Tablets on the Windows operating system are widely popular due to their low price and good quality. However, Windows does not support many of the applications that are available on Android. Fortunately, there is one way to reflash windows to android.
Installing an android on a computer is quite simple, but flashing a Windows tablet to an android is another story. In this case, you need to use a more complex method, so the possible negative consequences are also high, up to a complete breakdown of the tablet.
We want to immediately draw your attention to the fact that this manual is for experienced users. You should not reflash Windows to Android if you recently bought a tablet. We advise you to contact a specialist to help you reflash Windows to Android.
On which tablets can I reflash Windows to Android?
In this manual, we will consider an example of flashing Windows to Android on devices with an Intel x86 processor, such as Microsoft Surface RT. However, the general approach is the same for all tablets.
I flashed windows to android on my Acer Iconia W700 tablet. It used to run on Windows 8 and looked more like an ultrabook than a tablet.
Although I used an Acer Iconia W700 tablet when I wrote this guide on how to flash windows to android, you can use it for other devices, such as Samsung XE700T and Microsoft Surface.
Why upgrade windows to android?
Each user uses the tablet for their own purposes. It is possible that the Windows operating system does not provide the functions that the user needs.
As you know, Android has more apps and games than Windows, so many people want to flash Windows to Android.
However, it should be noted that when you flash Windows to Android, you will only be able to install applications that have x86 support. Of course, there are quite a lot of them, but still you will not be able to download absolutely all applications from the Google Play Store.
What do you need to flash windows to android?
The preparation for this tutorial is very serious, especially if you have recently used your Windows tablet.
Let's start with the required hardware: a USB flash drive with at least 512 MB of free space; The flash drive must be formatted with the FAT file system. In addition, you will need a USB keyboard and a USB hub. I would recommend using a small hub, as powerful USB hubs take some time to initialize, which means the keyboard won't connect until you press the F12 key.
Also we will use the software. Download a program that will help you create an android installation image on a USB flash drive.
After that, go to the site and select the version of android that you want to install on your Windows tablet. Once the download is complete, make sure you unzip the file.
Preparing a USB flash drive
So, you have downloaded the android firmware, and now you need to burn it to a USB flash drive.
Flash Windows to Android
You can't just install a second Android operating system on a device that already runs Windows. To do this, you need to make some changes in the system settings.
Different versions of Android firmware have different instructions. I had this instruction:
- Do you want to leave Windows and use two operating systems? – Yes (Y).
- Do you want to change the amount of Windows memory to free up more memory? Yes (Y).
- Enter the new memory size in MB for Windows: chose the default option.
- Install GummiBoot bootloader? Yes (Y).
- Enter boot menu timeout (0 = no menu) (min=0, max=60, enter=5) 15
After you finish setting up, you will see the following message:
“Installation is configuring. Press Enter to continue."
If everything goes according to plan, then when you restart the tablet, you will see a menu in which you can select Android or Windows.
Run Android on Windows
Of course, as often happens, the first time I tried to run an android on my Windows tablet, I didn’t succeed.
When I rebooted the tablet, everything happened as usual - the Windows operating system was launched. There was no sign of a selection menu between windows or android. Then I discovered that if you hold down the F12 key while the tablet is loading, then the android will start.
Also, you may have noticed that Bluetooth does not work on some Windows devices, but when I launched the android on my tablet, I went to the settings, turned on Bluetooth and it worked.
You will also need to make some settings to fully use the android system, for example, install the GAPPS package, which includes applications such as Google Play and Gmail.
Now you know how to reflash windows to android. Please note that this may not be possible on all devices. Also, you need to be very careful when following the instructions so as not to break your tablet.
Not everyone remembers now that even before the release of the official version of Windows 10, anyone could easily get acquainted with the work of the preview version, simply by becoming a member of the Windows Insider beta testing program. A similar program is also valid for those who are eager to get acquainted with the work of a similar operating system that will function on portable class devices. To do this, owners just need to register in the Mobile Insider Preview. Next, we will talk in more detail about how to install Windows 10 on Android.
