How to Run Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi 5: Methods, Performance, and Real Experience

With the arrival of the Raspberry Pi 5, the dream of running Windows 11 on a low-cost, credit card-sized computer feels closer than ever. Hobbyists and tech enthusiasts worldwide have been experimenting to see just how far they can push this tiny yet powerful board. But can the Raspberry Pi 5 really handle Microsoft’s flagship operating system, and, more importantly—is it actually usable?

If you’re hoping for plug-and-play simplicity or stellar performance, it’s time to set realistic expectations. Running Windows 11 on the Raspberry Pi 5 is doable, but it comes with a fair share of hurdles and ‘quirks’ that you’ll need to consider. Let’s unpack the current state of the art, real user experiences, and whether it’s worth the effort to get Microsoft’s OS up and running on your Pi.

Is Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi 5 Officially Supported?

To clear the air right away: Microsoft does not officially support Windows 11 on any Raspberry Pi hardware—including the Pi 5. There’s no out-of-the-box image, driver package, or guarantee that things like networking or graphics acceleration will work. In fact, even the official Raspberry Pi Forums make it clear that discussion of running unlicensed or unsupported builds is mostly up to the community. Microsoft Office is also not supported natively. If you depend on these features, alternative software—like LibreOffice on Raspberry Pi OS—is much more practical.

Why Install Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi 5?

The main motivation comes down to curiosity, experimentation, and a desire to push the limits of what’s possible on ARM-based hardware. While the Pi 5 won’t replace your daily Windows desktop, being able to boot Windows 11 can be handy for testing, light app usage, or just satisfying your inner geek. It’s also a great conversation starter if you’re the sort who likes to tinker!

Popular Methods for Installing and Running Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi 5

1. The Windows on Raspberry (WoR) Project

The Windows on Raspberry (WoR) project is one of the best-known community-driven attempts to bring Windows to Raspberry Pi boards. This process, however, is anything but straightforward.

• Setup involves flashing the Raspberry Pi with a special WoR-provided BIOS utility to enable Windows booting. This is a non-trivial step, as the Pi lacks traditional BIOS options familiar to PC users.
• You’ll need at least two storage devices: one for the modified BIOS, another (usually a USB SSD) to actually host the Windows 11 operating system.
• The installer used is the ARM64 build of Windows 11.

But, as users have detailed on the Raspberry Pi Forums and XDA Developers, the process is full of technical headaches:

• The installer experience is slow thanks to the combination of Pi hardware speed and Windows’s own setup bloat (ads, promotions, and lots of waiting).
• Ethernet drivers are not officially supported in the unofficial BIOS, often requiring workarounds (tethering through your phone) just to get online.
• Display support is limited—typically maxing out at 1920×1080, even if you have a higher-res monitor.

After installation, expect some rough edges: Apps may crash frequently, there are ‘low page memory’ warnings, and the user experience isn’t great for anything beyond the lightest workloads. Forum users note that while it’s “fun” for experiments, the project is no longer actively maintained for newer Pi models, and suitability for real work is questionable at best.

2. Runtipi’s Windows 11 Container

If you find the WoR method too convoluted or unreliable, the Runtipi platform introduces a more approachable alternative. Runtipi is mainly a containerization suite for Raspberry Pi OS, but it surprisingly includes a way to deploy Windows 11 as a container using KVM technology.

• Deployment is easier and much quicker than the WoR method—it typically completes in under an hour, and you avoid most Microsoft installer bloat screens.
• You can assign specific resources to the Windows container (e.g., 4GB RAM, 4 CPU cores), giving you control over performance vs. host system needs.

Real-world feedback highlights key pros and cons:

• Basic tasks, web browsing (in Brave), and simple app usage work relatively well, even with modest hardware allocation.
• The major trade-off is display resolution: the Windows container is stuck at 800×600, limiting usability for anything needing more screen real estate.

Installation is less painful and more beginner-friendly than pure WoR flashing, but don’t expect miracles. This setup is ideal for lightweight uses, proof-of-concept, or if you don’t need seamless multimedia or high-resolution displays.

3. Botspot VM: Simple Setup via Pi-Apps

Botspot’s VM approach brings simplicity and comfort to running Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi 5. Available via the popular Pi-Apps store, it automates much of the VM creation process, making it accessible for less experienced users.

