How to Install Windows 10 on a Raspberry Pi 4

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Yes, you can get a working Windows 10 desktop running on a Raspberry Pi 4

Windows 10 on Raspberry Pi 4 cover
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Raspberry Pi is commonly associated with Linux operating systems such as Raspberry PI OS. But what about running Windows 10 on your Raspberry Pi? Officially, Microsoft’s only operating system for the Pi is an old version of Windows 10 IoT Core, which just lets you execute Visual Studio code on the computer but doesn’t work as a standalone OS with a GUI (in other words, no “windows”). However, the lack of support from Microsoft hasn’t stopped some ambitious developers from finding a way to run a full desktop version of Windows 10 on Raspberry Pi. 

In 2019, we tried installing a hacked version of Windows 10 on a Raspberry Pi 3 and it ran, but it was extremely painful to use. Recent developments have now made it possible to run Windows 10 somewhat-competently on a Raspberry Pi 4, at least as a proof-of-concept We’ll show you how to install Windows 10 on your Raspberry Pi below.

Les Pounder
Les Pounder
Associate Editor

Les Pounder is an associate editor at Tom's Hardware. He is a creative technologist and for seven years has created projects to educate and inspire minds both young and old. He has worked with the Raspberry Pi Foundation to write and deliver their teacher training program "Picademy".

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Erisa
    Visual Studio Code will work fine if you use the ARM64 installer for it. I used VSCode Insider but I hear its available on stable now, perhaps it wasn't when you tested?
    Performance of vscode is around the same as the rest of the OS, it works and is about equal to what you'd expect on a low end PC. When combined with a remote development environment (SSH or Codespaces) it provides a suitable development experience.
    Reply
  • scodd
    Erisa said:
    Visual Studio Code will work fine if you use the ARM64 installer for it. I used VSCode Insider but I hear its available on stable now, perhaps it wasn't when you tested?
    Performance of vscode is around the same as the rest of the OS, it works and is about equal to what you'd expect on a low end PC. When combined with a remote development environment (SSH or Codespaces) it provides a suitable development experience.

    Can you run powershell ISE, authenticate and hit SPO and Azure?
    Reply
  • misanthropic-gamer
    Guys, power-fail. LOL I love RPi... but it ain't nevah going to run Win10, efficiently. I can barely run a thinned-downed desktop, on a Debian kernel. Interesting, but not useful.
    Reply
  • 2schnauzers
    Hi. Great tutorial. One question, I keep getting prompted for Activation but it doesn't seem to like a valid Pro or Ent product key.
    BTW using a high speed flash card and performance is pretty good (considering).

    Are there plans to get the onboard bluetooth and ethernet drivers going?
    Reply
  • Timthe3nchanter
    Hey all, I've been looking on the discord and it looks like the Ram Fix isn't needed anymore. I did a search and it all comes up with "don't need, no longer needed" so, there has been an update that negates the need for it. Just a little update from the FNG.
    Reply