Android 13 is currently available in developer preview as Google moves ahead with its 2022 release schedule. However, while most Google Pixel 6 users will be enjoying the Android platform, one user is running Windows 11 on their device.
One software dabbler used the Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) feature in Android 13 to boot Microsoft’s latest desktop platform on a Pixel 6 smartphone. One of the big improvements Android 13 will make over previous generations is its ability to work with virtual machines more efficiently.
Android has been able to run VMs for years, but fragmentation has meant it is a frustrating experience. Google is addressing the situation with KVM, which will standardize VM use on the platform. In other words, no more kernel fragmentation.
Web developer kdrag0n has used the new capability to boot Windows 11 on Android by running it inside a Virtual Machine. This was done on a Google Pixel 6 smartphone.
And here's Windows 11 as a VM on Pixel 6 https://t.co/0557SfeJtN pic.twitter.com/v7OIcWC3Ab
— kdrag0n (@kdrag0n) February 13, 2022
Windows 11 Boot
Google uses what it calls KVMp, or Kernel-based Virtual Machine protected. This is an official KVM from Google, which means better security and overall stability. That’s the idea, at least.
Kdrag0n is running the normal version of Windows 11, which is interesting because Windows on ARM is more focused on mobile technology. Even so there is an ARM variant of Windows 11, the advancing technology in the mobile realm means running the full version of the platform is also possible.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out as Microsoft increasingly looks to mobile as a frontier for Windows.
Tip of the day: Did you know you can use Windows’ built-in antivirus Microsoft Defender also with scheduled scans? In our tutorial we give you step-by-step instructions on how to program your personal scan-schedule to keep your free of malware.