How to Install Windows on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Many Xiaomi device owners, especially Pads and Mi Notebooks, are considering changing their operating system, often driven by the need to use specific software that is only available in Windows, or the desire to turn an Android tablet into a full-fledged working tool. However, the process of replacing the OS on devices of this brand has its own unique features that are critically important to consider.

First of all, it is important to understand that installing Windows on smartphones or tablets with ARM processors (Snapdragon, Helio) and on laptops with x86/x64 architecture (Intel, AMD) are two fundamentally different scenarios. In the first case, we are talking about the most complex emulation or porting of Windows on ARM, which often leads to the failure of many functions. In the second, it is a standard, although attention-consuming procedure for reinstallation of the system on the device, which was originally created to work with it.

This guide covers both scenarios, providing comprehensive information for users of all skill levels. We will discuss boot media preparation, BIOS/UEFI work, driver nuances and methods for solving common problems. Careful follow-up to instructions will help avoid turning the device into a brick and get the desired result.

⚠️ Warning: Installing an operating system is a risky procedure. Wrong actions can lead to a complete loss of warranty, deletion of all data and failure of the device.

Compatibility analysis and selection of installation method

The first and most important step is to define the architecture of your Xiaomi device, which is the very possibility of installing Windows and choosing a distribution. If you have a Mi Notebook or RedmiBook laptop, then there should be no problems, since they are based on standard Intel or AMD processors, in which case you can install any current version of Windows 10 or Windows 11.

That’s a game-changer if you’re trying to install a system on a tablet like the Xiaomi Pad 5 or Mi Pad 4. These devices run on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors with ARM architecture. Microsoft officially offers a version of Windows on ARM, but it requires specific drivers that manufacturers rarely release for Android tablets. There are port projects like the Renegade Project, but they’re often experimental.

• 🔍 Determine the exact model of your device’s processor through the app CPU-Z or specifications on the box.
• 💾 For architecture. x86/x64 (laptops) download the standard image ISO Microsoft.
• 📱 For architecture. ARM (Look for specialized builds of WoA (Windows on) ARM) developer forums 4PDA or XDA Developers.
• 🛠 Check the availability of drivers for your specific model of tablet under Windows, without them touchscreen and Wi-Fi may not earn.

It is important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for tablets. Every model range, and sometimes board revision, requires a customized approach. Windows installation on a Xiaomi tablet is only possible if there is a ready-made port with drivers working for your particular model. Trying to install the standard version of the system on an unsupported device will only lead to a cyclical reboot.

⚠️ Note: Do not try to install a regular version of Windows x64 processor ARM. The system will not start because the processor’s instruction set is incompatible.

Necessary tools and preparation of the loading media

For successful installation of the operating system, you will need a high-quality bootable medium. In the case of Xiaomi laptops, this is a classic USB flash drive with a capacity of at least 8 GB (for Windows 10) or 16 GB (for Windows 11). For tablets, the situation is more complicated: often you need to connect the keyboard and mouse via a USB-OTG hub, since the touchscreen in installation mode may not work without special drivers.

The process of creating a bootable flash drive for laptops is standard. You will need Rufus utility or the official Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. When writing an image, it is important to choose the right partition scheme. For modern Xiaomi devices with UEFI, you need a GPT scheme and a FAT32 file system. A mistaken choice of MBR will result in the BIOS simply not being seen by the installer.

For tablets that use the Fastboot boot method or special scripts, the preparation process looks different. Often you need to unclog the system image to the root of the flash drive or use special command-line tools to write partitions. In some cases, Xiaomi tablets require pre-unlock the bootloader through the official utility miunlock, which will delete all data from the device.

• 💻 Download the latest version of Rufus utility to create a bootable flash drive on PC.
• 🔓 For tablets, make sure the bootloader is unlocked, otherwise installing a third-party OS will not be possible.
• 🔌 Prepare. USB-powered hub if you plan to connect the keyboard, mouse and flash drive at the same time to the tablet.
• 📂 Format the flash drive into the file system FAT32 before writing the image to avoid reading errors.

Setting up the BIOS and launching the installation on Xiaomi laptops

After preparation of the carrier, you must enter the settings BIOS/UEFI Xiaomi laptop. To do this, when you turn on the device, you need to actively press the key. F2. If the standard boot does not occur, try to press the power button and key. F2 Simultaneously until the Mi logo appears. Some models may require you to log in to the download menu via the key. F12.

