Install Windows on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide from Preparation to Configurement

Installing Windows on Xiaomi is a task that seems fantastic to most users, but quite feasible for enthusiasts.Smartphones and tablets Xiaomi based on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (especially the series of series of Snapdragon processors). 8xx) They can run a full-fledged desktop OS thanks to the WoA (Windows on) project. ARM). However, the process requires deep technical knowledge, patience and an understanding of the risks, from loss of warranty to the device’s “brick.

In this article, we will discuss all stages of Windows installation. 10/11 Xiaomi – from model compatibility check to final driver tuning and solving typical problems. you will learn which devices are officially supported (for example, Xiaomi Mi). 6, POCO F1), We'll also be looking at the pitfalls, which will require a manual firmware adaptation. UEFI-The loader may not start, how to get around the error 0xc0000001 What to do if the touch screen stops working after installation.

Warning: the procedure is not for beginners. If you have never worked with fastboot, unlocked the bootloader and compiled the kernels, it is better to stop at this paragraph. x86/x64-applications (through emulation) or native software for ARM64.

Xiaomi Compatible Models: What Is Your Device Capable of?

Not all Xiaomi devices can run Windows.

• 🔹 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon only (series) 6xx/7xx/8xx). Mediatek and other chips are not supported.
• 🔹 Architecture: Support is required ARM64 (All modern smartphones have it).
• 🔹 bootloader: must be unlocked (officially or through exploits).
• 🔹 Memory: Minimum 64GB (Windows takes up) ~20GB, but better 128GB+ comfortable.

Officially tested models (according to the WoA community):

For unofficial models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro will be required:

• 🛠️ Manual porting UEFI-scaling-up.
• 🔧 Compilation of the kernel with support ACPI (standard DTB Android).
• 🖥️ Setting up DTS-Files for the Correct Work of Iron.

⚠️ Note: Install Windows on Xiaomi Mi 11 and newer (with Snapdragon) 888/8 Gen 1) It is possible, but requires bypassing the Anti-Rollback protections. Wrong actions will lead to an irreparable brik (even through the use of the anti-Rollback system). EDL).

2. Device preparation: unlocking and backup

Before installing Windows, you need to follow 3 critical steps:

1. Unlock the bootloader (bootloader).
2. Make a full backup of the current firmware.
3. Prepare. UEFI-model.

Let’s look at each stage in detail.

Unlocking of the loader

The official method through the Mi Unlock Tool only works for devices associated with the Mi Account.

1. Connect the device to the account in Settings → Mi Account.
2. Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.
4. Connect your smartphone in fastboot mode (hold Power). + Vol− switch-on).
5. Run unlock in the program (it may take 7-30 days to wait).

For devices without official support (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro) you will need to use exploits:

• 🔓 Deep Testing: the method through the test menu (works on some models of 2019-2020.).
• 🔓 EDL Mode: Unlock with Emergency Download Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account or boxing).

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings. If you used Mi Cloud for backup, restore data before you start installing Windows - after switching to another OS, this will not be possible.

Backup of firmware

Use fastboot to create a full copy of the userdata and system partition:

fastboot flash backup_userdata backup_userdata.img


fastboot flash backup_system backup_system.img

For the backup. EFS (IMEI, serial numbers) use:

adb shell


su




dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/modemst1 of=/sdcard/modemst1.bin




dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/modemst2 of=/sdcard/modemst2.bin

I made a backup. EFS (IMEI)

Save data from internal memory

Unlocked the loader.

Ride. UEFI-firmware

Prepared. OTG-cable USB-hub-->

Installation UEFI and Windows preparation

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface replaces the standard Android bootloader and allows you to boot Windows. EDK2 supportive ACPI.

Installation process:

1. Download. UEFI-Image of your model with GitHub WOA-Project.
2. Unpack the archive and find the file. uefi.img.
3. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Boot uefi.img fastboot reboot

If the screen is still black after the reboot:

• 🔄 Try another one. UEFI-Image (e.g. from Renegade Project).
• 🔧 Check kernel compatibility: Some models require a patched 4.19 core+.
• 🖥️ Connect the device to the monitor through USB-C → HDMI — The display may be working but not on the phone.

For devices with Snapdragon 855/865 (for example, POCO F2 Pro) additional adjustment may be required DTB (Device Tree Blob. Instructions:

After successful download UEFI You'll see a familiar blue screen with the Windows logo. 0xc0000225 — The problem is incompatibility of storage drivers (you need to reassemble) UEFI with the right NVMe controller).

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If UEFI If it does not load, try to disable Secure Boot in the bootloader settings (if available).+ menu-entry.

4. Windows Installation: A Step-by-Step Process

Now that UEFI It works, you can start installing Windows. You'll need to:

• 🖥️ USB-OTG port-house USB-A Ethernet (for keyboard, mouse and network).
• 💾 Flash drive. ≥16GB with Windows on ARM (download the image from UUP Dump).
• 🔌 Charger (installation process discharges battery quickly).

Instructions:

1. Connect. OTG-Hub to smartphone and insert a flash drive with Windows.
2. On the menu. UEFI select the download from USB (Boot Manager → EFI USB Device).
3. Follow the standard Windows installer, but in the disk selection phase: Remove all existing partitions (they are formatted for the same format). ext4). Create a new section NTFS free-space.

Don't reboot right away.

Typical errors and decisions:

⚠️ Warning: If the Windows installer is hanging out at the "Device Preparation" stage" (>30 minutes), which means that UEFI It doesn't pass the control correctly. Solution: re-follow. UEFI parameterized --skip-validation: fastboot flash boot uefi.img --skip-validation

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Use only Windows images on ARM (not x86!). Installation x86-version ARM-The processor is only possible through emulation (QEMU), Which will give you extremely low productivity.