As the experience of last year's versions of this software showed, it is possible. The only thing that remains in doubt is whether it is necessary. Let's weigh the pros and cons of this choice.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let's talk first about the shortcomings of the new software, which were revealed somewhat more than the advantages.
- poor performance of the update function for older versions of Windows xp;
- complexity of compatibility of various drivers;
- lack of optimized games and applications that would be compatible with this software;
- rather high cost of this operating system;
- the system at the testing stage will collect various information about its owner and send them to the developer.
However, the new version for the Android tablet on Windows is not without a number of advantages, among which are the following:
- the presence of the "Start" button;
- free update for owners of previous versions of the program;
- high speed of work;
- built-in voice assistant and antivirus.
Installation process
Next, we will talk in more detail about the process of installing Windows Phone Mobile firmware on Android and try to better understand how to install Windows on Android. Before starting the installation process, the user needs to make sure that his portable gadget (smartphone or tablet) and personal computer are linked to one single Microsoft account. It is worth noting that even the developers themselves claim that this operating system can currently only be installed on Lumia smartphones. After that, you can start unpacking the archive and installing.
The first thing to do next is to sign up for the Windows Insider Program. You can do this completely free of charge. Just go to the site and accept the terms of the user agreement. Next, select "Install on phone" and wait for the download to start. By the way, before that, you will once again be warned about the danger of such manipulation, leading (in case of some kind of failure) to a complete loss of gadget performance.
After that, you should install a special application for installing Windows 10 Insider on a smartphone or tablet with Android. You can download it from the download page or from the store. After installation, go to the menu and select "Get Assemblies". Here you have to choose one of the ways to get the data. Next, confirm the installation of updates. Be careful when upgrading two operating systems. Think again whether you need to install version 10 that starts up or whether you should close this window. Remember that the downloaded program can be launched at any time.
- In the gadget settings, you need to find the option "Update phone" and check their availability. By the way, it would be best to reset the smartphone to factory settings, otherwise a whole range of different problems may arise.
- After the device detects updates, the user will only have to agree to install them. Please note that a tablet with two operating systems will be much slower.
In addition, if you run version 10 with Windows or two OSes of another brand, you can simply break the device. Only firmware can save such a gadget. We will talk about how to reflash or how to flash windows phone 8 on Android in one of the following articles.
Flashing the BIOS is not a laborious process and will take a little time. It is recommended to install a new version and only from the manufacturer if the previous version did not work correctly. Let's consider the question in the article: how to update the BIOS on a Windows 10 computer.
Checking the Firmware Version
There are several ways to check the current firmware version:
- By looking at the information on the motherboard itself or on the remaining packaging. Look for a similar inscription rev 1.0, rev 1.1, rev 1.3.
- On the Windows operating system. Open Run (Win+R) and type msinfo32
In the "System Information" window that opens, look at the "BIOS Version" item.
- In the BIOS menu itself (read the article:) in Main or at the bottom of the screen.
Where can I download?
BIOS installation files can be downloaded from the official websites of motherboard developers or laptop manufacturers (for example, Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer) in the "Download" section.
 | asus.com |
 | |
 | msi.com |
Update instructions
There are several ways to flash the BIOS.
On Windows
To update, download the required firmware to your computer. Then use the proprietary utility from the motherboard manufacturer:
If the downloaded file is executable (extension.exe), run it and wait for the installation to finish (the manufacturer writes about this in the instructions for the firmware, for example Dell).
Advice! The update is performed on all versions of Windows 10, 8, 7, XP.
In BIOS
Most modern boards support a way to upgrade the version in the BIOS environment. For firmware, download the installation file to a USB flash drive and connect to a PC. Use the motherboard utility to install the BIOS:
in DOS
To update the BIOS using the DOS environment, you need to create a bootable USB flash drive with DOS and the BIOS itself. In addition, you may need a utility for the upgrade process (Gigabites use the DOS Flash utility). The update must contain a .bat file (Update.bat or Autoexec.bat) to run the firmware in DOS. This method is becoming obsolete and is applied to older models of motherboards.
