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

Marco LancasterJuly 9, 2015

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 websitedeveloper called ‘ycavan’posted avideo of the phone running Windows7, followed bythe procedure that he performed to run it.

One of the biggest attractions ofAndroidhas always beenitsopen-sourcecharacteristicsthat enable the more savvyusersto 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.

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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 ]

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About the author
Marco Lancaster
Marco is the HARDWARE & OS EXPERT of Gizchina for the past 4 years. He is Fascinated for technology. He is constantly diving into the Software Development Field and is an expert in all kind of Hardware. He is passioned for the Chinese world of Smart Devices and an addict for technology in general.

Glad to see this made its way to GizChina..

European Citizen
July 10, 2015
Looks interesting, but I imagine it’s hard to operate on such small screen
Devender Rao
July 10, 2015
Complicated but interesting kudos to u
Adam Irvine
July 10, 2015
That is effing awesome!
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

European Citizen
July 10, 2015
Looks interesting, but I imagine it’s hard to operate on such small screen
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

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.

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.