Can You Run Windows on Raspberry Pi? Here’s What Actually Works

The question comes up constantly in maker communities: can you actually run windows raspberry pi systems? The short answer is yes—but the full answer involves understanding what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth the effort.

After experimenting with various Windows installations on multiple Raspberry Pi models, I can give you the real-world breakdown. This isn’t Microsoft’s officially supported territory, but talented developers have made it possible to run windows 11 raspberry pi setups that actually function.

The Reality of Windows on Raspberry Pi

Let’s set expectations clearly before diving in. Running raspberry pi windows is possible, but it’s fundamentally different from your desktop experience.

What You’re Actually Installing

Aspect	Reality
Windows Version	ARM64 (not standard x86-64)
Official Support	None from Microsoft
Performance	Noticeably slower than Pi OS
Driver Support	Limited, community-developed
Use Case	Experimentation, learning, light tasks

Windows raspberry pi installations use the ARM64 version of Windows—the same architecture found in devices like the Surface Pro X. This isn’t the standard Windows you download from Microsoft’s website. The entire experience relies on community-built tools and custom firmware.

Why Would You Want This?

Despite limitations, there are legitimate reasons to pursue a windows 11 raspberry pi setup:

Reason	Explanation
Familiarity	You prefer Windows interface over Linux
ARM Development	Testing ARM64 Windows applications
Education	Learning about UEFI, ARM architecture, OS internals
Proof of Concept	Demonstrating Windows on unconventional hardware
Specific Software	Running Windows-only applications unavailable on Linux

Which Raspberry Pi Models Support Windows?

Not all Pi models handle Windows equally. Here’s what you can expect from each:

Pi Model	Windows Support	RAM	Practical Usability
Pi 5 (8GB)	Best option	8GB	Usable for light tasks
Pi 5 (4GB)	Good	4GB	Functional but slower
Pi 4 (8GB)	Solid	8GB	Reasonable performance
Pi 4 (4GB)	Acceptable	4GB	Slow but works
Pi 4 (2GB)	Marginal	2GB	Very sluggish
Pi 3 B+	Limited	1GB	Barely functional
Pi 5 (2GB/16GB)	Not working	–	Firmware incompatibility

Important note: At the time of writing, the Raspberry Pi 5 2GB and 16GB models have firmware changes that broke compatibility with the custom UEFI required for Windows. The 4GB and 8GB Pi 5 models work fine.

Hardware Requirements

For a functional windows raspberry pi experience, you need:

Component	Minimum	Recommended
Pi Model	Pi 4 (4GB)	Pi 5 (8GB)
Storage	32GB microSD	64GB+ USB SSD
Power Supply	Official 15W	Official 27W (Pi 5)
Network	USB Ethernet adapter	Required for setup
Display	HDMI monitor	Any HDMI display

Critical: Onboard WiFi has no Windows ARM drivers. You must use USB Ethernet or phone tethering for network connectivity.

Installation Methods: What Actually Works

Two primary methods exist for installing Windows on Raspberry Pi.

Method 1: WoR Flasher (Recommended)

Windows on Raspberry (WoR) Flasher automates the entire process. It downloads Windows, prepares drivers, and creates a bootable image.

WoR Flasher can run on:

• Windows PC
• Linux PC
• Raspberry Pi OS itself

The process takes 30-60 minutes depending on internet speed and storage device.

Method 2: Manual Installation

For advanced users, manual installation offers more control but requires:

• Downloading Windows ARM64 ISO separately
• Manually preparing UEFI firmware
• Configuring drivers after installation

Most users should stick with WoR Flasher.

Step-by-Step Windows 11 Raspberry Pi Installation

Here’s the practical process for getting Windows running on your Pi.

Prerequisites

1. Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB+) or Pi 5 (4GB/8GB)
2. USB SSD (strongly recommended over SD card)
3. Separate microSD card for Pi 5 UEFI firmware
4. USB keyboard and mouse
5. HDMI monitor
6. USB Ethernet adapter or phone with tethering

Installation Process

Step 1: Download WoR Flasher

Get WoR Flasher from the official repository. Run it on your computer or directly on Raspberry Pi OS.

Step 2: Select Windows Version

Choose Windows 11 ARM64. For Pi 4, specific older builds work more reliably than the latest versions. Build 22631.2715 is often recommended for Pi 4 stability.

Step 3: Choose Storage Device

Select your USB SSD or microSD card. USB SSD provides dramatically better performance.

Step 4: Flash the Image

WoR downloads Windows, prepares drivers, and creates the bootable image. This takes 15-45 minutes.

Step 5: Pi 5 Additional Step

For Raspberry Pi 5 only:

1. Download UEFI firmware from the WoR Pi 5 GitHub
2. Format a separate microSD card as FAT32
3. Copy UEFI files to the microSD
4. This microSD must remain in the Pi permanently

Step 6: First Boot

Insert storage into your Pi and power on. Initial boot takes 4-5 minutes on Pi 4, under 2 minutes on Pi 5.

Step 7: Complete Setup

Follow Windows setup prompts. When asked to connect to network, use your USB Ethernet adapter. To bypass Microsoft account requirement, press Shift+F10 and type OOBE\BYPASSNRO to enable local account creation.

Performance Expectations

Let’s be honest about what windows 11 raspberry pi performance actually looks like.