Have questions about the firmware of your computer? Ask about it in the comments or use .
Sometimes a user of the Android operating system needs to install Windows on a device. The reason may be a program that is distributed only on Windows, a desire to use Windows in mobile mode, or install games on your tablet that are not supported by a regular Android system. One way or another, demolishing one system and installing another is not an easy task and is suitable only for those who are well versed in computers and confident in their abilities.
The essence and features of installing Windows on an Android tablet
Installing Windows on an Android device is justified in the following cases:
- the most compelling reason is your job. For example, you are engaged in website design and you need the Adobe Dreamweaver application, which is most convenient to work with on Windows. The specifics of the work also suggests the use of programs with Windows, which have no analogues for Android. Yes, and productivity suffers: for example, you write articles for your site or to order, you are tired of switching layouts - but there is no Punto Switcher program for Android and is not expected;
- the tablet is quite productive: it makes sense to test Windows and compare which is better. Familiar programs that worked on a home or office PC (for example, Microsoft Office, which you will never exchange for OpenOffice), can be taken with you on any trip;
- The Windows platform has been intensively developed for 3D games since Windows 9x, while iOS and Android came out much later. Controlling the same Grand Turismo, World of Tanks or Warcraft, GTA and Call of Duty from the keyboard and mouse is a pleasure, gamers got used to it from an early age and now, two decades later, they are happy to “drive” the same series of these games and on an Android tablet, without limiting yourself to this operating system.
If you are not an adventurer on your own head, but, on the contrary, have good reasons to run Windows on a smartphone or tablet, use the tips below.
To use Windows on a tablet, it is not necessary to have its pre-installed version.
Video: Android tablet as a replacement for Windows
Windows requirements for the gadget
From ordinary PCs, Windows 8 and higher requires strong characteristics: RAM from 2 GB, a processor no worse than a dual-core one (core frequency not lower than 3 GHz), a video adapter with DirectX graphics acceleration of version 9.1.x or higher.
And on tablets and smartphones with Android, in addition, additional requirements are imposed:
- support for I386/ARM hardware and software architecture;
- processor manufactured by Transmeta, VIA, IDT, AMD. These firms are seriously developing in terms of cross-platform components;
- the presence of a flash drive or at least an SD card of 16 GB with an already recorded version of Windows 8 or 10;
- the presence of an externally powered USB-hub device, a keyboard and a mouse (the Windows setup program is controlled using a mouse and keyboard: it is not a fact that the sensor will work right away).
For example, the ZTE Racer smartphone (in Russia it was known as the branded “MTS-916”) had an ARM-11 processor. Given its low performance (600 MHz on the processor, 256 MB of internal and RAM each, support for SD cards up to 8 GB), it could run Windows 3.1, any version of MS-DOS with Norton Commander or Menuet OS (the latter takes very little space and used more for demonstration purposes, has a minimum of primitive pre-installed programs). The peak of sales of this smartphone in mobile communication stores came in 2012.
Practical Ways to Run Windows 8 Platform and Above on Android Devices
There are three ways to run Windows on Android gadgets:
- through the emulator;
- installing Windows as a second, non-primary OS;
- replacing Android with Windows.
Not all of them will work: porting third-party systems is a very troublesome business. Do not forget about the hardware and software design - for example, installing Windows on the iPhone will definitely not work. Unfortunately, in the world of gadgets, situations without options happen.
Emulating Windows with Android
In order to run Windows on Android, the QEMU emulator is suitable (it is also used to check installation flash drives - it allows you to check whether the launch will work without restarting Windows on a PC), aDOSbox or Bochs:
- QEMU has been discontinued - it only supports older versions of Windows (9x/2000). This application is also used in Windows on a PC to emulate the installation flash drive - this allows you to make sure that it works;
- the aDOSbox program also works with older versions of Windows and with MS-DOS, but you will definitely not have sound and Internet;
- Bochs is the most versatile, not tied to Windows versions. Running Windows 7 and above on Bochs is almost the same - thanks to the similarities of the latter.
