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Is it possible to install Android on a PC? If so, how would this be accomplished?

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You can run the emulator on the PC.... Otherwise... you'd have to make drivers specific to the hardware you are running it on? – Bryan Denny♦ Dec 10 '10 at 13:56

6 Answers

up vote 30 down vote accepted

The HowToGeek has a set of instructions on how to Run Android on Your Netbook or Desktop here. It uses the Android builds from Android-x86.org but I don't know how active that project still is?

However if you just want to try Android out you're probably far better off just using the emulator on your PC.

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Well, I've got a project for this weekend now. Thanks! – Tim S. Van Haren Dec 11 '10 at 1:54
+1 Showing the love! The project is still quite active :) – Zuul Jul 26 '12 at 22:21
up vote 6 down vote

I bought an Acer Aspire netbook, and it has Windows 7 and Android 2.1 pre-installed.

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Which model of Aspire have you got? Is it fully functional Android? Does it come with the Android Market and the other Google-only apps? – GAThrawn Jan 10 '11 at 14:15
@GAThrawn it's an Acer Aspire One D255. Actually, I am an Android-noob, but I think it is a fully functional Android. Android Market Store is not preinstalled. I had to install it myself. – Natrium Jan 11 '11 at 11:29
@GAThrawn But Android is clearly not made for use on a netbook. I can not scroll with the touchpad, and I can not increase mouse-acceleration, so the mouse is pretty slow. – Natrium Jan 11 '11 at 11:30
@GAThrawn Firefox is also preinstalled, and Flash works out of the box. – Natrium Jan 11 '11 at 11:31
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@Natrium thanks for filling us in with more details. Android shouldn't have any big design disadvantages for running as a 2nd OS on a Netbook, unfortunately it sounds like your problems are more down to Acer not spending time getting the drivers for their hardware right on Android. Have you looked to see if they've released any updates for it? – GAThrawn Jan 11 '11 at 11:52
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up vote 6 down vote

Checkout Bluestacks.

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up vote 3 down vote

I came across another way to install Android on a PC from MakeUseOf via this Android Enthusiasts question, and thought I'd post it as an alternative answer. It's a live CD called, appropriately enough, "Live Android."

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up vote 2 down vote

Yes, it is possible. I am running a fully functional Android 4.0.4 (ICS) on my Acer ASPIRE ONE D255E.

Amazing how fully functional it is, out-of-the box, without me having to spend any time tweaking or hacking.

Use these up-to-date instructions on How To Install Android On Your Netbook.

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up vote 2 down vote

There are many ways to run android on PC

  1. Using Official Android Emulator
  2. BlueStacks
  3. YouWave
  4. AppSurfer (run Android app in browser)
  5. Android-x86 Project
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