Microsoft introduces hardware accelerated H.264 decoding to WSA

Windows 11

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by Alexandru Poloboc 

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WSA

Many of us have been really excited since the prospect of having native Android app support on Windows 11 first came to life.

And, now that this dream actually came true, the Redmond tech giant thought about further improving the highly-anticipated feature.

Indeed, this was done via an update that was released for Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), which contains some pretty interesting tweaks.

What changes are in store for WSA?

Microsoft is rolling out a rather significant update to the Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 for Windows Insiders, that’s to say it will be updated wherever it is installed, so in the Dev, Beta, and Release Preview Channels.

Version 2203.40000.1.0 can be obtained from the Microsoft Store and includes several exciting new features and improvements, including some major changes to video playback, Windows integration, and security updates.

As we previously mentioned, this update allows Windows Subsystem for Android to take advantage of hardware-accelerated H.264 decoding.

This should enable a better experience on several apps in the current app catalog that take advantage of high-definition video playback.

Besides this new addition, Microsoft also tweaked some of the available features, seeking to improve performance and reliability.

Networking Changes

Networking changes come to the platform in order to enable future improvements. To help improve networking features in WSA, developers urge Insiders to file feedback for encountered issues.

Mail Integration

Improvements were made to Windows integration with Windows Subsystem for Android. In this update, the integration between Windows email clients and mobile apps has been improved.

Apps that take advantage of launching a mail client or message should benefit from this change immediately.

MSAA (Multisample anti-aliasing) Changes

While MSAA is a useful feature for several game apps, users were reporting that 4X MSAA could not be disabled. Before, anti-aliasing was being force-enabling and has now been fixed.

Improvements to Input

Another significant improvement was brought to the general input in Windows Subsystem for Android, including improved scrolling in the Amazon Appstore and Kindle apps.

Known Issues

  • Video playback in some apps may be choppy on certain systems.
  • Coming out of connected standby, apps may be restarted.

Tell us about your experience with WSA so far, in the comments section below.

More about the topics: Windows 11 Software & Apps

Alexandru Poloboc

Alexandru Poloboc Shield

Tech Journalist

With an overpowering desire to always get to the bottom of things and uncover the truth, Alex spent most of his time working as a news reporter, anchor, as well as TV and radio entertainment show host. A certified gadget freak, he always feels the need to surround himself with next-generation electronics. When he is not working, he splits his free time between making music, gaming, playing football, basketball and taking his dogs on adventures.