Is it possible for a copy of Windows to run on a Raspberry Pi?

no, it isn't possible.  Windows XP requires an x86 cpu, but the RPi has

an ARMv6 cpu.  There are some versions of Windows that do support ARM,

but not the ARMv6.   Using emulation software has been tried, but the

results are far too slow to be remotely practical.

I agree with Coder27. Since Raspberry Pi runs Linuz the question could changed to "Can Windows xp/8 run on Linux?". Surprisingly, the answer to this yes, but with certain reservations. The hardware that is running the host operatng system, in this case Linux, must have the resources that the client operating system, in this case Windows xp/8, requires.

The Raspberry Pi, in my opinion, is sorely lacking the resources necessary to run Windows XP/8. The 512 MB RAM can run WIndows XP, but the R-Pi lacks the processor horsepower and secondary storage. This device was never meant to host other operating systems, especially those as complex as Windows. Now, if you want to run MS-DOS, that is another matter :-). Regards, Salvador

Thanks guys. But I have seen such things as mini xp running on a Pi at school but the person will not tell me how they have done it :(. And I also wondered even though (Salvador) you say it lacks 'horsepower' I was interested in the specific topic o windows 8 purely down to that W8 itself claims that it supports ARM processors; as such in portable devices. Is it just that the Pi itself hasn't got the right type ARM processor to be capable of running windows 8? (Forgetting the variables of other hardware such as ram ect...)

Thanks again, Lloyd 

You can run VNC on linux and make it seem like you're using Windows on a Pi. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYQyUqFck6I

Yes, you've hit upon an interesting point. When XP is installed (and no doubt applies to newer versions of Windows) it installs many processes that are executed when Windows is nornally running. Some of those process are needed, such as the Windows Explorer, but others are not. What your "friend" did was remove all the unnecesary processes.

By doing this the hardware requirements drop to a point where you can run a minimal install of Windows on scant resources. How useful such an install is is another matter.

Also, there stands the possibility that your friend got this install by following instructions available on the Web.

Here is a link that could get you started: http://www.ehow.com/how_7295926_install-mini-windows-xp.html

Also, look for mini windows xp or minimal windows install for more information. I am sure that you'll come up with other helpful search phrases. There was also a program that would allow you to customize Windows by permitting you to add and remove Windows components and create an install disc. It is called NLITE: http://www.nliteos.com/

I would read about this program before using it, just to be sure that it is something that can help you.

As Coder27 said, some versions of Windows do support ARM, but only specific models and the ARMv6 is not one of them:

http://www.pimpmypi.com/wiki/wikiPage.php?wikiPageID=19&categoryID=1

(You might find some interesting stuff in the above Website.)

Salvador

That is just plain sneaky! :-) Salvador

And 2 more links before I make a hasty retreat:

Run Win XP on R-Pi

http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=41444

Run Win 7 on R-Pi using VMWare

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok5sKzlH8es

And another (yes that makes three, I always had problems counting) link to an article that caught my attention, but did not really understand what it is about. It might be something useful, then again maybe not:

http://www.raspbmc.com/wiki/user/windows-installation/

From quickly glancing over the About page it looks like it is a Linux distrib. Whatever :- Salvador

One big issue is that MS has a requirement that Arm devices running Windows8 must run UEFI firmware and have secure boot enabled, I'll refrain from lighting that particular flame-fest here, but it should be easy to find with a little googling.

Suffice to say that the Pi doesn't have UEFI and you'd need either broadcom or the RPF to implement it.

So regardless of any theoretical possibility that the cpu on the Pi could be capable of running Win8, if you're unable to boot the OS to begin with it's all rather academic.

There are many other issues to consider, things like it appears that the only way to get Win8 for Arm will be pre-installed on some device. So you'd have to consider if a version of Win8 customised for a different piece of hardware would even run on the Pi, have the correct drivers etc.

Thanks again Salvador :D you have been a massive help and I will take a look at those links.

Kind regards, Lloyd

Russell Martelli wrote:

 

You can run VNC on linux and make it seem like you're using Windows on a Pi.

You don't need VNC, windows comes with it's own remote desktop functionality and most linux distros come with the 'rdesktop' application that's used to remotely connect to a windows desktop.