With our guide, you’ll learn how to bypass Microsoft’s stringent requirements and install Windows 11 on your Raspberry Pi 4. The best part is that you can do the installation from a Raspberry Pi or a PC without too many commands or technical skills.
Requirements for Installing Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi 4 – Both the 4GB and 8GB Pi versions will work. But for a smoother experience go with 8GB. Also, you’ll need to install and set up Raspberry Pi OS.External SSD drive or USB flash drive – This is where you’ll install Windows 11. We recommend going with an external SSD drive since it will improve the performance of your system. The drive should be at least 64GB.SD Card – If you want to install Windows 11 directly from the Raspberry Pi, you’ll need a decent SD card to host Raspberry Pi OS.USB Keyboard, USB Mouse, and an HDMI Monitor.Raspberry Pi firmware that is up-to-date.Reliable internet connection, either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.Windows PC if you want to install Windows 11 from another Windows PC.
Update Your Raspberry Pi to the Latest Firmware
To enable your Raspberry Pi 4 to boot from USB, you need to ensure it has the latest firmware. So before anything you will need to update your device to the latest firmware. Open a “Terminal” window and enter the following commands. This will update all the installed packages to the latest version and restart the device.
Install Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi
There are two options when it comes to getting Windows 11 to run on your Raspberry Pi 4, and we’ll detail both in what follows. We’ll start with the more convenient route.
Method 1: From Raspberry Pi OS
Installing directly from the Raspberry Pi OS is the easiest way to install Windows on a Raspberry Pi 4. The only drawback is that it’s slow compared to installing from a PC. Here’s how to go about it: Be patient as WoR Flasher installs Windows. The time it takes will depend on the speed of your internet connection and the USB drive you’re using. Keep the Raspberry Pi powered on throughout the installation process. If you’re having trouble, check our guide on booting your Raspberry Pi from USB.
Method 2: From Another Windows PC
Installing Windows 11 to your Raspberry Pi 4 from another PC is much faster than using the Raspberry Pi OS method due to the more powerful processor. Even then, it’s slightly more complicated. Here’s how to go about it: The process of setting up Windows on the Raspberry Pi is pretty much the same as that of setting up Windows on a PC. Image credit: ©chetroni/123RF.COM
