How to Access Windows Subsystem for Android Files on Windows 11

The Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) brought a native way to run Android apps directly on Windows 11 without needing a third party emulator. But one question that users kept running into was simple yet frustrating: how do you actually access the files stored inside WSA?

Whether you downloaded something through an Android app, saved a photo, or just wanted to move files between your Windows folders and the Android environment, the process was not always obvious. In this guide we will walk you through every method available to access and manage your WSA files.

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Important Update: Microsoft officially ended support for the Windows Subsystem for Android on March 5, 2025. The Amazon Appstore has been removed from the Microsoft Store and WSA no longer receives updates. If you still have it installed on your system, the methods below will work. For new users, we have included alternatives at the end of this article.

What is the Windows Subsystem for Android?

Before jumping into the methods, let us quickly understand what WSA actually is. The Windows Subsystem for Android is a compatibility layer built into Windows 11 that allows you to install and run Android applications natively on your PC. It was powered by the Amazon Appstore and used a virtual machine under the hood to create a sandboxed Android environment right inside Windows.

Because WSA runs Android in a virtualized space, the files generated by your Android apps are stored inside a virtual disk image (VHDX format). This means you cannot simply browse them the way you would browse a regular Windows folder. You need specific methods to access them.

Method 1: Use the Built in Files App (Easiest)

The simplest and most recommended way to view your Android files is through the built in file manager that comes with WSA itself.

Steps:

1. Open the Start Menu and search for Windows Subsystem for Android Settings.
2. Click on it to open the settings panel.
3. Navigate to the System tab.
4. Look for the option labeled Files and click on it.
5. This will launch the Android file browser inside WSA.

Once the file browser opens, you will see familiar Android folders like Downloads, Documents, Images, and Videos. You can browse, open, rename, and delete files from here just like you would on an Android phone.

This method is perfect for everyday file management. If you simply need to check what an Android app downloaded or locate a saved document, this is the way to go.

Method 2: Enable Shared User Folders

If you want your Android apps to access your Windows files (or vice versa), enabling shared folders is the best approach. This feature creates a bridge between your Windows user profile folders and the Android file system.

Steps:

1. Open the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app.
2. Go to the System tab.
3. Select Experimental features.
4. Toggle on the option that says Share user folders.

Once you enable this, your Windows user folders such as Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos will become accessible inside the Android environment. They appear at the path /sdcard/Windows within the Android file picker.

This means that when an Android app asks you to select a file, you can navigate to the Windows folder and pick files directly from your PC. It works the other way around too. Files saved by Android apps into the shared folder will be visible from Windows File Explorer.

This is incredibly useful if you use productivity apps or want to edit the same files across both environments without manually copying them back and forth.

Method 3: Drag and Drop Files

For quick and casual file transfers, WSA supports a basic drag and drop feature that works surprisingly well.

How to use it:

1. Open an Android app inside WSA (it will appear in its own window on your desktop).
2. Open Windows File Explorer and locate the file you want to transfer.
3. Simply drag the file from File Explorer and drop it into the Android app window.

This works with most apps that support file handling, such as file managers, document editors, and media players. You can also try the copy and paste method in some apps. Just copy a file in Windows and paste it into a compatible Android app.

Keep in mind that this method depends on the app supporting the feature. Not every Android app will accept dragged files, but most popular ones do.

Method 4: Use ADB for Advanced Access

If you are a power user or developer who needs deeper access to the Android file system (including system directories and app data folders), the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is your best tool.

Setting Up ADB

Step 1: Enable Developer Mode in WSA

1. Open Windows Subsystem for Android Settings.
2. Go to Advanced settings (or Developer settings depending on your version).
3. Toggle on Developer mode.
4. Note the IP address and port displayed on screen. It is usually something like 127.0.0.1:58526.

Step 2: Download ADB

1. Visit the official Android developer website and download the SDK Platform Tools package.
2. Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a folder on your PC. For example, you can extract it to C:\adb.

