Breaking: Asus Zenfone 2 runs Windows 7 thanks to an XDA developer


Today some mind-blowing news emerged from XDA, reputed site known for customizing and modding the Android platform with thousands of developers who are always trying to break the limits of the mobile handsets. Today’s news involves the known Asus Zenfone 2, aka the world’s first 4GB RAM phone. A website developer called ‘ycavan’ posted a video of the phone running Windows 7, followed by the procedure that he performed to run it.

One of the biggest attractions of Android has always been its open-source characteristics that enable the more savvy users to customize it in their own ways. The ability of the Zenfone 2 to run Windows system also can be attributed to the fact that Intel SoC on the Zenfone 2 which is fairly compatible with Windows. With a custom kernel and some modifications it runs quite smoothly, something that would be difficult for a conventional ARM SoC.

As you can see in the video the Zenfone 2 runs the software easily and quite smooth, maybe more so than we would ever imagine from a hack. The process is of flashing the OS is fairly complex and not meant for everyone as it involves first unlocking the bootloader, then a specific kernel compiled for the OS, partitioning the SD card, and then some terminal commands… and then more.

The developer also states that other Windows distributions such as the newest Windows 10 can be installed with the same procedure and should work equally well. The option is quite interesting no matter how you love Android, you might have imagined how it would be to have a proper desktop OS running on your smartphone. And now we can finally see this as a possibility!

What do you think about this home-hack, are we nearing the age of cross-compatibility where OSes nearly don’t matter?

[ XDA ]
Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

Previous New ZTE ZTE Spro 2 Smart Projector variant powered by Verizon's network launched
Next The makers of Remix OS return with a brand new Mini PC

30 Comments

  1. Paap Mrittu
    July 9, 2015

    can’t believe it. This is impressive.

  2. July 9, 2015

    Yea its very impressive, but the whole process is way out of my league. Phew!!! I couldnt even bring myself to read 1/10 through the whole process after seeing how complicated it is. You have to be an Android developer to even attempt this.

    • MaxPower
      July 10, 2015

      i saw the video and i thought:
      “Michael must be drooling right now”
      🙂

      • July 10, 2015

        lol … yes its nice but im really not gonna try that procedure on my phone (assuming I have the Zenfone 2 already).

  3. Joe mont
    July 9, 2015

    I’d prefer some desktop Linux variant, where you could actually create an interface for mobile use.

    • Dis
      July 9, 2015

      Ubuntu? lol

  4. Paap Mrittu
    July 9, 2015

    can’t believe it. This is impressive.

  5. Michael Ogbonnaya
    July 9, 2015

    Yea its very impressive, but the whole process is way out of my league. Phew!!! I couldnt even bring myself to read 1/10 through the whole process after seeing how complicated it is. You have to be an Android developer to even attempt this.

    • MaxPower
      July 10, 2015

      i saw the video and i thought:
      “Michael must be drooling right now”
      🙂

    • Michael Ogbonnaya
      July 10, 2015

      lol … yes its nice but im really not gonna try that procedure on my phone (assuming I have the Zenfone 2 already).

  6. Joe mont
    July 9, 2015

    I’d prefer some desktop Linux variant, where you could actually create an interface for mobile use.

    • Dis
      July 10, 2015

      Ubuntu? lol

  7. Xalis
    July 9, 2015

    Windows 7 on a 5,5″ device?

    Someone needs to learn about porn and fetishes, if he is gonna be wasting his time on useless things, he better do it while having fun.

    I was trilled to buy a 8″ Windows 8.1 tablet, but I borrowed one and I almost throw it out of the window after like 20mins, I don’t see how could anyone want Windows 7/8 on a device with a screen smaller than 15″.

  8. G'n'T
    July 10, 2015

    Great effort all the same…

  9. Aeonia
    July 10, 2015

    Glad to see this made its way to GizChina..

  10. Guest
    July 10, 2015

    Windows 7 on a 5,5″ device?

    Someone needs to learn about porn and fetishes, if he is gonna be wasting his time on useless things, he better do it while having fun.

    I was trilled to buy a 8″ Windows 8.1 tablet, but I borrowed one and I almost throw it out of the window after like 20mins, I don’t see how could anyone want Windows 7/8 on a device with a screen smaller than 15″.

  11. Devender Rao
    July 10, 2015

    Complicated but interesting kudos to u

  12. G'n'T
    July 10, 2015

    Great effort all the same…

  13. Adam Irvine
    July 10, 2015

    That is effing awesome!

  14. Boni M.
    July 10, 2015

    Glad to see this made its way to GizChina..

  15. European Citizen
    July 10, 2015

    Looks interesting, but I imagine it’s hard to operate on such small screen

  16. Devender Rao
    July 10, 2015

    Complicated but interesting kudos to u

  17. Adam Irvine
    July 10, 2015

    That is effing awesome!

  18. Stephen Chen
    July 10, 2015

    wow amazed… I have been waiting for the day when smartphones can run desktop OSes I initially thought BB might get this done considering they have QNX that;s capable of running emulators

  19. European Citizen
    July 10, 2015

    Looks interesting, but I imagine it’s hard to operate on such small screen

  20. Stephen Chen
    July 10, 2015

    wow amazed… I have been waiting for the day when smartphones can run desktop OSes I initially thought BB might get this done considering they have QNX that;s capable of running emulators

  21. Partha Dutta
    July 11, 2015

    Its great to have both the O.S. particularly Android and Windows. We would be happy to own a Phone/Tablet with 4G and a Full day’s continuous use which will take dictations also from Dragon Dictation. This will solve the problem of People who want their dictations in the Office as well as Home/Chamber. Plus we will be able to see TV, Listen to FM, listen songs, watch videos/movies, play games, all-in-one without desktop. 128 GB storage is already coming up in microchips. So the day is not far. I can see its arrival within two years and within $400 Dollars.

  22. Guest
    July 11, 2015

    Its great to have both the O.S. particularly Android and Windows. We would be happy to own a Phone/Tablet with 4G and a Full day’s continuous use which will take dictations also from Dragon Dictation. This will solve the problem of People who want their dictations in the Office as well as Home/Chamber. Plus we will be able to see TV, Listen to FM, listen songs, watch videos/movies, play games, all-in-one without desktop. 128 GB storage is already coming up in microchips. So the day is not far. I can see its arrival within two years and within $400 Dollars.

  23. AJ
    July 12, 2015

    Hats off to xda developer……., But the success was offered by intel chipset.

  24. Guest
    July 12, 2015

    Hats off to xda developer……., But the success was offered by intel chipset.