Customization is one of the best reasons to keep using Android. The ability to change your smartphone from its stock configuration into almost anything you want is unmatched, especially when you consider how limited and locked down everything in iOS is.
I’ve previously tried using Windows Live Tiles on my Android smartphone, which worked really well. So, imagine my surprise when I found an Android launcher that let me switch my homescreen and app drawer experience to match Windows 11. That’s right; I turned my Android smartphone into a desktop, and it was a surprisingly good experience—bar one thing.
- OS
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Android
- Price model
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$3 unlock ads
Transform your Android device with Win 11 Launcher, a sleek, fast launcher inspired by Windows 10/11 aesthetics. Designed for easy navigation and customizable themes, it offers one-tap app access, tile-style icons and built-in file manager functionality — all wrapped in a lightweight interface that runs smoothly on a variety of phones.
This launcher brings Windows 11 to your Android smartphone
It even has folders!
I’ve seen a few folks running a Windows 11 launcher on their Android devices, and thought, you know what? That’s a bit of me. So, I tracked down Win 11 Launcher, downloaded it, and fired it up.
My Nothing Phone 3 (running the Nothing OS 4 beta) was immediately transformed into a Windows 11-esque environment, with a stack of quick-access folders running down the left-hand side and a familiar taskbar across the bottom of the screen.
It’s a good overhaul in style, especially coming from Nothing OS’ stripped-back, monochrome stylings. The Google folder features all of the apps you’d expect, while the Social Media folder is immediately populated with the few apps I have installed. Interestingly, it calls WhatsApp social media; I’d call it a messenger.
I like the immediate desktop design, but the really cool change is the introduction of a Windows-style Start menu. Now, this Start menu actually looks closer to Windows 10 than Windows 11, but that’s a small gripe. Functionally, it actually works really well, and you can scroll up and down like the actual Start menu, find apps, access Settings, pin apps, and so on.
The inclusion of the Windows 11 Action Center also brings a touch of realism. You open the Action Centre by tapping the notification icon in the bottom right corner, where it reveals many of the quick-action menu you’d typically swipe down for on Android devices.
The File Explorer is spot on
It’s still a little odd to see File Explorer on a smartphone
Stylistically, the File Explorer window is spot on. You have your Quick Access items and local drives to the left of the window, with the main window changing as you move through files and folders.
I found that Win 11 Launcher automatically populated the corresponding folders correctly most of the time, but there are some quirks due to how Android manages certain folder and file types compared to Windows. So, for me, opening the Pictures folder in the Win 11 Launcher File Explorer shows Essential Space, Screenshots, Slack, and Stardew Valley.
But none of these folders contain my actual photo library, which is found when I select Local Disk > DCIM > Camera.
I like that the Win 11 Launcher File Explorer has some integrated networking options, too. You can select either LAN or FPT to access your network files. However, these are both premium features, so I haven’t given them a proper test.
Another feature that caught my eye in the File Explorer is that the function ribbon comes to life when you long-press on a file or folder. The options to Cut, Copy, Paste, and so on all become available, which is nice attention to detail. There is also a dropdown menu that lets you change your view mode, similar to what you’d find in Windows 11 proper.
Let’s talk about ads
It’s a free launcher, so support has to come from somewhere
Win 11 Launcher is free to use, but it does come with a premium version that unlocks every feature. Also, as you’d expect, the premium version does away with ads, which, for a launcher, is actually quite important.
I’m not knocking the Win 11 Launcher developer in the slightest. It’s a free project that developer Spark Planet has clearly invested a lot of time into, and adverts are a way to make sure they receive compensation for their time. However, the frequency of some of the ads is frustrating, as is the fact that they’re often full-screen takeovers with countdown timers.
The frequency of the ads is simply too much, likely to force you toward paying for the full version. I didn’t time or measure it, but it felt like an advert would show after a certain number of clicks or actions. Open a folder, browse through a few photos, and clear a notification? Bam, another advert. Check out a few themes and add a new folder to the desktop? Bam, take another advert.
As said, I get that it’s paying for development, but the frequency of adverts pushed me towards deleting Win 11 Launcher faster than I would consider taking the premium subscription.
Bring your desktop to your Android smartphone with Win 11 Launcher
I was a little skeptical about the idea of using Windows 11 on my Android smartphone. Windows 11 is mostly a great operating system, but it has more than its fair share of problems. Its problems are Microsoft’s making, of course, but it also doesn’t help that Windows 11 breaks every time they update it.
At least, that’s how it feels.
But Android is a different beast, and for the most part, launchers are just a specific, detailed visual overhaul for your device. And in that, Win 11 Launcher does a great job. I like the folders and Start menu, and it generally feels like you’re really using Windows on your Android smartphone. On that, if you want to experience Windows on your Android device but slant towards older operating system, there is a way to get Windows XP on your smartphone, too.
But the adverts are a turn-off due to the frequency, and not something I could live with long-term. But given Win 11 Launcher receives frequent updates, can morph your phone into other smartphone themes, and has a 4.6 rating on the Play Store, the $3 ad-removal fee could be worth it.