Connecting ADB to WSA

1. Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt.
2. Navigate to the folder where you extracted ADB. For example, type cd C:\adb\platform-tools.
3. Run the following command to connect to WSA:

adb connect 127.0.0.1:58526

4. Verify the connection by running:

adb devices

You should see your WSA instance listed as a connected device.

Transferring Files with ADB

Once connected, you can push and pull files between Windows and WSA using simple commands.

To copy a file from Windows to WSA:

adb push "C:\Users\YourName\Documents\example.txt" /sdcard/Download/

To copy a file from WSA to Windows:

adb pull /sdcard/Download/example.txt "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\"

To browse the Android file system:

adb shell
ls /sdcard/

ADB gives you the most control over the file system, but it does come with a learning curve. For most users, the earlier methods will be more than enough.

Accessing Private App Data

If you need to access files stored in an individual app’s private data directory (typically located at /data/data/ on Android), you will need root access. Standard WSA installations do not provide root access, which means these folders are restricted by default due to Android security policies.

Some community modified builds of WSA do offer root access, but using them comes with security risks since they do not receive official updates from Microsoft.

Where Does WSA Store Files on Windows?

You might be curious about where the actual WSA data lives on your Windows drive. The raw storage files are located at:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_8wekyb3d8bbwe

Inside this folder you will find subdirectories like LocalCache and LocalState that contain virtual disk images and configuration files.

A word of caution: Do not manually edit or delete files in this directory. These are system level files that keep your entire WSA installation running. Modifying them directly can corrupt your Android environment and may force you to reinstall everything from scratch. Always use the official tools and methods described above to manage your files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Files App Does Not Open

If clicking the Files button in WSA settings does nothing, make sure the subsystem is actually running. Open any Android app first to start the WSA service, then try opening the Files app again.

Shared Folders Not Appearing

After enabling the Share user folders option, you may need to restart WSA for the changes to take effect. Close all Android apps, wait a few seconds, and then reopen one to restart the subsystem.

ADB Connection Refused

If ADB cannot connect to WSA, double check that Developer mode is enabled in WSA settings. Also confirm that the IP address and port number match what is displayed in the settings panel. Sometimes the port number changes after a restart.

Files Are Missing After an Update

WSA updates occasionally reset certain settings. If your shared folders disappear after an update, go back into the WSA settings and re enable the Share user folders toggle.

WSA Has Been Discontinued: What Are Your Alternatives?

Since Microsoft ended support for WSA in March 2025, it is important to know your options going forward. Here are the best alternatives for running Android apps on Windows.

Android Emulators

Traditional emulators like BlueStacks, NoxPlayer, and LDPlayer remain the most reliable way to run Android apps on a PC. They create a full virtual Android environment and support the Google Play Store, giving you access to a much larger app library than what WSA offered through the Amazon Appstore.

Phone Link by Microsoft

If you just want to access apps already installed on your Android phone, the built in Phone Link app on Windows 11 lets you mirror your phone screen or stream individual apps to your desktop. It works over Wi Fi and does not require any emulation.

Web and Desktop Alternatives

Many popular Android apps now have official desktop versions or web apps. Before setting up an emulator, check if the app you need has a Windows version or a browser based alternative. This is often the simplest and most stable solution.

Community Maintained WSA Builds

Some projects on GitHub (such as WSABuilds) attempt to keep WSA alive through unofficial builds. While these can work, they carry security risks because they do not receive official patches. Only consider this route if you are an advanced user who understands the implications.

Final Thoughts

Accessing files inside the Windows Subsystem for Android was never as straightforward as browsing a regular folder, but Microsoft did provide several workable methods. The built in Files app handles everyday needs, shared folders make cross environment workflows seamless, drag and drop is great for quick transfers, and ADB covers everything else for advanced users.

Even though WSA has been discontinued, the knowledge of how it works remains valuable for users who still have it installed. And if you are looking for a fresh way to run Android apps on Windows, the alternatives mentioned above have you covered.