windows emulator for android

Windows Emulator for Android

ByFakhra Shaheen Reading Time: 10 minutes

Gaming is one of the rising niches in the tech industry. It was valued at 249 Billion dollars in 2022 and can be expected to increase to 665 billion dollars by 2030.

Many people play different kinds of games. But everyone doesn’t have a high-spec PC to run these games. That’s why Windows Emulator is used to play Windows games on Android.

In today’s world, People don’t spend too much time running games on Windows, and not everyone is comfortable sitting for long sessions in front of the computer.

That’s why Windows Emulator usage increases nowadays. Many people have Android phones and they want to play Windows games on their Android phones.

But not every emulator is good for use on every mobile. That’s why we list the popular emulators available on the market.

Key Takeaways

  • For Casual Users: Emulators like Winlator or ExaGear work best for lightweight apps and older PC games.
  • For Power Users: Limbo PC Emulator and Wine-based solutions allow deeper customization but require technical knowledge.
  • For High-End Gaming: Running modern PC or console games like GTA 5 or Red Dead Redemption isn’t practical on Android. Cloud gaming is a better alternative.

Popular Windows Emulator for Android

Here is a list of some of the most popular Windows emulators, you can use on your Android phones with the key features of Emulators, Requirements, Who can use these emulators, and Who should Avoid them.

So, Here is the list of popular Emulators

Winlator Windows Emulator for Android

The First Emulator on the list is Winlator which allows users to run Windows applications on their Android phones.

Windows Emulator for Android

Key Features

  • Runs Windows Productivity apps & Games: This emulator supports both (productivity apps & some old games).
  • Customizable settings: This allows users to customize CPU, RAM & Graphics settings.
  • Gamepad & mousepad support: Not all but some emulators support these extra accessories which are useful for playing pc games on Android phones.
  • Open-source: This emulator is Open-source and completely driven by the community.

System Requirments

  • OS: Android 7.0+
  • CPU: ARM64 processor (MediaTek Helio & Dymensity & Snapdragon 600, 700, and 800 series).
  • RAM: Minimum 3GB (Higher is better)
  • Storage: At least 2GB should be available for Installation & Windows software
  • Graphics: Supports OpenGL which helps in better graphic rendering.

Who should use Winlator?

  • Gamers: Not every gamer, but gamers who are interested in Old pc games.
  • Tech Enthusiasts: Technical persons who can tweak settings for better graphics.
  • App Testers: Both Developers & Users can use this when trying to use Windows software on Android.

Who should avoid Winlator?

  • Casual or Non-Technical users: This emulator needs some setting changes and tweaking and not everyone is comfortable in doing these changes.
  • High-End Gamers: Not every mobile is designed for high-end gaming. That’s why high-end gamers should avoid this emulator.
  • User expecting Full Windows Experience: This is an Emulator, So It will run only some specific applications. So If you think that this will provide you with a full Windows experience, You should avoid it.

If you are interested in installing this emulator after reading all the information about it. You can simply download the Winlator emulator.

ExaGear Windows Emulator for Android

The Second Emulator on the List is ExaGear, which is a virtual machine app that enables running Windows PC applications on Android.

Windows Emulator for Android

Key Features

  • Runs Windows Productivity Apps & Games: Supports a variety of Windows software, including older PC games and productivity tools.
  • Optimized for Performance: ExaGear uses x86 emulation for better compatibility with Windows programs.
  • Touchscreen Controls & External Peripherals Support: It works with touchscreen gestures, gamepads, and keyboards.
  • Preconfigured Wine Environment: Comes with built-in settings to improve usability.
  • Designed for ARM Devices: Specifically built for Android devices using ARM architecture.

System Requirements

  • OS: Android 5.0+
  • CPU: ARM-based processors (Snapdragon, MediaTek, Exynos, Kirin)
  • RAM: Minimum 2GB (higher is recommended for better performance)
  • Storage: At least 1GB free for installation and Windows applications
  • Graphics: Supports OpenGL for improved rendering

Who Should Use ExaGear?

  • Gamers: Ideal for gamers who want to play classic PC games on their Android devices.
  • App Testers: Useful for running older Windows software on mobile.
  • Users Who Want a Simpler Setup: Preconfigured settings make it more user-friendly than other emulators.

Who Should Avoid ExaGear?

  • Casual or Non-Technical Users: Some adjustments may still be needed for better performance.
  • High-End Gamers: Not suitable for modern PC games due to hardware and software limitations.
  • Users Expecting Full Windows Support: Only selected apps and games work; it does not provide a complete Windows OS experience.