Windows 8 or 10 can also be installed by converting the ISO image to the IMG format
Practical work with Windows 8 and higher on the Bochs emulator
To install Windows 8 or 10 on your tablet, do the following:
Remember - only expensive and high-performance tablets will work with Windows 8 and 10 without noticeable lag.
To run Windows 8 and above from an ISO image, you may need to convert it to an .img format image. There are a lot of programs for this:
- MagicISO;
- familiar to many UltraISO "installers";
- PowerISO;
- AnyToolISO;
- isobuster;
- gBurner;
- MagicDisc, etc.
To convert .iso to .img and run Windows from an emulator, follow these steps:
If you are frustrated by the poor performance of Windows from the emulator, it's time to try changing Android to Windows on your gadget.
Video: launching Windows through Bochs using Windows 7 as an example
Installing Windows 10 as a Second OS
And yet, emulation cannot be compared with a full-fledged porting of a "foreign" OS, a more complete launch is needed - so that Windows is "like at home" on the gadget. The work of two or three operating systems on the same mobile device is provided by Dual-/MultiBoot technology. This is the control of loading any of several software kernels - in this case, Windows and Android. The bottom line is that by installing a second OS (Windows), you will not disrupt the work of the first (Android). But, unlike emulation, this method is more risky - you need to replace the standard Android Recovery with some kind of Dual-Bootloader (MultiLoader) by flashing it. Naturally, a smartphone or tablet must meet the above hardware conditions.
In case of incompatibility or the slightest failure when replacing the Android Recovery console with Bootloader, you can damage the gadget, and only in the Android Shop (Windows Store) service center can you restore it. After all, this is not just downloading the “wrong” version of Android into the device, but replacing the kernel preloader, which requires the user to be extremely careful and confident in their knowledge.
In some tablets, DualBoot technology is already implemented, Windows, Android (and sometimes Ubuntu) are installed - you do not need to reflash the Bootloader. These gadgets are equipped with a processor from Intel. Such, for example, are the tablets of the Onda, Teclast and Cube brands (more than a dozen models are on sale today).
If you are confident in your abilities (and your device) and still decide to replace the tablet operating system with Windows, follow the instructions.
But if the UEFI firmware has boot from external media (flash drive, SD card reader, externally powered HDD/SSD drive, USB-microSD adapter with a microSD memory card), then Recovery is not so simple. Even if you connect an external keyboard using an externally powered microUSB/USB-Hub device to simultaneously charge the tablet, it is unlikely that the Recovery console will quickly respond to pressing the Del/F2/F4/F7 key.
Still, Recovery was originally made to reinstall firmware and cores within Android (replacing the "branded" version from a cellular operator, for example, MTS or Beeline, with a custom one like CyanogenMod), and not Windows. The most painless solution is to buy a tablet with two or three operating systems “on board” (or allowing it), for example, 3Q Qoo, Archos 9 or Chuwi HiBook. They already have the right processor for this.
To install Windows paired with Android, use a tablet with UEFI firmware, not Recovery. Otherwise, you simply cannot put Windows “on top” of Android. Barbaric ways to get a working Windows of any version "next to" Android will not lead to anything - the tablet will simply refuse to work until you return Android back. You should also not hope that you can easily replace Android Recovery with the Award/AMI/Phoenix BIOS that is on your old laptop - professional hackers are indispensable here, and this is the barbaric way.
It doesn't matter who promised you that Windows will work on all gadgets - mostly amateurs give such advice. For it to work, Microsoft, Google and manufacturers of tablets and smartphones must work closely and help each other in everything, and not fight in the market, as they are doing now, delimiting themselves programmatically from each other. For example, Windows opposes Android on the level of compatibility between kernels and other software.
Attempts to “completely” install Windows on an Android gadget are shaky and isolated attempts by enthusiasts that do not work on every instance and model of the gadget. It is hardly worth taking them for an immediate call to action on your part.
