I could not find the “Install” button in the installer.
CCleaner
QEMU
"QEMU" is one of the fastest Windows emulators for Android, but sometimes it crashes. The utility loads the Windows 95 or 98 interface.
Installation instructions:
- You can install the application using the link: “https://drugoy.net/data/uploads/SDLapp.apk”;
- Then this downloaded file must be unzipped to sdcard using the application: “https://drugoy.net/data/uploads/SDL.zip”;
- Next, download the Windows 95 image from “https://depositfiles.com/files/0lprz5pfn” or Windows 98 from “https://depositfiles.com/files/3hcmtasf0”. They need to be saved in the “SDL” directory on the sdcard;
- Then open Windows using SDLapp.apk.
Note: Windows 95 is more reliable and stable than version 98.
Creating emulators in Android Virtual Device Manager
On the site for Android application developers - https://developer.android.com you can download Android Studio and everything you need for programming for Android (Android SDK). It goes without saying that this kit also includes tools for testing and debugging applications on virtual devices. The emulator can be created and launched without even going to Android Studio:
- Open Android SDK Manager and download the SDK Manager and system image to emulate the desired version of Android.
- Launch Android Virtual Device (AVD) Manager and create a new virtual device.
- Launch the created emulator.
So this is the official way, but it is not too easy for the average user. If you wish, you can find all the instructions for installing the Android SDK and creating virtual devices on the specified website, but here I will not describe the entire process in detail - this would take a separate article.
Running Windows on a tablet using emulators
The safest and easiest way to install Windows is to use emulators, they differ in their parameters, have advantages and disadvantages, let's look at them in a little more detail.
QEMU emulator
The emulator runs old operating systems of the x9 series. We do the installation, with files, all of them are located (downloads: 416) according to the following scheme: Download SDLapp.apk and start the installation process. This is the QEMU emulator file. In the SDL.zip archive (BIOS firmware and device drivers). We unpack the archive into the sdcard folder using an archiver. Download the *.img OS image, another option is to create it yourself using Nero or analogues. Copy the *.img image to the SDL directory on our device. Launch the program. For beginners, version 95 of the Windows series is recommended. On 98 there are many pitfalls and unnecessary problems, in addition, the speed on 98 is much lower. We place the programs for which the operating system was installed in the image of the new drive D: Load Quemu HDD.rar - a required archive. Install WinImage, open the OS image and place the downloaded program files into it. Copy the renamed D.img image to the tablet in the SDL folder. In sdl.conf we write the following: /sdl -L . -m 128 -boot c -hda C.img -hdb D.img -usb -usbdevice tablet. We reboot, launch Windows and the program, already from drive D: The advantages of the emulator are the speed of operation, the fastest in comparison with others. Disadvantages of the emulator: Time is displayed incorrectly Taps do not always work as clearly No technical support for the program No sound Poor screen resolution No network support
BOCHS Emulator
At the moment, this is the best emulator, it corrects all the shortcomings of the previous one. The only drawback is the speed of operation; powerful operating systems simply won’t work on it.
Installation process:
You should download and run the installation process Bochs2_5_1.apk and SDL_for_BOCHS.zip (BIOS firmware and device drivers are located here) Unpack it into the SDL package located in the sdcard directory Download the image, similarly to the installation of the previous emulator Copy the *.img image file to the tablet in the SDL folder Now you can run the program
Everything works similarly to the QUEMU emulator. The only thing is that when starting the game we don’t edit the sdl.conf file, we edit bochsrc.txt in the SDL folder and find an entry in it
#ata0-slave: type=disk, path=»d.img and remove the “#”.
In another option, we write in bochsrc.txt:
Ata0-slave: type=disk, mode=vvfat, path=/sdcard/HDD, journal=vvfat.redolog and create the “HDD” folder on the memory card in the sdcard directory. Advantages of the emulator: stability; there is sound, you can run almost all versions of Windows OS, except the most powerful ones; mouse emulation is at a good level. Disadvantages: slow speed; no support.
