Android OS is an open source mobile operating system owned by Google and developed by the Android developer community. Android is based on Linux, and it is widely used in mobile phones, and also waiting for its entry into tablets and netbook computer segment. Though it is a mobile OS, we can virtually run Android on Linux, Intel Mac and even in Windows. Live Android is a special compilation of Android OS in a CD ISO image form, that we can use to boot Android from a USB drive or CD. We can also use a desktop vitalization application like SUN VirtualBox and install (virtually) or operate Android OS in Windows and other OS platforms. Though we cannot exactly reproduce and use Android just like as in mobile phones, give it a try if you are planning to buy an Android device or curious to know about its user interface, menu options, etc. Here we will point you to the Live Android download, and help you to install Android OS in Windows, virtually using SUN VirtualBox application.
Shop by operating system and limit your search to Apple tablets, Android tablets, Windows tablets, or Fire. You'll also find links here to the latest cases, covers, and accessories. And if you already own an Android tablet, check out the link to the Amazon Appstore for Android because the right computer tablets demand the right apps!
Download Android OS Live image version:
Download Android Live CD here.
Credits: Live Android and Google Code.
Download the 3rd(.001) and 4th(.002) links, and join the two files with HJsplit for Windows.
Now download and install SUN (Now Oracle) VirtualBox for Windows from here.
After installation, Open VirtualBox and click on create new virtual machine .
Enter the name as Android and Operating system choice as Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. In all upcoming steps, click next after competing with all the required instructions given below. Set memory. (keep it as default) From radio buttons, create new hard disk. Select Dynamically expanding storage . Set Android virtual disk location and a suitable size (say 20GB) Now click Finish to create a new Android VirtualBox.
Now from VirtualBox interface select Android and click start . First run wizard opens. In next step, select media source as image and browse to the location of the joined Live Android .ISO image . Let the wizard complete. It will open the the Android OS home (given below) after execution. When we click mouse anywhere, it will pop-up a box- click capture and continue.
Android Home Android Menu
Techknowl in Android web browser- virtually installed on Windows (click to enlarge ).
The above stated technique is used for testing an old version of Android on Windows. You can find and download Android 4.0, and other new variants from this websiteand test it on the Virtualbox using the same procedure. The Android x86(Windows 32 bits)bit) builds given in that site works exceptionally well
with corresponding devices given in that page; however, you could use the same ISO files to create bootable USB disks (using Unetbootin ). Follow the procedure given in the Unetbootin website to build a Live, Android USB disk.
If you just want to run popular Android apps on your Windows or Mac (limited compatibility) desktop, try Bluestacks.
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One of the benefits of having an Android tablet is the convenience of easily transferring files between Windows PCs and the device. While third-party apps enabling wireless file transfer do exist, the USB method requires no downloads beforehand. When your work spans from your computer to your tablet, all you'll need to transfer your files is the device's included USB cable. Transferring files is as simple as dragging and dropping the files between your computer and the tablet.
1.
Plug your tablet into its included USB cable. Plug the opposite end of the cable into an open USB slot on your PC. Ensure both the tablet and computer are on before making the connection.
2.
Click your computer's Start button. Select 'Computer.' Find your tablet among the listed drives under 'Devices with Removable Storage.'
3.
Transfer files by dragging and dropping them from your computer to your tablet in Windows Explorer. For example, transfer a spreadsheet from your computer by finding the file in one Windows Explorer window and dragging it to your desired location in your device's Explorer window.
4.
Click the 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon in your Windows taskbar's notification area when you're ready to disconnect your tablet. Select your tablet from the list of devices. Once Windows severs the connection, it's safe to physically unplug your tablet.
Tips
Alter your tablet's USB settings by tapping 'Settings,' 'Devices,' 'Storage,' 'Menu' and 'USB Computer Connection.'
Inserting a microSD card into your tablet gives it more storage space, but note that not all Android tablets support expandable storage.
This process also works with Android phones.
Warning
This process was written using Android 4.1. Directions may differ with other versions of the operating system.
References (3)
About the Author
Matt Koble has been writing professionally since 2008. He has been published on websites such as DoItYourself. Koble mostly writes about technology, electronics and computer topics.
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
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Koble, Matt. 'How to Connect to a Windows 7 Computer From an Android Tablet.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-windows-7-computer-android-tablet-66907.html. Accessed 11 January 2020.
Koble, Matt. (n.d.). How to Connect to a Windows 7 Computer From an Android Tablet. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-windows-7-computer-android-tablet-66907.html
Koble, Matt. 'How to Connect to a Windows 7 Computer From an Android Tablet' accessed January 11, 2020. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-windows-7-computer-android-tablet-66907.html
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