Real-World Performance Comparison

Task	Pi 5 (8GB)	Pi 4 (8GB)	Pi 4 (4GB)
Boot Time	~90 seconds	~4-5 minutes	~5+ minutes
Web Browsing	Usable (limited tabs)	Slow	Very slow
Office Apps	Functional	Sluggish	Barely usable
File Management	Reasonable	Acceptable	Slow
Heavy Software	Won’t run	Won’t run	Won’t run

What Works

• Basic web browsing (Edge runs reasonably)
• Microsoft Office (light use)
• File management
• Remote Desktop client
• Simple productivity tasks
• ARM-native Windows applications

What Doesn’t Work

Feature	Status
Onboard WiFi	No drivers
Bluetooth	No drivers
GPIO Access	Not exposed in Windows
HDMI Audio	Not working
Hardware acceleration	Limited
Gaming	Not practical
Video editing	Not practical

Alternative: Running Windows in a Virtual Machine

A newer approach avoids many bare-metal limitations: running Windows 11 inside a Linux virtual machine using BVM (Botspot Virtual Machine).

BVM Advantages

Advantage	Explanation
Network Works	Uses Linux networking stack
Better Integration	Access Pi OS alongside Windows
Easier Setup	Simpler installation process
GPU Acceleration	Better graphics performance
Dual Use	Switch between Pi OS and Windows

BVM runs Windows 11 ARM inside QEMU/KVM on Raspberry Pi OS 64-bit. Performance is surprisingly good on Pi 5 with 8GB RAM, and you don’t lose access to Pi OS features.

For many users, this virtual machine approach is more practical than bare-metal installation.

Useful Resources and Downloads

Official Tools

Resource	URL
WoR Project	worproject.com
WoR Flasher	github.com/Botspot/wor-flasher
Pi 5 UEFI Firmware	github.com/worproject/rpi5-uefi
BVM (Virtual Machine)	github.com/Botspot/bvm

Community Support

Platform	URL
WoR Discord	discord.gg/worproject
Raspberry Pi Forums	forums.raspberrypi.com
Reddit r/raspberry_pi	reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi

Additional Documentation

Resource	URL
Windows on ARM Docs	docs.microsoft.com
UUP Dump (Windows ISOs)	uupdump.net
Raspberry Pi Docs	raspberrypi.com/documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows on Raspberry Pi officially supported by Microsoft?

No. Microsoft does not officially support running Windows on Raspberry Pi. The windows raspberry pi experience relies entirely on community-developed tools, custom UEFI firmware, and unofficial driver packages. Microsoft’s Windows ARM64 is designed for devices like Surface Pro X, not single-board computers. Use this for experimentation and learning, not production systems.

Which Raspberry Pi model is best for Windows 11?

The Raspberry Pi 5 with 8GB RAM provides the best windows 11 raspberry pi experience. It offers faster boot times (under 2 minutes vs 4-5 minutes on Pi 4), better application responsiveness, and more usable multitasking. The 4GB Pi 5 and 8GB Pi 4 are acceptable alternatives. Avoid the Pi 4 2GB model—it’s painfully slow with Windows.

Why doesn’t WiFi work on Windows Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi’s onboard WiFi chip lacks Windows ARM drivers. No one has developed drivers for the Broadcom wireless hardware that works with Windows ARM64. You must use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, an Ethernet cable, or USB tethering from a smartphone for network connectivity. Some USB WiFi adapters with generic Windows ARM drivers may work, but results vary.

Can I run regular Windows programs on Raspberry Pi?

You can run Windows ARM64 applications natively, and Windows includes x86/x64 emulation for traditional programs. However, emulation adds significant overhead on already limited hardware. Simple applications work, but complex software (Photoshop, heavy IDEs, games) will either crash or run unacceptably slow. Stick to lightweight, ARM-native applications when possible.

Should I use Windows or Linux on my Raspberry Pi?

For most users, Raspberry Pi OS or another Linux distribution is the better choice. Linux runs faster, has full hardware support, and is designed for the Pi’s architecture. Windows raspberry pi setups are best for specific use cases: learning about ARM architecture, testing Windows ARM applications, or running Windows-only software unavailable on Linux. If you just want a functional computer, stick with Linux.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Windows on Raspberry Pi has predictable failure points. Here’s how to solve them.

Boot Problems

Issue	Cause	Solution
ACPI BIOS Error (Pi 5)	Wrong device selection in WoR	Select “Pi 2/3” not “Pi 4/400”
No boot at all	Corrupt flash	Reflash storage with WoR
Stuck on Windows logo	Slow storage	Use USB SSD, not SD card
Black screen after logo	HDMI handshake	Try different HDMI port/cable

Post-Installation Issues

Issue	Solution
No network	Use USB Ethernet adapter or phone tethering
No sound	Use 3.5mm audio jack, not HDMI
Freezing	Close unused apps, add virtual memory
Very slow performance	Upgrade to Pi 5 or use SSD storage

Licensing Considerations

Before installing Windows on your Raspberry Pi, understand the licensing situation.

Microsoft allows Windows ARM64 Insider Preview downloads for development and testing purposes. However, running Windows on unsupported hardware exists in a legal gray area. You’re not violating any laws, but you also won’t receive official support.

For personal experimentation and learning, this is generally accepted within the community. For commercial or production use, consider the implications carefully.

Final Verdict: Is Windows on Raspberry Pi Worth It?

Running windows raspberry pi systems is absolutely possible and genuinely impressive as a technical achievement. Seeing the Windows 11 Start menu on a board the size of a credit card is undeniably cool.

But let’s be practical: for everyday computing, Raspberry Pi OS runs circles around Windows on the same hardware. Windows on Pi makes sense for:

• Educational exploration
• ARM Windows development testing
• Running specific Windows-only applications
• Technical curiosity and tinkering

If you need a productive mini computer, install Raspberry Pi OS. If you want to experiment and don’t mind slower performance, give windows 11 raspberry pi a try. The BVM virtual machine approach offers a nice middle ground—run Windows when needed while keeping full Linux functionality.

The community has done remarkable work making this possible. Just go in with realistic expectations, and you might be surprised at what that little Pi can do.