What do you want to know
- Developer Gustave Monce released the initial package to install Windows 11 on Surface Duo 2.
- Monce has already released tools to get Windows 11 on the original Surface Duo, which now mostly works.
- The release is still incredibly early as only one core of the SoC is running and there is no touch support for dual displays yet.
- The complete project is visible on GitHub
You have to give it up to those bravely tinkering with expensive hardware to run software it wasn’t intended for. This is the case of the Microsoft Surface Duo 2, its dual-screen Android smartphone, which receives some first tools to allow it to run the full Windows 11 operating system.
Gustave Monce, also known as @gus33000 on Twitterhas released version 2211.16 of its Surface Duo 2 drivers. The whole project is posted on GitHub, including instructions on how to get everything working – it’s not for the faint-hearted.
This project is one of the few Monce has worked on with the Surface Duo series. Since both devices run Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, it is possible to run Windows 11 on ARM. The problem arises with all other hardware such as sensors, cameras, touchscreens, cellular, GPS, etc., which require drivers and lots of testing.
Monce notes that this is only version 1 of the project, and while it’s still too early, “there are some cool things working as well.” On the project’s GitHub status page, you can see that the left display panel, thermal sensors, lid hall sensor, modern standby, USB C, buttons, and charger are all working. While the processor is working (obviously), only one core of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 is eight short.
As for what’s wrong, well, that’s a lot. Cellular (calls, data, SMS, LTE), GPS, touch, pen digitizer, Wi-Fi, vibration motor, Bluetooth, camera, NFC, etc. are all on the list. As such, Windows 11 on Surface Duo 2 doesn’t even come close to being a usable operating system for everyday use.
Monce also points out some serious installation caveats that you should be aware of:
- You will need to back up your data, as the installation process erases it.
- You will lose NFC payments with an unlocked bootloader.
- It’s not really ready to be used outdoors (no contact, etc.).
- No warranty of any kind.
This last part is crucial because if you get your Surface Duo 2 in an unusable state, there’s little recourse for official support. That said, Monce is more than willing to help anyone who is having trouble via his Telegram or Twitter channel.
Getting Windows 11 on Surface Duo 2 is a little ironic. As we noted in the story of the original Surface Duo, Microsoft intended for these devices to run a new version of Windows internally called “Andromeda OS”. This project, however, fell apart due to missed milestones. But instead of abandoning all hardware development, Microsoft decided to put Android 11 on it with Google’s blessing.
While Surface Duo was never intended to run full Windows 11 like this project, it’s still a fun thing to see running, even at this early stage. Questions remain as to whether such a device would be practical for everyday use due to the small screens, but it shows you just how versatile Windows can be.
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