How to Install Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi Devices

2025-11-17 | By Rinme Tom

License: General Public License Software Raspberry Pi SBC

Project Overview

This project demonstrates how to install Windows 11 (ARM64) on Raspberry Pi single-board computers (specifically Pi 4, Pi 5, and Pi 3) using the Windows on Raspberry (WoR) toolset. The goal is to turn a Raspberry Pi into a compact Windows PC — a proof-of-concept that is highly educational and technically challenging, though not as performant as using Pi OS.

Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi

Motivation & Purpose

Familiar Interface: Many users are more comfortable with Windows UI (Start Menu, File Explorer, etc.), so this lets them run a “mini Windows PC” using Pi hardware.
Access to ARM-native Windows Software: Some Windows applications (Office, Edge, lightweight dev tools) run on ARM64, enabling productivity on a low-cost board.
Learning Experience: The project deep-dives into ARM architecture, UEFI firmware, and OS-boot mechanisms — great for students and makers who want to understand how operating systems work at a lower level.
Budget Testing Platform: Raspberry Pi is much cheaper than ARM-based laptops, making it a practical testbed for ARM Windows applications.
Showpiece / Demo: Running Windows 11 on a Pi makes for a compelling tech demonstration — good for makers, hobbyists, and educational showcases.

Install windows 11 on raspberry pi

Key Components & Requirements

Hardware
- Raspberry Pi (recommended: Pi 4 with 4–8 GB RAM; Pi 5 with 4–8 GB RAM)
- Storage:
  - For Pi 4 / Pi 3: microSD card (32 GB or more) For Pi 5: two storage devices — a small microSD card (~1 GB) for UEFI firmware + an external USB SSD (64 GB+) to run Windows smoothly.
- Peripherals: Keyboard, mouse, HDMI display
- Network: Since onboard Wi-Fi may lack Windows ARM drivers, a USB-Ethernet adapter or phone tethering is recommended.
- A Windows PC: to prepare (download, flash) the Windows image
Software
- WoR Imager (Windows on Raspberry) — to flash Windows 11 ARM to Pi’s storage.
- Windows 11 (ARM64) image — obtained via WoR’s ESD Image Downloader.
- For Pi 5: UEFI firmware for Raspberry Pi 5 (from GitHub) to enable booting.

Wor image

Implementation Steps

Here’s a high-level breakdown of the installation process:

Download Windows 11 ARM64 Image
- Use the WoR ESD Image Downloader. Choose ARM64 architecture, pick a Windows edition (Home or Pro), and a language.
- Download the ESD file.
Prepare the Storage with WoR Imager
- Run the WoR Imager tool with administrator privileges.
- Select your storage device (microSD or SSD).
- Choose your Raspberry Pi model in WoR: for Pi 4, select “Pi 4 / 400”; for Pi 5, choose “Pi 2/3” in the tool (this avoids boot errors).
- Point WoR Imager to the ESD file, select the Windows edition, and click “Install.” WoR will partition the device, set up UEFI, and flash Windows.
- The flashing process takes ~15–45 minutes, depending on storage speed.
(For Pi 5) Configure UEFI Firmware
- Download UEFI firmware for Pi 5 from its official GitHub.
- Format a spare microSD card as FAT32 and copy the UEFI firmware files onto it.
- Insert this microSD into Pi 5 along with the SSD (where Windows is installed). On boot, the UEFI firmware will initialize and pass control to Windows.
- Important: The microSD card with UEFI must remain inserted for Pi 5 to boot Windows.
Update Pi Bootloader (Optional but Recommended for Pi 4 / 3)
- On your Windows PC, use the Raspberry Pi Imager tool → choose Misc utility images → Bootloader.
- Select boot mode: either SD card or USB (if you’re using SSD).
- Write and flash the bootloader to a microSD card.
- Boot your Pi with this card to update its bootloader firmware, which makes future boots more stable.
Boot into Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi
- Insert the prepared storage (for Pi 4/3: just the microSD or SSD; for Pi 5: both UEFI microSD + Windows SSD).
- Power on, and you should see the WoR splash / UEFI → Windows installer.
- Go through region / keyboard setup. To bypass the network requirement to create a local account, press Shift + F10 → in the Command Prompt, type OOBE\BYPASSNRO → Enter.
- Complete the Windows setup (privacy settings, account, etc.).
- After reboot, you should reach Windows 11 desktop on Raspberry Pi.

testing

Limitations & Challenges

While this project is very cool, it comes with several trade-offs:

Performance constraints: Windows 11 on Pi is not as responsive as on a regular PC. Heavier apps may lag or crash.
Networking: Onboard Wi-Fi often doesn’t work because of missing Windows ARM drivers — USB-Ethernet adapters or tethering are needed.
Hardware access restrictions: GPIO pins (used for electronics projects) aren’t accessible via Windows as they are in Linux.
Audio limitations: HDMI audio may not work; a 3.5 mm jack workaround might be needed.
Pi 5-specific issues: Requires UEFI workaround; the microSD used for UEFI cannot be removed.
Boot time: On Pi 4, first boot could take several minutes; Pi 5 is faster, but still slower than a typical PC.

Networking connecting

Comparison & Performance Insights

Raspberry Pi 4 (2 GB): Workable for light tasks but very limited; the author does not recommend it for daily use.
Raspberry Pi 4 (4 GB or 8 GB): Much better– more stable, usable for light browsing or Office apps.
Raspberry Pi 5 (8 GB): The best performance observed — faster boot, smoother multitasking, more usable for real tasks

Contributions & Learning Outcomes

By completing this project, participants will:

Learn how to use the WoR toolchain to flash Windows ARM images onto non-standard hardware.
Understand UEFI firmware and how it helps boot Windows on devices not originally supported.
Gain insights into ARM architecture, bootloaders, and how Windows handles ARM-based hardware.
Experience the trade-offs between performance, compatibility, and convenience on single-board computers.
Be able to showcase a working Windows 11 PC built from a Raspberry Pi, which is impressive for demonstrations or teaching.

This windows 11 on raspberry pi is not primarily about building a “useful product,” but about exploration, learning, and experimentation. Installing Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi turns a tiny board into a fully GUI-based Windows machine — which is both technically challenging and fun. It’s ideal for developers, students, and hobbyists who want to understand OS internals, test ARM software, or build a unique demo system.