Microsoft may have stepped away from the mobile arena, but a dedicated community of enthusiasts continues to explore the possibilities of running Windows on smartphones. Surprisingly, it is now feasible to install a full version of Windows 11 on select devices, merging the desktop experience with the portability of a mobile phone, albeit with the occasional nostalgic blue screen of death.
Reviving Windows on Mobile Devices
A recent revelation from a Reddit user has confirmed that Windows 11 can be coaxed into running on certain modern smartphones equipped with Arm architecture. This feat is made possible by the Renegade Project, which has become a beacon for those eager to experience a complete Windows desktop environment on their mobile devices. Some enthusiasts humorously suggest that this unofficial method might enjoy a longer lifespan than Microsoft’s own Windows Phone platform ever did.
The Renegade Project offers a specialized UEFI firmware that enables the installation of custom operating systems on devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs. This firmware functions as a customizable boot manager, allowing users to seamlessly switch between various operating systems, including mainline Linux distributions, Android, and, notably, Windows on select Snapdragon devices.
However, the journey to install Windows 11 is not for the faint of heart. The process requires a series of intricate steps, including the use of various tools, disk partitioning, deploying Windows images, and configuring drivers. Fortunately, the project provides a comprehensive list of supported devices to assist users. Developers advise against using stripped-down versions of Windows, such as Tiny11, due to potential compatibility issues that could arise with both software and hardware.
One notable success story comes from Reddit user “anh0l,” who managed to install Windows 11 on a Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro smartphone. Despite encountering some touchscreen glitches, anh0l reported a surprisingly smooth experience on this three-year-old device. The phone’s impressive 120Hz refresh rate enhances responsiveness, and users can effectively navigate the operating system using Bluetooth mice.
The Renegade Project’s UEFI firmware has been confirmed to work on a variety of mobile devices, including the Nokia Lumia 950 and 950 XL, as well as the Surface Duo and Duo 2. However, anh0l highlighted some significant drawbacks of running Windows 11 on smartphone hardware. Users may face poor battery life, lasting only about 2.5 hours, a lack of support for fast-charging protocols, and overheating issues. Nevertheless, the setup proves capable of handling tasks such as running the Dolphin GameCube emulator, presenting an intriguing opportunity for retro gaming enthusiasts.
For context, Microsoft’s last foray into mobile operating systems, Windows 10 Mobile, was released in 2015. Official support for the OS ceased on January 14, 2020, marking the end of Microsoft’s ambitions in the mobile sector.