In the BIOS interface, the first thing you need to do is go to the Boot or Security tab, and you need to disable Secure Boot, because it can block untested bootloaders from running, although this is not always required for official Windows images. However, if you use modified versions or install the system on non-standard hardware, disabling this feature is often necessary.

Next, you need to prioritize the download #1 and choose yours. USB-flash drive (it can be displayed as UEFI: Name_of_USB). Save the settings by pressing the key F10 and confirm the action by choosing Yes. The laptop will restart and should begin the installation process of Windows.

If an error message or a black screen with a flashing cursor appears on the screen, check if the image is recorded correctly. A common problem with Xiaomi laptops is the need to switch SATA mode in the BIOS settings from RAID to AHCI if the installer does not see the hard drive.

Specifics of installing Windows on Xiaomi tablets

Installing Windows on Xiaomi tablets is a process for advanced users that requires precision. Unlike laptops, there is no classic BIOS available via a button. Loading is often done via Fastboot mode (minus and power is pressed) or through a special recovery menu if modified.

The main challenge is the drivers. Even if the system is installed, you may encounter a broken touchscreen, no sound, or no Wi-Fi connection. For models like the Mi Pad 4, there are ready-made projects that already have Qualcomm drivers embedded in the system image. For other models, finding the right build can take a long time.

The process often requires keyboard and mouse connectivity via OTG, as the touchscreen in the Windows Installer on Xiaomi tablets doesn’t usually work out of the box.You may also need to disable driver signature verification during the boot phase so that the system accepts untested hardware components.

• 📱 Make sure that the charge of the tablet is at least 60%, as the installation process is energy intensive.
• 🖥 Use the external keyboard and mouse through OTG-hub.
• 📂 Look for Windows builds specifically labeled for your tablet model (e.g., "Windows for Mi Pad 4").
• ⚙️ Be prepared for the fact that some features, such as cameras or sensors, may not work.

⚠️ Warning: When you install Windows on a tablet, you'll likely lose the ability to use Android without having to do a complicated firmware reflash.

Disk markup and system installation process

When the bootloader starts, you'll see a standard Windows installation window. After selecting the language and keyboard layout, click "Install." When you select the installation type, make sure to select "Selective: Windows Installation Only (for power users)" to manually manage partitions of the drive.

In the partition list, you'll see the structure of your Xiaomi drive. To clean up, you need to delete all the old partitions until you have one line left on "Unoccupied disk space." Be careful: this action will completely destroy all data. If you have a dual-drive laptop, make sure you don't delete the partitions of the system disk unless you plan to format it.

Set aside the space and press "Next" and the system automatically creates the necessary partitions for the bootloader and reserves space for your needs, you start copying files, at which point the laptop can reboot several times, do not remove the flash drive until the desktop appears.

Once the file copy is complete, the system will suggest you go through the initial setup: select a region, create an account, configure privacy settings. Xiaomi devices with new generation Wi-Fi modules may need to connect to the 2.4 GHz network if 5 GHz drivers are not already installed.

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If the Windows installer requires an internet connection to create an account, but the Wi-Fi drivers aren't yet standing, use the bypass command. Press Shift+F10, type ooobe\BypassNRO and press Enter. The device will restart and the "I don't have internet" button will appear.

Installation of drivers and final configuration

After you first log in to Windows on a Xiaomi device, you may notice that the screen resolution is wrong and the sound is missing. This is normal. The first thing you need to do is install the drivers. For Mi Notebooks, the best thing to do is use the official support site or the built-in Windows Update, which often finds the components itself.

For tablets, installing drivers is a manual process. You need to download the archive of drivers for your model (touchscreen, audio, touchpad, Wi-Fi) and install them in a certain order. Usually, you put the chipset first, then the video, then the periphery. After installing each driver, you may need to reboot.

Check the Device Manager (devmgmt.msc). If there are devices with a yellow exclamation point, then the driver is not up or is not up correctly, in which case, try running the installation on behalf of the administrator or using compatibility mode for old drivers.

• 🌐 Go to the settings. → Update and security → Windows Update and click “Check for Updates».
• 📥 Download the Driver Booster utility or analogue for automatically searching for missing drivers (with caution).
• 🎮 For gaming laptops Xiaomi be sure to download the drivers of the video card from the site NVIDIA or AMD, Do not use standard Microsoft products.
• 🔊 Check the audio through the sound control panel, as the speakers outputs are often confused on tablets.

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Successful driver installation is 90% of the success of the entire operation. Without the right touchscreen driver, the tablet becomes a useless screen, and without a Wi-Fi driver, the laptop loses its meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)