Emulator aDOSBox
The main feature of this emulator is the ability to run games under DOS. It is also possible to launch Windows.
Installation process: Download aDosBox_v0.2.5.apk and install it on the device Download (downloads: 153) then extract the dosbox-0.74.conf file from this archive and install it in /sdcard/appdata/org.hystudio.android.dosbox/.dosbox Create it yourself or download the win98.img system image and place it in the sdcard directory. Now the program can be launched Advantages: There is no black frame on the screen The mouse works better than in other emulators Disadvantages: Sometimes an unexpected and spontaneous mouse click occurs
Installing Windows on an Android tablet without using emulators
First, decide whether the hardware allows you to do this, find out all the information in open sources, otherwise it will be difficult to restore everything later.
The best option would be version 8 of Windows OS. To start the installation process you will need a bootable USB flash drive or DVD drive (external), keyboard and mouse (USB). If there are few free USB ports on your tablet, a USB hub will come in handy. If the system cannot find the network via a wi-fi adapter (you need to be prepared for this in advance), use a USB Ethernet adapter. Install the system image in advance onto a disk for installation from a DVD drive; consider this option a priority; a beginner will not always be able to do it from a flash drive.
Let's begin the installation: Create copies of all information on the device In SETUP, select either a flash drive (a bootable flash drive can be created using special software) or a DVD drive. See how to do this in the tablet's manual. Install the system as on a regular tablet. If you don’t know how to install on a computer, use the help of professionals or read the forums.
After successful installation of OC. Install other wi-fi adapter drivers; perhaps they will install themselves during the Windows installation process.
Big fans of Windows, having spent many years on the operating system, are trying to teach modern smartphones to run programs and games written for the desktop OS. Some last for several days, while others make every effort to see the cherished greeting on the screen of their smartphone. But is Windows and its software even needed on an Android device? Isn’t it easier to find an analogue of the required program, developed specifically for the “green robot”? Be that as it may, we will tell you about ways to run Windows on Android, but decide for yourself whether it is necessary.
Koplayer
Koplayer is another free emulator that allows you to easily run Android games and applications on your Windows computer or laptop. Just like the previous options, Koplayer works quite quickly on relatively weak systems and has similar settings, including assigning the amount of RAM for the emulator. Well, the most interesting thing that this program has is a very convenient keyboard setup for each game separately, and you can assign gestures on the Android screen, accelerometer actions, and clicks on individual areas of the screen to the keys.
Read more about using Koplayer, as well as where to download the emulator in a separate article - Android Emulator for Windows Koplayer.
How to Run Windows Programs on Android
Most often, this idea is asked by users who simply wanted to experiment with systems and software. Agree, it’s interesting to look at an old game for personal computers running on an Android smartphone. But these systems have different architectures, which prevents programs and games from running freely. On Windows, as many people know, programs have the extension .exe, on Android it is completely different - .apk. However, special tools can still make .exe programs work on Android. These tools are called emulators, and today we will get acquainted with the most popular of them.
- Want to play around with the systems' capabilities a little?
We will install an emulator that allows you to easily switch to the native system of your smartphone. Essentially, this is a simple program that will not affect Android in any way. - Have you ever thought about turning your device into a full-fledged computer?
You will have to study its characteristics (find out whether the processor supports the desired architecture), search through a bunch of forums, and perhaps you will be able to get the system to work more or less normally.
To completely replace one system with another, the device processor must have the appropriate architecture (for Windows - i386). You should also note that doing such manipulations is very risky - there is a high probability of simply disabling the device. If the tablet was originally developed on Android, then it is very difficult to make its hardware work at least somehow with Windows.
- You need a full-fledged Windows in your pocket that will work perfectly without errors.
The best option would be to buy a compact DualBoot tablet that runs on two popular operating systems at once. - Just like the look of Windows ?
