Surface Duo Archives

Winsage

December 31, 2025

You can now try the Windows phone OS that Microsoft never released

Microsoft had plans for a custom operating system called Andromeda OS, designed for dual-screen devices, which was ultimately shelved. A leaked build of Andromeda OS has been ported to the original Surface Duo by developer Gustave Monce, allowing users to experience this unfinished software. Andromeda OS was based on Windows 10 and resembled Windows Phone, featuring Live Tiles and a Start Menu for dual displays. The project was abandoned in favor of Android in 2018 to avoid rebuilding a mobile app ecosystem. The ported build is not compatible with Surface Duo 2 and is available for download, but installation will erase existing Android data and may not be suitable for beginners. The device can run both Android and Windows, but booting into Windows requires a PC connection. The current version of Andromeda OS is unstable and incomplete, providing insight into Microsoft's previous mobile technology aspirations.

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Microsoft’s canceled dual-screen version of Windows Phone has leaked, and you can now try it on a Surface Duo

Andromeda OS, originally conceived by Microsoft in 2018 for a dual-screen phone, has been revived by developer Gustave Monce, who successfully ported a leaked build to the Surface Duo. The OS was intended to provide a new smartphone experience, featuring a home screen for note-taking and seamless navigation with gestures. Applications can open on one display and be dragged to another for multitasking. Monce has packaged the OS into a user-friendly FFU file for installation, although it is still unfinished and may have bugs. Installing Andromeda OS will erase existing Android data, but a dual-boot option is available with data loss risks. Monce has previously ported Windows 10 and 11 to the Surface Duo, highlighting Microsoft's dual-screen ambitions.

Winsage

December 25, 2025

Long-lost Windows 10 Andromeda firmware surfaces for first-gen Duo

The DuoWOA Project has released the Windows 10 Andromeda OS firmware and installation instructions for the first-generation Microsoft Surface Duo. This OS was originally designed for the device before Microsoft switched to Android. While users can now explore Andromeda OS, several functionalities, including sensors, cellular data, sleep mode, and brightness control, are not operational. Users may also experience elevated device temperatures while using Andromeda OS. The Surface Duo features two 5.6-inch AMOLED panels with a resolution of 1800×1350, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB of RAM, and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, along with a 3,577 mAh battery that supports 18W charging.

Winsage

August 14, 2025

I used Microsoft’s elusive ‘Surface Neo’ dual-screen Windows PC — its biggest-ever hardware failure

The Surface Neo was unveiled in October 2019 with a planned release for the holiday season of 2020 but was postponed indefinitely in 2021. It features a design that combines metal, glass, and polycarbonate, with two 9-inch LCD displays at a resolution of 1920x1440. The device is 5.6mm thick and supports multiple usage modes, including dual-screen and laptop configurations. It was designed to work with accessories like the Surface Slim Pen and a magnetic keyboard, although the keyboard has smaller keys and shallow key travel. The Surface Neo is powered by an Intel Lakefield chip, which struggles with performance and thermal throttling. The unfinished Windows 10X operating system showcased potential for multitasking but lacked a robust selection of applications. Ultimately, the Surface Neo represents a missed opportunity in the tech landscape.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

This is Microsoft’s canceled Windows-based Surface Duo — the dual-screen Windows Phone from 2018 that we never got

Recent images reveal that the Surface Duo was initially conceived as a Windows Phone codenamed Andromeda, featuring a custom-built operating system designed for its dual-screen form factor. The project was shelved in 2018 due to challenges faced during development. Prototypes from 2017 and 2018 show that Andromeda included features such as a back camera system, integrated wireless charging for the Surface Slim Pen, and a premium metal frame, which were not present in the final Surface Duo. Andromeda also had smaller hinges, which were later enlarged in the Surface Duo for added stiffness. The operating system for Andromeda was based on Windows Core OS, featuring a universal shell for dual-screen use, a home screen designed for note-taking, and a lock screen that functioned as an inking canvas.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

Windows 11 is getting a nifty trick for quickly mirroring your Android phone right from the Start menu