• Windows 11 ARM64 runs inside a virtual machine on top of Raspberry Pi OS.
• Networking and audio passthrough work out of the box, reducing compatibility headaches.
• Configuration tweaking is user-friendly, and switching displays between 1080p and 4K is supported (with limitations at high resolutions).

Performance with this method is surprisingly decent for everyday tasks: Running apps like Notepad++, VS Code, and even photo editing in Darktable is feasible as long as you moderate your expectations. Attempting to use other apps concurrently or pushing the system beyond its limits (such as intensive multitasking or gaming) will quickly expose performance bottlenecks.

If you’re looking for the least painful way to boot up Windows 11 ARM for specific, lightweight tasks, Botspot VM is probably your best bet. However, it still doesn’t turn the Raspberry Pi 5 into a powerhouse: x86 PCs easily leave it in the dust.

Real-World Performance: What Can You Expect?

Despite the ingenuity of these projects, the Pi 5’s hardware limits are the main bottleneck. Community feedback and hands-on tests agree on several points:

• Boot time is reasonable—a user running Windows 11 off an old USB SSD saw cold boots under 30 seconds. Feels fast for an experiment, but that’s where the speed mostly ends.
• Basic app installation and web browsing are possible, but memory and CPU resources run out fast. Occasional app crashes, ‘low memory’ warnings, and slowdowns are common if you multitask or try heavier programs.
• Display options are limited. Some methods allow 1080p, but stable dual-monitor or UHD display support is only available under Raspberry Pi OS, not Windows 11. Graphics drivers remain basic at best.
• Networking challenges persist. Official Ethernet and Wi-Fi support isn’t always guaranteed; workaround solutions (like phone tethering) may be required.
• Microsoft Office doesn’t run natively—and isn’t supported by Microsoft or the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Community forums recommend alternatives like LibreOffice for typical office tasks, with some compatibility drawbacks if you rely on advanced features.

Limitations, Gotchas, and What’s Still Missing

• These aren’t stable, everyday setups. All current methods are either experimental or maintained by volunteers. There is no guarantee of future updates, long-term compatibility, or bug fixes.
• Driver and hardware support for Windows 11 on ARM (Pi 5) remains incomplete. Expect headaches with sound, video, network, and USB peripherals depending on your luck and configuration.
• You will not get the speed, responsiveness, or app coverage of a cheap x86 mini PC—even the most optimized ARM installation won’t match Intel N100 or similar systems designed for Windows.
• Security, licensing, and software update questions remain fuzzy. Since these are unofficial builds without full Microsoft blessing, you’re on your own when issues occur.

Are There Practical Alternatives?

For access to Microsoft’s tools or Windows environments, you have a few smarter options:

• Stick with Raspberry Pi OS and run Windows applications via emulation or web-based solutions, unless you absolutely need native ARM Windows.
• If your heart is set on Windows for ARM, explore well-maintained mini-PCs or SBCs based on Intel/AMD chips, like the Radxa X4 or small N100-based systems. They boot Windows 11 natively and support all modern features.
• For most office productivity needs, LibreOffice or similar open-source tools are fully supported, quick to install, and compatible enough for daily documents and spreadsheets.

Community Experiences: Why Still Try?

Despite all the caveats, the strong community interest shows there’s real curiosity around running Windows 11 on Pi 5—even if just for hack value, learning, or nostalgia. Tales of users posting from their Windows 11-powered Pi, experimenting with dual boot, or seeking better office software compatibility abound on forums and blog posts. For tinkerers, half the fun is in seeing what breaks, and the other half is figuring out how to work around it!

Still, discussion threads are peppered with users expressing frustration at LibreOffice on the Pi and seeking the ‘real’ Microsoft Office experience—a need not quite fulfilled by any current solution. For workplaces with strict requirements, these experimental builds are unlikely to meet policy or reliability expectations.

All things considered, running Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi 5 remains a fun technical challenge best enjoyed by hobbyists, not business users. If you go into it with the right mindset—knowing that bugs, crashes, and limitations are all part of the ride—you’ll gain some valuable hands-on experience and maybe a new respect for just how versatile the Pi can really be.