There are users who, in principle, are satisfied with the capabilities of Android, but like the design of the Windows interface. If you are one of them, then go to Google Play, where there are a lot of free applications (launchers) that will turn your smartphone into a mini-PC.
Windows emulators for Android
The simplest and safest way to run Windows games and programs on Android is through emulators. They are special applications that have a minimal impact on the operating system - you can be sure that your smartphone or tablet will not turn into a “brick”. Today there are many emulators, we have selected several of the most popular. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but there is a common feature - none of the emulators support Internet connection
.
We also need to make a small digression: Windows is a rather “gluttonous” system, so it is advisable to have a productive device. If you hope that you will be able to run GTA 5 or Photoshop using an emulator, then it is better to immediately discard the idea of installing it. All you can run are standard Windows tools and a couple of prehistoric games, and only if the stars align correctly, since no one guarantees you absolute performance.
Now that you know about the nuances, let's move on to the emulators themselves.
QEMU
Of all the emulators that we will consider today, this one is the fastest in operation, but with an abundance of glitches. Due to its simplicity, it is suitable for beginners who do not want to get acquainted with all the nuances of emulators. More on the pros and cons later, but for now installation instructions:
- download the necessary files (you can take everything);
- unpack the downloaded archive;
- Install the SDLapp.apk application on Android - and there is an emulator;
- The SDL.zip archive must be unpacked into the root folder of the sdcard (use a file manager and any unzipping application);
- place the win_95_em system image (will also be in the archive) in the SDL folder;
QEMU supports emulation of Windows 95 and 98. We recommend using the first version as a basis - it is more stable, easier to install and use. If you wish, it will not be difficult to find Windows 98 on the Internet, only the image must have the .img extension.
- launch the SDLapp.apk application and enjoy loading Windows (though not everyone will be lucky).
Control occurs by dragging the mouse cursor with your finger, clicks are made using the volume buttons or double tap. You'll have to get used to it.
Now let’s talk about how to install your programs and games on Windows, which is also installed on Android. Here we will also need additional files and applications that can be downloaded. Let's move on to the instructions:
- download Qemu_HDD.rar (archive with images) and the WinImage program, which will help load your programs into the image of the required size;
- rename the resulting image with programs to “D.img” (without quotes), and then place it in the SDL folder, which is located in the root of the device’s memory;
- open (create if not) sdl.conf, into which you need to insert the following line: “/sdl -L . -m 128 -boot c -hda C.img -hdb D.img -usb -usbdevice tablet” (without quotes);
- restart Windows.
What we liked about this Windows emulator for Android:
- works quickly;
- easy to install and use.
What are its disadvantages:
- abundance of errors;
- poor technical support;
- it took a long time to get used to the controls;
- unable to connect to the Internet.
BOCHS
A popular emulator that has become famous due to its stable operation with a minimum of crashes and errors. The developer has improved the controls, which have become simpler and more understandable than in QEMU. BOCHS is capable of emulating almost any system from the Windows family, but the performance of smartphones is not enough to quickly launch timely versions. However, there are distributions of the much-revered XP, which will already allow you to test the operation of many programs and games on an Android smartphone.
The installation instructions are similar to those we described just above for QEMU. So, we take all the necessary files and applications, after which:
- install the BOCHS.apk program on Android, having previously allowed installation from unknown sources;
- create the SDL folder in the root directory of the device, where we unpack the downloaded SDL_for_BOCHS.zip archive;
- We also put the system image into the SDL folder, the name of which should be “c.img”;
The image can be downloaded on the Internet or made yourself (you only need the installation distribution of the operating system). You can create an image directly on your smartphone using the DriveDroid program, which is available on Google Play.
- launch BOCHS.apk.
The system works stably for most users, but it is not too fast, which can be called the main disadvantage of this emulator. Control is carried out via touch screen and navigation buttons.
