Windows tablets are becoming more than pop. Just if yous're looking for a bigger selection of apps, Android is the answer.

While installing Android on a desktop PC is reasonably straightforward, yous might find installation tricky on a Windows tablet. One problem is that tablets don't have a CD/DVD drive.

So how tin can you install Android on a Windows tablet? We'll show y'all.

What Tablet Are You Using?

Microsoft Surface Windows 10 tablet

Earlier proceeding, be aware that Android can only be installed on standard 32-flake or 64-fleck Windows tablets. Those that use ARM processors (such as the sometime Microsoft Surface RT) are incompatible.

Meanwhile, the procedure of installing Android on your Windows tablet differs from device to device. Notwithstanding, the full general approach is the same.

Windows viii tablets are desperate for an upgrade to a usable operating arrangement. In many cases, Windows 10 is the solution. However, the lack of apps or the increasing complication of Windows 10 may prevent you from upgrading.

For many, Android is the only way to keep using sometime but perfectly acceptable tablet hardware.

What You Need to Install Android on a Windows Tablet

Get started past gathering everything you demand to install Android:

  • Your Windows tablet, plugged into a power source
  • A bare USB flash drive of 16GB or more
  • 2d USB flash drive with the Windows installer loaded on it (in case of problems)
  • USB wink disk writing software (we recommend Etcher)
  • USB keyboard (a mouse is optional)
  • A USB hub and then y'all can connect multiple devices to your tablet at once
  • The right version of Android for your system

When information technology comes to installing Android, the first selection you lot should try is Phoenix OS. Exist sure to bank check our guide to installing Phoenix OS for full instructions.

Intel also maintains some Android images for Windows machines. You'll find these every bit part of the open source Celadon project, bachelor to download on GitHub.

Before proceeding, bank check the web for steps specifically pertaining to your tablet. It's of import to have a direct, pace-by-step reference to ensure you don't make any mistakes that could wipe your drive. You certainly desire to avoid whatever errors that could leave your computer unbootable.

Why Install Android on a Windows Tablet?

Windows has a usable UI in touchscreen and tablet mode, just the Microsoft Store's app selection is comparatively modest.

If yous already have experience with Android tablets and don't particularly like the Windows bear on environment, switching is sensible (where possible, that is). Thanks to enhanced OTG back up on Android (so you tin connect USB drives and input devices) you might not even observe a difference!

Notation, yet, that you'll be restricted to apps that support x86-uniform systems. These are growing in number, only don't wait to run every app in the Play store.

Configuring Your Windows Tablet for Android Installation

You tin't just install a second operating system on a device designed for Windows without making a few adjustments to the system setup.

First, you'll need to ensure Secure Kicking is disabled. Open up Settings > Update and Recovery > Recovery and select Restart Now under Advanced Start-up. From hither, use your arrow keys to select Troubleshoot, then Avant-garde Options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

Here, observe Security in the left-hand menu and set up a Supervisor countersign. One time you've added that, open Boot, find the Secure Kick option, and set it to Disabled.

With that done, concord downward Power to restart, so hold the Windows push besides until the screen comes back on. This enables a quick shortcut dorsum into the BIOS screen, where you should ensure UEFI Mode is selected.

Install Android on your Windows tablet

Next, switch the tablet off, and connect the USB hub straight to the USB port. Do not employ a docking station.

With the keyboard and USB stick connected to the hub, boot up your tablet PC, pressing F12. In the kick menu, use the arrow keys to select the USB drive. When you demand to make selections (such as enabling dual kicking), use your device's volume keys.

Different versions of the Android installer have slightly unlike steps. In most cases, the dual boot option should be selected. It's often not worth removing Windows entirely as the bootloader is required for Android to kicking.

If all goes according to plan, when you next boot upward the tablet you should see a kick carte du jour, where y'all tin select between Android and Windows.

Alternative Ways to Run Android Apps on Windows

If your main motivation for installing Android on your Windows tablet is to use apps, emulation is a simpler solution. You tin can choose from several tools to run Android apps in this manner, including:

  • NoxPlayer: Probably the all-time Android emulator for Windows.
  • BlueStacks: Ideal for fans of Android gaming.
  • Andy: Includes features for game and app development.

Note that these will only run as well as the hardware on your Windows car allows. Check our guide to the best Android emulators for Windows for more than.

Plough Your Windows Tablet Into Android With a Virtual Automobile

Installing Android on a Windows tablet can be tough. It might have a while to find a suitable image, for case. In the worst cases, there may not even be a uniform version of Android for y'all to use.

Don't give up. If Android emulation doesn't suit you lot, consider a virtual motorcar instead.

Tools such as VMWare Thespian or VirtualBox run a virtual surroundings, upon which you install an Android operating system. This might exist the operating system you downloaded earlier to run on your specific tablet model, or it could simply be Phoenix Bone.

Either manner, this is a cleaner option than dual booting or removing Windows entirely. Simply kick Windows, launch the virtual car, and run Android. Our guide to using VirtualBox will get you started with virtual machines.

Running Android on a Windows Tablet

It tin can be a hard slog, but eventually you should be able to install Android on your Windows tablet. Perhaps yous'll end up with a dual-boot setup, or maybe you'll rely on a virtual machine instead. Either way, with Android running, yous can start enjoying your favorite apps and games.

With everything is installed, and Android booted upward, it should piece of work perfectly. Withal, whichever method you lot use to install Android on your Windows tablet, y'all'll probable find some features missing or disabled.

Equally such yous'll demand to install Google Apps to go staples like YouTube, Google Play, Gmail, and all the other popular Google-provided Android apps.

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