Video: how to install Windows on a tablet
Installing Windows 8 or 10 instead of Android
The complete replacement of Android with Windows is an even bigger task than just "putting" them side by side.
At the end of the installation, you will have a working Windows system - as the only one, without choosing from the OS boot list.
If, however, drive D: of the media remains free - this happens when everything personal is copied to the SD card - you can try the reverse task: return Android, but already as a second system, not the first. But this is an option for advanced users and programmers.
Replacing Android with Windows is no easy task. This work is greatly facilitated by support from the manufacturer at the processor level. If it is not there, it will take a lot of time and the help of specialists to install a correctly working version.
Let's talk about flashing Windows phone, this operating system itself is not so popular compared to android and ios, but the firmware process in it is much simpler and does not require special knowledge and skills. Perhaps even a beginner to cope with the firmware. Next, we will analyze the advantages of the firmware and the windows phone firmware process itself.
Behind he needs a flashing
First of all, flashing may be needed for some large-scale software problems, for example, if the smartphone freezes during the update and even the cherished combination “volume down button + lock” (+ camera button, possibly with a memory card removed from the smartphone ). In addition, flashing is useful if you upgraded to Windows 10 Technical Preview, but wanted to return to your native firmware due to the dampness of the update.
Before flashing, if the smartphone is functional, do not forget to back up important data so that you can then restore photos, videos, applications, achievements and settings, including Notification Center and desktop settings, on an already flashed device. You can check for backups and make a new one by going to "Settings" -> "Backup".
How to flash Windows Phone
Regardless of the model that needs to be reflashed, you will need a single program installed on your computer to upload the firmware to a smartphone on Windows Phone. You do not need to download any additional files. Everything you need for your model, the Windows Phone Recovery Tool will download itself. You will only need to click on a special button and wait a few minutes until the flashing process is completed.
- You can download the WP Recovery Tool from the Microsoft website at go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=522381. The program (at the time of writing) weighs just over two megabytes and is extremely easy to install.
- After starting, the utility will first check for new versions, and then will meet you with a window asking you to connect your smartphone to your computer. WP Recovery Tool does not work with all winphones, so if your model is not on the list of supported ones, you will immediately know about it as soon as you connect the device to your PC.
- If the phone is not detected, you can try clicking the appropriate link in the program window, and then the utility will try to find a solution.
- Also make sure that the smartphone has managed to install the necessary drivers on the computer. If the drivers are installed, but the smartphone is still not detected, restart it without disconnecting from the computer. Sometimes the reboot process provokes the installation of additional software.
In our case, the device was successfully identified:
- Click on the tile with the name of the identified phone. The program will scan the model for important data and start the process of downloading the latest firmware from the official servers.
- The size of the firmware can exceed gigabytes, so you may have to be patient. If the download suddenly stops half way, don't be discouraged, because when you reconnect to the Internet and even after restarting your computer, the download will continue from the same point where it stopped last time.
- In the future, if you need to reflash the vinfon again, you won’t have to download the firmware for it again either, because it was automatically saved in one of the folders on your PC.
- When the program finishes downloading the firmware, an active “Reinstall software” button will appear in its window. This means that the smartphone is ready for firmware. Make sure the USB connection is secure before clicking Reinstall Software.
The smartphone will turn off and the process of reinstalling the software will begin.
During the firmware process, it is forbidden to disconnect the smartphone from the computer, forcibly turn on the smartphone, or press any buttons on it. The WP Recovery Tool itself warns about this, among other things. The whole process will take a few minutes. At the end of the process, the phone will automatically turn on, but please note that the first start-up will take a little longer than usual.
Now you just have to activate and set up your smartphone, as you did when you bought it in the store. Connect to a WiFi network when your smartphone prompts you to do so and sign in with your Microsoft account. After that, the system will check if you have backups and, if there are any, it will offer to restore from them. Select an available copy, click "Next" and wait until the vinfon takes the form you saw it before flashing. You also have the right not to restore the backup, but to start working with the phone again.