You can launch Windows games and programs using the method described for QEMU. Only in this case, changes are made to the bochsrc.txt file located in the SDL folder. Open it and find the line #
ata0-slave: type=disk, path=”d.img” and remove the “#”. In addition, the BOCHS emulator supports another method that allows you to add the ability to run programs. In the same document (bochsrc.txt) you need to add one line - ata0-slave: type=disk, mode=vvfat, path=/sdcard/HDD, journal=vvfat.redolog.
What's good about the emulator:
- works stably;
- supports many systems;
- easy setup and operation;
- convenient control.
What are the disadvantages:
- slow;
- there is no way to connect to the Internet.
A rather interesting emulator, which, as you might understand from the name, is designed to run DOS games and programs on Android. First of all, fans of old-school games will be pleased. It works no worse than other emulators, although it has its drawbacks. In addition, enthusiasts have found a way to run Windows 95 and 98 with their programs using this emulator. We take the necessary files, then:
- install the aDosBox.apk application on your smartphone;
- from the config-adosbox.rar archive, take the dosbox-0.74.conf file and move it to the “\sdcard\app-data\org.hystudio.android.dosbox\.dosbox\” folder, which will appear after installing the application;
- download the image of Windows 95 or 98 (suitable from BOCHS) and move it to the root of the sdcard;
- launch aDosBox.apk, wait for installation.
What you liked about the emulator:
- fairly fast and stable operation;
- convenient control;
- high-quality image display on the screen.
Its disadvantages:
- failures occur periodically;
- there is no way to go online.
Analogues of Windows programs on Android
Whatever one may say, emulators are more of a way to have fun. These programs will not be able to fully provide the user with normal working conditions: regular lags, support for a minimum of peripheral devices, and few programs can be installed. A more reasonable solution, if you need Windows programs on Android, are analogues of the necessary software. Google's system is developing rapidly; today it is full of programs that, in terms of functionality, can replace desktop options. Only you also get convenient control, stable operation and a minimum of fuss with installation.
The same goes for games. In recent years, many releases for Windows have been transferred to Android, and quite high-quality ones at that.
If you are an ardent Windows fan, then buy a small tablet on this system that will fit in your pocket, since the price tag on them today has dropped below $100. Windows tablets can handle running popular programs without any problems, and you can play all the old games without “dancing with a tambourine.”
Content
What is CrossOver for Android
How to install CrossOver for Android
Installing and working with applications
Results
Note: The CrossOver utility works on devices running Android and Chrome OS that have x86 processors - these are Intel or AMD chips. Therefore, most devices with ARM chipsets will not be able to run Windows applications. The author of the article tested CrossOver on an ASUS laptop with an AMD processor and the latest version of the Remix OS operating system.
Some features are missing...Yet
Games require certain libraries and APIs to run. Some common APIs are currently missing from Wine on Android.
Missing, but may come at some stage, are Direct3D 12, Vulkan, and full OpenGL ES support (to enable Direct3D; currently limited). Introducing them into Wine for Android will expand the selection of applications that can be used.
However, wine is in constant development. So these features can be expected in a future release. Luckily, Wine supports Direct3D 10 and 11, the Direct3D command flow, and the Android graphics driver. Meanwhile, we can also enjoy improved support for DirectWrite and Direct2D.
What is wine?
Often erroneously described as an "emulator", Wine (a recursive acronym for Wine Is Not Emulator) is actually a compatibility layer. It is a software library that allows Linux, macOS and BSD to run Windows applications. Although some emulation is used (specifically the Windows Runtime), Wine does not emulate the operating system.
Over the years, Wine has become increasingly popular as a way to run Windows software on other platforms. When installing a virtual machine there is one option (perhaps, say, running Microsoft Office on Linux
), Wine is probably easier to set up.
Wine has been available for ARM devices (such as the Raspberry Pi) for some time. Wine has now been released for Android.
