Manual WSA Install via PowerShell

2026-03-04·7 min read

#wsa#install#powershell#manual

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When to Go Manual

Manual install is the foundation every GUI tool builds on. It's useful for offline PCs, automation, and understanding what WSA Installer automates for you.

Prerequisites

Virtual Machine Platform enabled
Developer Mode turned on in Windows Settings
The WSA MSIX bundle downloaded (e.g. from WSABuilds)

Developer Mode is required to sideload the unsigned bundle. WSA Installer enables it automatically.

The Commands

Add-AppxPackage -Register .\AppxManifest.xml -ForceApplicationShutdown

After registering, launch 'Windows Subsystem for Android' from the Start Menu, open Developer Mode inside the subsystem, and note the IP shown for ADB connections.

adb connect 127.0.0.1:58526
adb install your-app.apk

Why Most People Don't

Manual install is fiddly: you must pick the right build, enable features, sideload, configure ADB, and separately patch Play Store. WSA Installer collapses all of this into one administrator-run wizard.

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