If you’ve found ExaGear suitable for your needs and want to give it a try, you can download it.

BOX64 Droid & BOX86 Windows Emulator for Android

BOX64 Droid & BOX86 let you run x86 Windows apps and classic PC games on ARM-based Android devices using additional layers.

Windows Emulator for Android

Key Features

  • Runs x86 Apps & Games: Supports lightweight software.
  • Optimized for ARM: Works on Snapdragon, MediaTek, and Exynos.
  • High Performance: Smooth execution with dynamic translation.
  • Open-Source: Actively developed by the community.

System Requirements

  • OS: Android 7.0+
  • CPU: ARM64 processor
  • RAM: 3GB+ recommended
  • Storage: 2GB free space
  • Graphics: OpenGL support

Who Should Use It?

  • Gamers playing classic PC titles.
  • Developers testing x86 apps
  • Tech enthusiasts who like customization

Who Should Avoid It?

  • Casual users unfamiliar with emulation
  • High-end gamers expecting modern game support

Users wanting a full Windows experience Want to try it? Download BOX64 Droid & BOX86.

Mobox Windows Emulator for Android

Mobox is another emulator that allows Android users to run Windows applications and older PC games with optimized performance.

Windows Emulator for Android

Key Features

  • Supports Windows Apps & Games: Ideal for productivity software and classic games.
  • Optimized for ARM Devices: Works on Snapdragon, MediaTek, and Exynos processors.
  • Touch & Gamepad Support: Enhances gaming experience.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies setup and usage.

System Requirements

  • OS: Android 7.0+
  • CPU: ARM64 processor
  • RAM: 3GB+ recommended
  • Storage: 2GB free space
  • Graphics: OpenGL support

Who Should Use It?

  • Gamers wanting to play old PC games
  • Developers testing Windows apps on Android
  • Users looking for an easy-to-use emulator

Who Should Avoid It?

  • Casual users unfamiliar with emulator setup
  • High-end gamers expecting modern game support

Users looking for a full Windows OS experience Want to give Mobox a try? Get it from this link.

Limbo PC Emulator Windows Emulator for Android

Limbo PC Emulator lets Android users run lightweight Windows applications and older operating systems through virtualization. It’s highly customizable but requires manual setup.

Key Features

  • Runs Windows & Linux OS: Supports older versions like Windows XP and lightweight Linux distros.
  • Customizable Performance: You can adjust CPU, RAM, and storage settings.
  • Virtualization-Based: Uses QEMU for emulation.
  • Open-Source & Free: Community-driven with frequent updates.

System Requirements

  • OS: Android 5.0+
  • CPU: ARM-based processor
  • RAM: 2GB+ (higher is better)
  • Storage: 1GB free space
  • Graphics: Basic support, not optimized for gaming

Who Should Use It?

  • Users running old Windows apps
  • Developers testing lightweight OS environments
  • Tech-savvy users comfortable with manual setup

Who Should Avoid It?

  • Gamers who are expecting smooth performance
  • Casual users who are unfamiliar with emulation
  • Users looking for a full Windows experience

Want to try Limbo PC Emulator? Download it

Wine-Based Emulation Solutions

Wine-based emulation solutions enable Windows applications to run on non-x86 Unix-like systems, including Android.

Unlike traditional emulators, Wine translates Windows API calls into native system calls, offering better performance for supported apps.

How It Works

Wine-based solutions act as a compatibility layer rather than full-fledged emulators.

Hangover extends Wine’s functionality to work on ARM-based devices by integrating QEMU, allowing the translation of x86 Windows apps to run on non-x86 architectures.

Benefits

  • Better Performance: No full OS emulation, reducing overhead.
  • Lightweight & Fast: Uses fewer system resources than traditional emulators.
  • Supports Various Apps: Runs many Windows applications, especially productivity tools.

Limitations

  • Limited Compatibility: Not all Windows programs work, especially newer or complex ones.
  • No Full Windows Experience: Only provides a compatibility layer, not a full OS.
  • Requires Tweaks: Some apps need configuration to run properly.

Wine-based emulators like Hangover are best for running lightweight Windows software on Android without the heavy resource demands of traditional emulation.

But, they are best suited for users who are comfortable with manual setup and adjustments.

Running Specific Games on Android Using Emulators

Emulators have opened up new possibilities for playing PC and console games on Android devices.

