Windows 10 ARM currently being ported to the Nintendo Switch – You may want to grab a large (and fast) SD Card as multi-booting your Switch may be possible in the future!
Over a year ago, Linux was brought over to the Switch and obviously, people that like tinkering with their devices took kindly to it. Fast forwarding to about a week ago, Android got ported to the Switch; yet, that wasn’t the end of the OS-porting saga as a brave soul is currently porting Windows 10 ARM to Nintendo’s latest console!
Windows 10 being ported to the Switch and what we currently know
To show off his work, @imbushuo decided to start it off by showing us a nice error screen with Windows 10 complaining about Boot Configuration Data
As usual, everything we know comes from Twitter and this time around, the guy behind pushing the Switch past its limits is @imbushuo (Ben).
Right now, not a lot of information is available on the subject as the only proof comes in the form of two photos showing the Switch trying to boot up Windows 10 ARM (yes, Windows 10 isn’t exclusive to x86/x86-64). From these, the following could be summed up about the port’s current state:
- Obviously, the port is still in early stages but Windows 10 has at least started to boot
- There is support for a basic framebuffer as both the Windows boot-up logo and an error message were drawn on the Switch’s screen
- Some fixes to memory allocation are apparently needed for this port to progress further
- Most hardware components are unlikely to be working at this stage
What can Windows 10 ARM do? Can I get it right now?
If you’re scratching your head thinking about what Windows 10 could potentially contribute to your Switch, you wouldn’t be alone but there are some potential uses for it which include:
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With Windows 10 ARM, you can run x86 (32-bit) applications through emulation which delivers acceptable performance letting you run less demanding applications like Microsoft Office and older games like Fallout!
- If you’re interested in performance benchmarks, check out this link.
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The ability to use a better browser rather than the one bundled with the Switch but that can already be done with Linux (and possibly Android in the future).
As this port of Windows 10 for the Switch isn’t anywhere near finished, it obviously isn’t available for download. However, things seem to be progressing!
- If docked mode is supported, the Switch could turn into a fully fledged computer when connected to a TV/monitor thus making it an ideal tablet if you want to get some work done on the go and at home.
- You can run UWP applications and games, like Asphalt 8, from the Microsoft Store.
Like the Android port, this one’s currently not available either as both ports are currently in development. From what we currently know, Windows 10 on the Switch seems to be in early stages so don’t hold your breath about a release any time in the near future!
Conclusion
Without a doubt, the Switch’s hacking scene seems to be getting more exciting by the week so if you’re thinking about buying a fusee-gelee vulernable Switch, now may be a good time. Furthermore, there seems to be a great deal of interest about getting other OSes running on the Switch as hinted by this tweet about the existence of a Discord guild regarding the subject. As a result, it be a good idea to think about grabbing a high performing large SD Card (when you find a good deal, that is) if you’re interested in potentially multi-booting your Switch in the future 😉
For more updates about Windows 10 on the Switch, follow @imbushuo on Twitter by following the link below.
@imbushuo’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/imbushuo
Nice to see the hardware is being used to its full potential. Pity the owners (NintenDOH) are lame and wont even let us use Netflix on it.
THIS is what happens when they put stupid restrictions on devices, people will always find a way around that stupid limitation.
EG: look at what happened when $ony removed Linux from the PS3, it was hacked and linux came back and so did backups and homebrew. Its THEIR own fault for backups on the PS3. If they never removed Linux then it will still be the unhacked console.
The PS4 never had linux so it was also hacked and now can play backups.
I say, if they enabled LInux from the start it wont get hacked. The PS3 is proof of that. It was never hacked until they removed Linux.
Oh, now thats some good news, its great to see “otherOS’s” scene growing on such interesting device, i shall be the first to test this out when release and i have some ideas in mind but… you know whats even better? A u r o z e t t.
New OS! New V a g i n a hey a u r o z e t t
A u r o z e t t!
All you guys ever talk about is Z e t t ‘ s V a g i n a… He prefers to be call A u r o r a now. Let’s move on please.