Running Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi: A Step-by-Step Guide for Installation and Performance Optimization

Sep 30, 2024

Introduction

Many users are already accustomed to the Windows interface, tools, and workflow. Running Windows on Raspberry Pi means users don't need to learn a new operating system, making it easier to transition from a traditional PC to a resource-constrained environment.

People who are familiar with Windows may find it more accessible compared to Linux-based systems, where the learning curve can be steeper for beginners.

Why running Windows on Raspberry Pi can be beneficial

√ Windows Software Support: Even though Raspberry Pi uses ARM architecture, running a version of Windows (such as Windows 10/11 ARM) gives access to some native Windows applications. This includes tools for development, productivity, and even media consumption.
√ Remote Management: Microsoft's tools, such as PowerShell and Remote Desktop, are more easily integrated with a Windows environment, allowing for straightforward remote control and administration.
√ Development and Prototyping: Running Windows on Raspberry Pi allows developers to experiment with ARM-based Windows applications and UWP projects in a low-cost environment, before transitioning to more powerful hardware if necessary.

Windows Versions Compatible with Raspberry Pi

No Official Microsoft Support for Windows ARM on Raspberry Pi

For running Windows 10 ARM or Windows 11 ARM, Raspberry Pi 4 o newer (8GB version) offers the best overall experience due to its larger RAM capacity.

Models like the Raspberry Pi 3 or earlier cannot run Windows ARM efficiently and are not recommended for this purpose, their older and less powerful hardware (e.g., a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and up to 1GB of RAM) makes them incapable of running full Windows 10/11 ARM in a usable way.

Installation Windows on Raspberry Pi - Steps by Steps

WoR-Flasher (Windows on Raspberry Flasher) is a tool designed to simplify the process of installing Windows ARM (specifically Windows 10/11 ARM) on a Raspberry Pi. It allows to create a bootable Windows image that runs on the Raspberry Pi ARM architecture, despite Windows not being officially supported on the device.

Key Features of WoR-Flasher

● WoR-Flasher automates the process of downloading, preparing, and flashing the Windows image onto an SD card or SSD. This significantly simplifies what would otherwise be a complicated and technical setup process.
● It allows users to select the desired version of Windows (Windows 10 or Windows 11) and even customize the build according to their needs. Advanced users can tweak settings to optimize performance.
● One of the key challenges of running Windows on Raspberry Pi is the need for compatible drivers. WoR-Flasher ensures that necessary drivers are downloaded and installed automatically, improving the experience and hardware compatibility.

 Installation

1.Download and Install WoR-Flasher
The tool can be downloaded from its GitHub repository. Once downloaded, we can install it on a Linux system (such as Raspberry Pi OS or Ubuntu).
git clone https://github.com/Botspot/wor-flasher
~/wor-flasher/install-wor-gui.sh

2.Choose Windows Version and Device

3.Select Storage

4.Flashing Process
WoR-Flasher will automatically download the required files, drivers, and image. It will then flash the Windows ARM image onto the selected storage medium. This process may take a while, depending on your internet speed and the performance of the Raspberry Pi.

5.Boot Windows:
Insert the SD card or SSD into your Raspberry Pi and boot up the device. Windows ARM should load, and after initial setup, we will have a working version of Windows on your Raspberry Pi.

Performance Considerations on Raspberry Pi

While performance may not match a full desktop, running Windows ARM offers a lightweight desktop experience for basic tasks like browsing, text editing, and media consumption—providing an affordable alternative to buying a full-fledged PC.

RAM
The Raspberry Pi 4 (up to 8GB) may still struggle with more resource-intensive Windows applications.

Go to Device Manager -> Raspberry Pi Configuration -> Advanced Configuration and change Limit RAM to 3 GB to Disabled.

CPU
 The ARM-based CPU on the Raspberry Pi cannot match the performance of x86 CPUs typically found in Windows PCs.

Storage
Running Windows from an SD card can be slower than expected. Using an external SSD can help improve performance

Optimizing performance

Overclocking options
MPORTANT: Overclocking increases heat output, so proper cooling is essential.

1.Edit the /boot/config.txt file and add the following lines:
arm_freq=2000
sdram_freq=600
over_voltage=6
gpu_freq=750

Use tools like vcgencmd measure_temp to check the temperature, and aim to keep it under 80°C to avoid thermal throttling

Tweaking settings to reduce Windows services
Disable or set the following services to Manual:

● Windows Search: Disables the indexing service that consumes CPU and I/O resources.
● Superfetch (SysMain): Prefetches apps into RAM but is not useful on systems with limited memory.
● Connected User Experiences and Telemetry: Disables telemetry data collection.
● Windows Update (optional): If we are not concerned about constant updates, we can disable Windows Update to prevent it from using bandwidth and CPU.

1.Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

2.Right-click on the service.
3.Choose Properties.
4.Change Startup type to Disabled or Manual.

Turn off Visual Effects
1.Right-click This PC and select Properties.
2.Click Advanced system settings > Settings under the Performance section.
3.In the Performance Options window, select Adjust for best performance or manually

disable specific effects like:
Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing
Show shadows under Windows
Enable transparency

Use Cases and Practical Applications

Office Productivity
Light word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations can be handled with apps like Microsoft Office or LibreOffice. While heavy-duty multitasking might be limited, basic document work is feasible.

Development and Coding
Use lightweight IDEs like Visual Studio Code for writing code, testing scripts, or developing UWP apps for IoT purposes. This setup is great for learning programming and development on a familiar platform.

Web Browsing
With browsers like Microsoft Edge (ARM-compatible), users can browse the internet, check email, and access web-based tools.

Challenges and Limitations

ARM Architecture Compatibility:
Not all Windows software is compatible with ARM architecture. Although Microsoft has made strides in supporting x86 emulation, many apps, especially legacy or specialized software, may either perform poorly or not work at all.

Driver Support:
Windows on ARM lacks the broad driver support available on traditional x86 Windows systems. Some hardware components and peripherals (e.g., webcams, certain Wi-Fi dongles, printers, etc.) may not work correctly or at all.

GPU Acceleration:
The Raspberry Pi’s Broadcom GPU has limited driver support on Windows ARM, leading to poor graphics performance for media playback and 3D applications.

Conclusion

Running Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi opens up exciting possibilities for those looking to explore a familiar operating system in a compact, low-cost environment. While the performance won’t match that of traditional PCs, with the right tweaks and optimizations, such as using an SSD and overclocking, it can offer a surprisingly capable platform for lightweight tasks like browsing, coding, and office work. However, users should remain aware of the limitations, especially with software compatibility and resource constraints. For tech enthusiasts and developers, this setup provides a great opportunity to experiment with ARM-based Windows systems in a portable, affordable way.