Windows 11 Takes a Spin on the Nintendo Switch
In a quirky twist of tech experimentation, a resourceful individual has successfully booted up Windows 11 on a Nintendo Switch. The gaming console, which is typically home to Mario and Zelda, temporarily transformed into a PC, albeit humorously dubbed the “world’s slowest PC” due to its sluggish performance. The nickname is well-earned; the system reacts to commands with a significant delay, taking several seconds to register any input.
This playful endeavor was showcased by a user known as PatRyk on the social platform X (formerly Twitter). The installation process of Windows 11 onto the Nintendo Switch was a laborious one, stretching out to approximately three hours. PatRyk utilized an ARM64 version of Windows with KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) enabled to achieve this technical feat.
Despite its novelty, it’s clear that the Nintendo Switch won’t be officially supporting Windows 11. On the flip side, there are rumblings within the tech community about Microsoft’s potential interest in the handheld gaming market. Speculations are ripe on whether Microsoft might introduce an Xbox-branded handheld device or perhaps tailor Windows 11 to be more compatible with small-screen devices, following the footsteps of handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally.
Adding credence to these speculations, Microsoft has circulated a survey to gather consumer opinions on gaming handhelds. This move has fueled discussions and predictions about the likelihood of an Xbox handheld device. Indeed, some voices in the industry, like Managing Editor Jez Corden, believe that such a device is not just likely but “absolutely necessary” for Microsoft’s foray into the handheld gaming sphere.
Currently, several top-tier gaming handhelds operate on Windows 11, despite the fact that the OS isn’t yet fully optimized for compact screens. However, this could change in the future, as evidenced by a Microsoft hackathon project that explored the implementation of a Gaming Shell UI suitable for handheld devices. Although it was merely a hackathon experiment, it did offer a glimpse into potential adaptations that could make Windows 11 more handheld-friendly.
While the vision of a Nintendo Switch officially running Windows 11 is virtually non-existent, we may very well witness the emergence of an Xbox handheld or other gaming consoles running a version of Windows 11 that’s adept at small screen integration.
