Wine

With the Wine HQ application for Android devices, we can run Windows software on our smartphone or tablet. It's compatible with Win16 and Win32 systems

Run Windows software on Android

Wine HQ has been around for a few years, a program that allows users of operating systems like Linux or Solaris to run Windows software on their machines. Since Android is based on the Linux kernel, nobody should be surprised that there is also a version for this mobile operating system.

Run old Windows software on your Android

It has features similar to the PC version. In other words, we can run Windows applications on our smartphone or tablet. Only Win16 and Win32 programs though... but that's better than nothing.

We'll be faced with an interface similar to pre-XP versions of Windows, like Windows 95 and Windows 98, and we'll need physical input devices like a mouse and keyboard. A good option might be to resort to a virtual keyboard app.

So if you really want to, you can now run software developed for Microsoft's operating system on your Android phone.

Requirements and further information:

• Minimum operating system requirements: Android 2.3.
• Installing the app using the APK file requires enabling the "Unknown Sources" option in Settings > Applications.