5. Driver customization and optimization

Once you install Windows, you will manually configure the drivers, as only the base devices (such as the processor) will automatically be identified.

• 🔹 Display: Adreno (for graphics) and Touch Panel (for sensor).
• 🔹 Network: Qualcomm Ethernet (for wired connection) and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
• 🔹 Sound: WCD9335 or similar codec.
• 🔹 Storage: UFShc or NVMe (depending on the model).

Where to get drivers:

1. WOA-Project DriverRepo Renegade Project

Hardware ID

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Find a device with an exclamation mark.
3. Right click → Properties → Information → Equipment ID.
4. Copy a line of view PCI\VEN_17CB&DEV_1101 and search for the driver on DevID.info.

To install drivers manually use Dism:

Dism /Image:C:\ /Add-Driver /Driver:D:\drivers\adreno.inf

Optimizing productivity:

• 🔧 Disable Windows Defender (it loads the processor heavily).
• 🔧 Install. ARM64-Software versions (such as Firefox) ARM64, 7-Zip ARM64).
• 🔧 Use the Power Plan to “High Performance".
• 🔧 Turn off visual effects: Control panel → System system → Additional parameters → Speed of action.

To launch x86/x64-Applications to install an emulator:

• 🖥️ ExaGear (paid but stable).
• 🖥️ QEMU (free-but-slow).

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To speed up Windows on Xiaomi, disable background processes via msconfig and leave only critical services (e.g., critical services, RPC, Plug and Play).

6. Solving typical problems

Even after a successful installation, you may encounter bugs.

The touch screen is not working.

Reasons:

• There is no Touch Panel driver (usually FTxxx or Synaptics).
• Wrong calibration in UEFI.

Decisions:

1. Install the driver manually (download from GitHub).
2. Calibrate the screen through the Control Panel → Equipment → Screen calibration.
3. If the sensor is mirrored, edit the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wisp\Touch "FlipX"=dword:00000001

6.2 No sound.

The problem is related to the lack of a driver for an audio codec (for example, the driver is not available, WCD9335). Decision:

1. Download the driver from the repository WOA.
2. Install through Device Manager (select the driver manually).
3. If the sound is distorted, try turning off Audio Enhancements in the audio settings.

Rapid battery discharge

Windows is not optimized for mobile processors, so the battery will run out in 2-4 hours.

• 🔋 Install Battery Saver for maximum savings.
• 🔋 Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if they are not in use.
• 🔋 Lower the screen brightness to 30-40%.
• 🔋 Use ThrottleStop to limit processor frequency (up to 1.5–2.0 GHz).

The camera is not working.

Most cameras on Xiaomi use proprietary Qualcomm Camera drivers that are not ported to Windows.

• 📷 Connect the outside. USB-camera (works through the OTG).
• 📷 Use an Android emulator (BlueStacks or Genymotion) to run a standard camera app.
• 📷 For POCO F1 There's an experimental driver here.

7. Alternative ways: Windows without replacing Android

If replacing Android with Windows seems too risky, consider the alternatives:

7.1. Dual Boot (Android + Windows)

Projects like WoA Helper let you install Windows next to Android by choosing the OS when you boot.

1. Install WoA Helper from GitHub.
2. Allocate space under Windows in the application settings (minimum 30 GB).
3. Follow the installation wizard (similar to the standard process, but with Android saved).

Advantages:

• ✅ There is no risk of losing Android.
• ✅ Quick switching between OS.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It takes up a lot of disk space.
• ❌ Possible conflicts with sections.

7.2. Emulation of Windows in Android

Apps like ExaGear or QEMU It allows you to run Windows programs without replacing the OS:

• 🐢 Performance is extremely low (even on the Snapdragon 865).
• 🖥️ No DirectX and OpenGL support.
• 🔧 Requires manual setting of the virtual machine.

Remote access to PCs

If the goal is to work with Windows programs, it is easier to use:

• 💻 Microsoft Remote Desktop (to connect to your home PC).
• 💻 Rainway or Moonlight (for streaming games).
• 💻 VirtualHere (for remote use) USB-device).

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Dual Boot is the best option for most users, combining the flexibility of Windows with the reliability of Android without having to sacrifice one of the systems.

8.Conclusions: Should Windows be installed on Xiaomi?

Installing Windows on Xiaomi is an experiment, not a ready-made solution for everyday use.

• ✅ Full-fledged desktop OS on a smartphone.
• ✅ Support ARM64-applications (e.g. Photoshop) ARM, Visual Studio Code).
• ✅ The ability to connect the device to the monitor and use as a mini PC.

But you'll have to accept:

• ❌ Lack of drivers for part of iron (camera, sensors).
• ❌ Fast battery discharge (2-4 hours of active use).
• ❌ Low productivity in the x86-emulation.
• ❌ Risk of the device "brick" in case of installation errors.

Who's the right person for:

• 🔧 Enthusiasts who want to experiment with WoA.
• 🖥️ Developers testing ARM64-soft-soft.
• 🎮 Gamers looking to run xCloud or GeForce NOW mobile.

For whom it is not:

• 📱 Ordinary users who need a stable smartphone.
• 📸 Those who actively use the camera or NFC.
• 🔋 Those who appreciate long-term autonomous work.

If you do, follow the instructions carefully, backup and be ready to manually configure. For most tasks (office, internet, multimedia), Android on Xiaomi does as well, and often better, than Windows on Windows. ARM.

FAQ: Frequent questions