While some companies like Apple have gone all-in on the ARM architecture, others are more hesitant to dive into the deep end. For example, Microsoft remains heavily invested in the x86 architecture and although it does have some ARM offerings, a lot of them feel a bit half-baked. So you might question why someone like [Gustave] has spent so much time getting Windows to run on unusual ARM platforms. But we don’t need much of a reason to do something off-the-wall like that around these parts, so take a look at his efforts to get Windows for ARM running on a smartwatch.
The smartwatch in question here is a Pixel Watch 3, which normally runs a closed-source Android implementation called Wear OS. The bootloader can be unlocked, so [Gustave] took that approach to implement a few clever workarounds to get Windows to boot including adding UEFI to the watch. During the process Google updated these devices to Android 15, though, which broke some of these workarounds. The solution at that point was to fake a kernel header and re-implement UEFI and then load Windows (technically Windows PE) onto the watch.
Although this project was released on April 1, and is by [Gustave]’s own admission fairly ridiculous and not something he actually recommends anyone do, he does claim that it’s real and provides everything needed for others to run Windows on their smartwatches if they want to. Perhaps one of our readers will be brave enough to reproduce the results and post about it in the comments. In the meantime, there are a few more open options for smartwatches available if you’re looking for something to tinker with instead.
Thanks to [Ruhan] for the tip!
Very cool. Could you use a Bluetooth keyboard?
I found the perfect face for it:
https://microsoft.fandom.com/wiki/Windows_Clock?file=Windows_1.x_Clock.png
Can it run Crysis though?
Not yet, but the Doom port should be coming out any day now.
I would not want Windows on ANY device!
Thanks for letting us know.
You are welcome! And I will trust Windows when you will personally use it for running your car electronics. and control systems… yeah, reboot while driving and BSOD while breaking… oops, I have to stop the car in the middle of the freeway cause Microsoft wants to update, now!!
you are so welcome!
Nuff said. You don’t want windows running anything system critical. Way to risky.
I don’t mind Windows installed in my house.
This title made me chuckle
The hack is great, but better avoid Windows.
For those who don’t know, this is the same Gustave who got WoA running on the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 :)