Microsoft is testing a new feature in the Phone Link app for Windows 11 that allows users to mirror their Android smartphone screens onto their Windows desktops with a single click. This feature is currently being tested with a select group of users and is integrated within the Phone Link panel in the Start menu. It works particularly well with Samsung Galaxy smartphones and is compatible with specific Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy models, Asus (ROG-branded), Honor, OnePlus, Oppo, Surface Duo, Vivo, and Xiaomi. The rollout is expected to coincide with a cumulative update for Windows 11 on June 10, although initial availability may be limited. The Phone Link panel began rolling out in April for Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 24H2, with wider access becoming available in May.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Introducing Windows on arm. And by arm, we mean wrist

Gustave Monce, a PhD student from Bordeaux, is working on a project to run Windows on the Google Pixel Watch 3, referred to as "Windows on ARM." Initially announced on April Fools' Day, Monce clarified that the project is serious and involves UEFI on the Pixel Watch 3 with the capability to boot Windows and Linux. He has previously developed DuoWOA, enabling Windows 11 to run on Microsoft's Surface Duo, and is also working on LumiaWOA for the Nokia Lumia 950 and 950XL. The smartwatch project utilizes an Arm64 build of Windows PE, allowing the Pixel Watch 3 to boot a WinPE image via UEFI, though the final installation steps remain undocumented. Monce describes the project as real and goofy, acknowledging its current limitations while inviting others to explore the code.

Winsage

March 30, 2025

Revisiting Microsoft’s biggest canceled devices — from revolutionary phones to dual-screen PCs

Microsoft has scrapped several notable hardware projects over the years, including: - Microsoft Courier (2010): A dual-screen device with a 5.5-inch FHD LCD display and 3D Touch technology, shelved in 2014 due to complexities and costs. - Surface Mini (2014): An 8-inch Windows RT tablet designed for touch and pen input, canceled shortly before its announcement due to a shift away from Windows RT. - Xbox Joule (2014): A fitness watch intended to sync with Microsoft Kinect, canceled in early 2014 before the launch of Microsoft Band. - Microsoft Band 3 (2016): A refined wearable with improved features, canceled as Microsoft exited the fitness wearables market. - Surface Andromeda (2018): A dual-screen phone designed for pen and digital ink capabilities, shelved in 2018, with its hardware repurposed for Surface Duo. - Surface Neo (2021): A dual-screen computer with two 9-inch screens, canceled in 2021 alongside the discontinuation of Windows 10X. - Surface Cronos (2022): A planned mid-range variant of Surface Duo, canceled as Microsoft shifted focus away from new phone hardware.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

The Surface you know and love (or hate) is dead — Microsoft’s Windows hardware enters a new era

The Surface division at Microsoft has experienced significant internal changes over the past 18 months, including the departure of Panos Panay and new leadership. This has led to a strategic refocusing of the Surface portfolio, moving away from experimental hardware designs to more conventional offerings aimed at a broader audience. The company has discontinued extravagant devices like the Surface Studio and Surface Duo, favoring products that resonate with business customers and general consumers. Last year, Microsoft introduced AI-powered Windows computers known as Copilot+ PCs, which emphasize continuity and refinement of established designs rather than radical innovations. The Copilot+ PC initiative has allowed Windows on Arm to demonstrate its viability, with Snapdragon chips competing effectively in the Windows ecosystem. Surface continues to play a crucial role in shaping the Windows ecosystem, but with a more cautious approach that prioritizes ecosystem health over creating new markets. Future form factor experimentation will likely be delegated to OEM partners, while Microsoft focuses on transitioning users to Windows 11 and promoting Copilot+ PCs. Stakeholders can expect a steady stream of sensible Surface devices and incremental updates in the near future.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Renegade Project turns your Arm-powered smartphone into a Windows 11 PC

Microsoft has stepped away from the mobile arena, but a community is exploring running Windows on smartphones. It is now possible to install Windows 11 on select modern smartphones with Arm architecture through the Renegade Project, which provides specialized UEFI firmware for devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs. This firmware allows users to switch between various operating systems, including Windows. The installation process is complex and requires specific tools and configurations. Supported devices include the Nokia Lumia 950, 950 XL, Surface Duo, and Duo 2. A Reddit user successfully installed Windows 11 on a Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro, experiencing some touchscreen glitches but overall smooth performance. However, drawbacks include poor battery life of about 2.5 hours, lack of fast-charging support, and overheating issues. Microsoft’s last mobile OS, Windows 10 Mobile, was released in 2015, with official support ending on January 14, 2020.