Turning your Arm-powered smartphone into a full-fledged Windows 11 PC might sound like science fiction, but the Renegade Project has made it a reality. Enthusiasts can now install Windows 11 on select Snapdragon-powered devices, transforming them into pocket-sized desktop machines—quirks, crashes, and all.
A Passionate Revival of Windows on Phones
Microsoft abandoned its mobile OS aspirations years ago, yet hobbyists refuse to let go of the idea. The Renegade Project has opened the door for resourceful users to repurpose their smartphones with UEFI firmware, enabling the installation of operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and Android.
This unconventional setup is not officially supported by Microsoft, but some argue it could enjoy a longer lifespan than the ill-fated Windows Phone. The irony isn’t lost on users, many of whom revel in the nostalgia of a desktop experience complete with occasional crashes and blue screens of death.
How the Renegade Project Works
The core of the Renegade Project lies in its custom UEFI firmware. Designed for Qualcomm Snapdragon system-on-chip (SoC) devices, this firmware acts as a boot manager, allowing users to install alternative operating systems. Here’s how it works:
- Custom UEFI Firmware: Acts as a foundation for booting alternative OSes.
- Supported Devices List: Helps users identify which devices are compatible.
- Installation Process: Involves complex steps like partitioning, deploying Windows images, and configuring drivers.
Developers emphasize that this process isn’t for the faint-hearted. It requires technical skills, patience, and a willingness to accept that things might not work perfectly.
Turning Phones into PCs: The Challenges
Reddit user “anh0l” managed to install Windows 11 on a Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro, describing the experience as both “surprisingly smooth” and “quirky.” The phone’s 120Hz display delivered excellent responsiveness, and connecting a Bluetooth mouse provided a desktop-like navigation experience. However, significant hurdles remain:
- Battery Life: The phone drained in just 2.5 hours under typical usage.
- Overheating Issues: The hardware struggled with cooling under the strain of running Windows.
- Touchscreen Glitches: Input wasn’t always reliable, making traditional desktop peripherals almost essential.
- Lack of Fast-Charging: Compatibility with fast-charging protocols is limited, compounding the battery issue.
Despite these drawbacks, the setup proved capable of running applications like the Dolphin GameCube emulator, opening doors for retro gaming enthusiasts.
A Glimpse at Compatible Devices
The Renegade Project has successfully enabled Windows 11 on several Arm-based devices. Confirmed supported models include:
- Nokia Lumia 950 and 950 XL
- Surface Duo and Duo 2
- Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro
- Other Snapdragon-powered smartphones
This variety ensures that enthusiasts with older or lesser-used hardware have an exciting new way to breathe life into their devices.
A Novel Opportunity for Retro Gaming and Experimentation
One unexpected use case is retro gaming. Devices running Windows 11 via the Renegade Project can handle tasks like emulating older gaming consoles. For instance, the Dolphin emulator for GameCube games works on setups like “anh0l’s” POCO X3 Pro, offering gamers a nostalgic escape.
The project also presents a playground for developers and tech enthusiasts eager to experiment with unconventional setups, explore hardware limits, or revisit a vision of Windows on mobile devices.
Practicality vs. Novelty: Is It Worth It?
While the concept of running Windows 11 on a smartphone is fascinating, it’s far from practical. The issues with power consumption, hardware compatibility, and overheating make it unsuitable for day-to-day use. Instead, this endeavor serves more as a tech experiment and proof of concept.
For users intrigued by the challenge or nostalgic for Windows on mobile, the Renegade Project offers a unique opportunity to blend the boundaries of desktop and mobile computing. However, mainstream adoption remains unlikely given the current limitations.
The Renegade Project exemplifies the creativity and resourcefulness of the tech community, keeping Microsoft’s mobile dreams alive in a way the company never could. Whether for retro gaming, experimentation, or just the sheer fun of it, turning your smartphone into a Windows 11 PC is a quirky but compelling reminder of what’s possible with a bit of ingenuity.