While some games have official ports, others require workarounds using emulation tools. Here’s how users have managed to run these games on Android:

Kotor 1 & 2 (Star Wars; Knights of the Old Republic)

  • Kotor 1 & 2 are officially available on the Google Play Store.
  • If you want to play the PC version, you can try running it using ExaGear or Wine-based emulators.

YUZU: Nintendo Switch Emulator

  • YUZU is a Nintendo Switch emulator that can run games like Arkham City and Sniper Elite 4 on flagship Android devices.
  • This Emulator Requires powerful hardware and proper setup for smooth gameplay.

Splinter Cell: Conviction

  • A Windows game that some users have tested on Android using Wine-based solutions and Limbo PC Emulator.
  • Performance can be unstable, and some tweaks are required.

GTA 5 & Red Dead Redemption on Android

  • These games are not officially available for Android.
  • Some users have tried to run these games using Limbo PC Emulator or Wine, but the performance isn’t good.
  • The best alternative to this is cloud gaming services like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Steam on Android & Rockstar Games Launcher

  • Steam Link allows users to stream PC games to Android.
  • Some have tried running Rockstar Games Launcher through Wine, but compatibility is limited.

While emulation makes it possible to play these games on Android, not all will run smoothly. If you want a hassle-free experience, cloud gaming is often the best choice.

Performance Considerations

Running Windows emulators on Android requires strong hardware, especially for gaming. Performance entirely depends on the processor, GPU, and how your device handles heat. Here’s the information you need to know:

Snapdragon Processor is The Best Choice for Emulation

  • A powerful/flagship Snapdragon processor ensures smooth performance and better compatibility with emulators.
  • Mid-to-high-end Snapdragon chips (like the Snapdragon 700 & 800 series) perform best, handling Windows applications and games with less slowdowns.
  • MediaTek and Exynos chips can also work but may struggle with the performance and compatibility of games.

High FPS Gaming & GPU Performance

  • A strong GPU is essential for high FPS gaming on emulators.
  • Adreno GPUs (found in Snapdragon devices) perform better than Mali GPUs in emulation.
  • Higher FPS improves gameplay smoothness, but it depends on device power and emulator optimization.

Device Overheating & Smartphone Cooling

Emulation puts heavy stress on the CPU and GPU, causing overheating.

Solutions

  • Use a smartphone cooling pad or external cooling fan.
  • Lower emulator settings to reduce CPU load.
  • Avoid playing while charging, as it increases heat.

A high-end flagship Snapdragon device with proper cooling is key to getting the best emulation experience on Android.

If your device isn’t powerful enough, expect lower performance and heating issues, or find an optimized emulator.

Game Compatibility and User Experience

Some games are too healthy that’s why Not all games run smoothly on Android emulators.

While some work smoothly, others struggle with performance issues, crashes, or compatibility errors.

The experience largely depends on the emulator, game requirements, and device hardware.

Game Compatibility Across Emulators

  • Older PC games and lightweight Windows applications have higher success rates.
  • Some games require tweaks, such as modified settings, external controllers, or patches.
  • High-end PC and console games often fail to run due to hardware limitations.

PS3 Emulation on Android – Is It Possible?

  • PS3 emulation is a popular topic among gamers, but true emulation is not yet practical on Android.
  • PS3 games are highly demanding, requiring powerful hardware beyond what smartphones currently offer.
  • While some experimental projects exist, no stable PS3 emulator runs commercial games smoothly on Android.

For a better experience, users should check compatibility lists on the emulator page for their favorite emulator and adjust settings according to better performance.

Conclusion

Windows emulators for Android bring PC gaming and productivity apps to Android, but performance completely depends on mobile hardware and compatibility of mobile phone.

Choosing the Right Emulator

  • For Casual Users: Emulators like Winlator or ExaGear work best for lightweight apps and older PC games.
  • For Power Users: Limbo PC Emulator and Wine-based solutions allow deeper customization but require technical knowledge.
  • For High-End Gaming: Running modern PC or console games like GTA 5 or Red Dead Redemption isn’t practical on Android. Cloud gaming is a better alternative.

Final Thoughts

Windows emulation on Android is exciting but comes with limitations. The right emulator depends on your needs.

Casual users can enjoy older games and apps, while power users may push for more demanding tasks with tweaks.

However, some high-end flagship games remains impractical, and performance varies based on mobile to mobile.

Before installing an emulator, check your device’s specifications and be prepared for tries and tests.

If performance issues exist, adjusting the settings of emulators or upgrading to a more powerful device may be necessary for a smooth experience.

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