A Surface Duo running Windows? This developer is working on it.

Surface Duo Hero 2020
Surface Duo Hero 2020 (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • A developer is attempting to get Windows running on a Surface Duo in a "usable" state.
  • Some elements of Windows have been forced onto the Duo, but critical components have still not been worked out.
  • The project is in its "early days" and is not near completion at this time.

Monce explains in a Twitter thread that the end goal is to boot Windows on the Surface Duo in a somewhat "usable" state. A Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) port has already been made, and some drivers already work. Notably, Monce has not managed to get the display panels to work on the Duo when running Windows.

Getting software to run on hardware that it wasn't meant for is complicated and difficult. The process usually takes time and moves forward gradually, so we will likely see snippets from Monce as things move forward.

If you're more interested in a software experience on the Surface Duo that actually works, Microsoft recently shipped the January 2022 update to the Surface Duo 2. Android 11 also rolled out for the original Surface Duo this month.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.