According to MakeUseOf, the Win 11 Launcher by developer Spark Planet costs $3 to remove ads and unlock premium features while offering a surprisingly complete Windows 11 desktop experience on Android devices. The launcher transforms your smartphone interface with a taskbar, Start menu, Action Center, and fully functional File Explorer that includes networking options. During testing on a Nothing Phone 3 running Nothing OS 4 beta, the launcher automatically organized apps into folders like Google and Social Media while maintaining the distinctive Windows aesthetic. However, the free version displays frequent full-screen ads with countdown timers that appear after just a few actions, making the ad-free premium version practically essential for regular use.
When your phone becomes a desktop
Here’s the thing about Android launchers – they’re basically just skin-deep visual overhauls, but this one goes surprisingly deep. The Start menu actually scrolls like the real thing, you get that familiar taskbar across the bottom, and the File Explorer even has the ribbon interface that pops up when you long-press files. It’s not just reskinned icons – there’s actual functional design here that mimics how Windows actually works.
But the real surprise? It’s actually usable. I mean, who actually needs a desktop operating system on their phone? Probably nobody. Yet somehow, having that Start menu and proper file management system feels… comfortable? Familiar? It’s like putting on an old pair of shoes that happen to be running on a completely different platform.
The ad situation is brutal
Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The ad frequency in the free version is absolutely relentless. We’re talking full-screen takeovers with countdown timers that pop up after what feels like every third click. Open a folder? Ad. Check a notification? Ad. Breathe wrong? Probably another ad.
And honestly, I get it. Developers need to eat, and $3 to remove ads permanently is actually pretty reasonable compared to some subscription-based apps out there. But the implementation here feels deliberately frustrating to push you toward that purchase. It’s the classic free-to-play mobile game strategy applied to a system launcher, and it works – you’ll either pay up or delete the thing within hours.
File Explorer actually works (mostly)
The File Explorer might be the most impressive part of this whole experiment. It’s not just a reskinned version of Android’s basic file manager – it actually mimics Windows’ layout with Quick Access, local drives, and even network options. The fact that you can access LAN and FTP servers (though those are premium features) shows this isn’t just a superficial makeover.
There are some quirks, of course. Android’s file system structure doesn’t perfectly map to Windows, so your photos might not show up where you expect them. But the attention to detail is impressive – the view mode options, the right-click functionality, even the way folders expand and collapse. It’s clear someone put real thought into making this feel authentic rather than just slapping Windows-style icons on everything.
So should you actually use this?
Look, if you’re the type of person who gets nostalgic for Windows or just wants to freak out your friends, Win 11 Launcher is a genuinely fun experiment. The 4.6 Play Store rating suggests plenty of people are happily using it, and frequent updates mean the developer is actively maintaining it.
But here’s my take: either go premium or don’t bother. The free version is basically an extended demo that will drive you insane with ads. At $3, the premium version is cheaper than most coffee drinks and actually makes this a viable daily driver if you really want that Windows experience on your phone.
It’s wild that we live in a world where you can turn your Android device into a convincing Windows 11 machine. The customization possibilities on Android continue to be its killer feature compared to locked-down alternatives. This might not be for everyone, but the fact that it exists and works this well? That’s pretty cool.
