Install Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi: Full Guide

This guide walks you through installing Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi (models 4B, 400, and 5) using a community-built UEFI firmware and a custom Windows image. You will end up with a functional Windows 11 desktop that can run most ARM64 apps, browse the web, and handle light productivity tasks. Before starting, back up any data on your SD card or USB drive, because the process will erase it.

What You’ll Need

Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB RAM minimum, 4GB or 8GB recommended) or Raspberry Pi 5. Raspberry Pi 400 also works.
A microSD card (at least 32GB, Class 10/A2 recommended) or a USB 3.0 SSD/thumb drive (faster performance).
A Windows PC (or a Mac with a VM) to download and write the image.
A USB keyboard and mouse.
A monitor with HDMI cable (or micro-HDMI for Pi 4/400).
Power supply: official USB-C (Pi 4/400) or 27W USB-C (Pi 5).
Software: Raspberry Pi Imager, and a Windows 11 ARM64 image (e.g., from UUP dump or a pre-built WoR project).

Step-by-Step

Download the Windows 11 ARM64 image. You can build your own using UUP dump (a free service that assembles official Microsoft update files) or download a pre-built image from a trusted community source like the WoR (Windows on Raspberry) project. Make sure you get the ARM64 version, not the x64 one.
Install Raspberry Pi Imager on your PC. Open it and click “Choose OS”. Scroll down and select “Use custom” to browse for the downloaded Windows image file (usually a .img or .zip).
Insert your SD card or USB drive into the PC. In Raspberry Pi Imager, click “Choose Storage” and select the correct device. Double-check you picked the right one—this erases everything on it.
Click “Write” and confirm. The imager will write the Windows image to the card/drive. This can take 10-20 minutes. Do not remove the card during the process.
Eject the card/drive safely and insert it into the Raspberry Pi. Connect the keyboard, mouse, and monitor, then power on the Pi.
First boot setup. The Pi will boot into Windows Setup. You’ll see the Windows logo and then the OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience). Choose your region, language, and keyboard layout.
Connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet when prompted. If you’re using Wi-Fi, select your network and enter the password. Ethernet is plug-and-play.
Sign in with a Microsoft account (or create a local account if you have a workaround). Windows 11 Home requires internet and a Microsoft account during setup.
Let Windows finish installing. The Pi will restart a few times. After the desktop appears, you’re done. You can now install drivers (if needed) and apps.
Install drivers (optional but recommended). Some Pi models need extra drivers for Wi-Fi/BT or GPU acceleration. Check the WoR project’s driver pack and install via Device Manager if you see yellow exclamation marks.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong image. x64 Windows images won’t boot on the Pi. Always download the ARM64 version.
Writing to the wrong drive. Raspberry Pi Imager will happily overwrite your PC’s hard drive if you select it. Always double-check the storage device before writing.
Insufficient storage. Windows 11 needs at least 32GB; 64GB or more is recommended for updates and apps. A tiny card will fill up fast.
Using a low-quality power supply. The Pi may reboot randomly or not boot at all if the power supply can’t deliver enough current. Use the official adapter or a high-quality 5V/3A (Pi 4) or 5V/5A (Pi 5) supply.
Skipping the UEFI firmware. Most pre-built images include it, but if you build your own, you must flash the UEFI separately. Without it, the Pi won’t boot Windows.

Tips

Use an SSD instead of an SD card. Windows runs significantly faster on a USB 3.0 SSD. The Pi 4 and 5 support USB boot natively.
Keep the Pi cool. Windows can stress the CPU. A heatsink and fan (or a case with active cooling) prevent thermal throttling.
Enable hardware acceleration. After installation, install the GPU driver from the WoR project to get smoother graphics and video playback.
Disable Windows Update for drivers. Windows Update may replace the custom drivers with incompatible ones. Use the Group Policy Editor or registry to pause driver updates if you have issues.
Back up your image. Once you have a working setup, create a backup of the SD card or SSD using Raspberry Pi Imager’s “Read” feature. This saves you from redoing the install later.

Troubleshooting

Pi won’t boot (red light only). Check your power supply and cable. Try a different USB port on the Pi (the blue ones). If using an SD card, re-write it with the imager.
Boots to a black screen or rainbow screen. This usually means the UEFI firmware is missing or corrupted. Re-flash the image, or manually write the UEFI to the SD card’s boot partition.
Windows setup freezes or crashes. Try a different SD card or USB drive. Also, ensure you’re using a stable power supply. If it happens during file copy, your storage might be failing.
No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Install the driver pack from the WoR project. Open Device Manager, find the unknown devices, and update drivers manually.
Display resolution is stuck at 640×480. Install the GPU driver. If that doesn’t work, edit the config.txt file on the boot partition to set a higher resolution (e.g., hdmi_mode=16 for 1080p).
Windows is very slow. Close background apps, disable visual effects (System Properties > Performance Settings), and consider upgrading to an SSD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to install Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi?

Yes, it’s legal. Microsoft does not officially support it, but the Windows on ARM license permits installation on any ARM device. You need a valid Windows license key, though the evaluation version works without one for a limited time.

Will all Windows apps work on the Pi?

No. Only ARM64 apps run natively. Many x64 apps can run via emulation, but performance varies. Some apps with kernel drivers or DRM may not work at all.

How fast is Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi 4?

It’s usable for light tasks like web browsing, Office, and media playback. Boot takes about 1-2 minutes from an SSD. Gaming and heavy productivity will be sluggish.

Can I dual-boot Windows and Raspberry Pi OS?

Yes, you can use a tool like PINN or manually partition the SD card. However, it’s simpler to use two separate cards and swap them when needed.

Does Windows 11 on Pi support 64-bit apps?

Yes, Windows 11 ARM64 includes x64 emulation, so most 64-bit x86 apps run. However, some apps that require specific CPU instructions may fail.

Why does my Pi 5 not boot Windows?

Pi 5 support is newer and requires the latest UEFI firmware and a Windows image built for it. Make sure you’re using a recent image from the WoR project that explicitly supports Pi 5.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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