The End of an Era: Windows Phone Support Ceases
In December 2019, Microsoft officially terminated support for Windows 10 Phone, signaling the demise of its ambitious venture into mobile operating systems. The company had high hopes for the Lumia line and Windows Phones but ultimately faltered in competing against giants like Android and iOS.
Exploring Windows 11 on Mobile: Project Renegade
As a result, Windows 11 Phone never fully materialized as a commercially viable product, existing only in theoretical designs. Nevertheless, an unofficial method allows adventurous users to experience Windows 11 on mobile devices, although the performance may not be flawless. This initiative, known as Project Renegade, enables installation on Qualcomm Snapdragon phones and other compatible devices.
A User’s Experience with Windows 11 on Mobile
A Reddit user by the name of anh0l shared their journey of installing Windows 11 on their older smartphone. They stated:
For a couple days I wanted to install Windows 11 on my old phone because, why not? I had experience running a Linux distro (Postmarket OS) on another phone, so I thought it wouldn’t be much more difficult. I was mistaken; it took me around 8 hours of searching for tools and files compatible with my device (Mi POCO X3 Pro). After three attempts, I finally managed to get it running pretty smoothly. The only issue is that the touchscreen is somewhat messed up and inverted by half…
Cost-Effective Possibilities
Interestingly, anh0l’s success was achieved on the Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro, a budget-friendly device priced around $250 to $300. This demonstrates that even lower-end smartphones have the potential to run Windows 11, providing tech enthusiasts with intriguing possibilities.
How Project Renegade Works
Project Renegade is based on EDK2-based UEFI firmware, which has been thoroughly tested across various devices, including the MI POCO X3 Pro. Notably, it also supports Nokia Lumia models 950 and 950 XL, as well as the Surface Duo and Duo 2. A comprehensive list of compatible devices can be found on the project’s official website here.
Cautionary Advice for Potential Users
It is worth noting that the developer recommends avoiding lightweight versions of Windows 11, as these stripped-down iterations may lead to compatibility issues and a less satisfying user experience.
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