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This wikihow teaches you how to run Windows 8 on an Android tablet. While you can't replace the Android operating system with Windows 8 or install Windows 8 directly onto your Android, an emulator app called Limbo will allow you to run a version of Windows 8. Keep in mind that most Android tablets are not designed to run computer-based operating systems, so your tablet will slow down noticeably when using Windows 8.
Steps
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Open your tablet's Google Play Store. This app resembles a multicolored "Play" button on a white background.
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Tap the search bar. It should be at the top of the screen.Advertisement
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Type in limbo pc emulator . This will search the Play Store for the Limbo emulator app.
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Tap Limbo PC Emulator QEMU ARM x86 . It's at the top of the drop-down menu below the search bar. Doing so takes you to the Limbo download page.
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Tap INSTALL . This green button is on the far-right side of the screen.
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Tap ACCEPT when prompted. Doing so will allow Limbo to download onto your tablet.
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Allow Limbo to download. Limbo is a small app, so you can proceed with downloading the Windows 8 file while Limbo finishes downloading.
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Enable downloads from unknown sources. This will allow you to download and install programs from websites rather than having to go through the Google Play Store: [1] X Research source
- Open Settings
- Tap Security or Lock screen and security
- Tap the grey "Unknown sources" switch
- Tap OK if prompted.
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Open a web browser. Tap your preferred web browser's app icon (e.g., Chrome ) to do so.
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Open the Windows 8 ISO site. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8 in your tablet's browser.
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Scroll down and select an operating system. Tap the "Select edition" drop-down box, tap Windows 8.1 in the drop-down menu, and tap the blue Confirm button below the edition.
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Scroll down and select a language. Tap the "Choose one" drop-down box, tap your preferred language, and tap Confirm .
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Tap 32-Bit Download . It's a blue button near the bottom of the page. Doing so will prompt the Windows 8 file to begin downloading onto your tablet's SD card.
- The download may take upward of an hour to complete, so just make sure that your tablet is connected to the Internet and plugged into a power source.
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Wait for the download to complete. Once it does, you can proceed with adding the Windows 8 file to the Limbo folder.
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Open your file explorer app. Depending on your tablet's manufacturer, this app's name will vary.
- If you don't have a built-in file explorer app, you can download one from the Google Play Store. ES File Manager is a popular free choice.
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Go to the Windows 8 file. Tap the storage location to which the Windows 8 file was downloaded. In most cases, this will be a folder entitled Downloads that's in the "Internal Storage" or "SD Card" folder.
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Tap and hold the Windows 8 file. Doing so will prompt a menu or options to appear.
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Tap Copy or Move . You should see one of these options either in a pop-up menu, or at the bottom or top of the screen.
- You may first have to tap â‹® in one of the tablet's corners to select Copy or Move .
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Find the limbo folder. Go back to the main page of the file explorer app, select your tablet's Internal Storage , and tap the limbo folder.
- If you can't find limbo in the internal storage, try the SD Card option. You may also need to restart your tablet before the limbo folder shows up.
- If you selected the Move option, you will be prompted to select a destination folder.
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Tap Paste or Move . Again, you'll either see this option in a pop-up menu or at the top/bottom of the screen, or you'll need to tap â‹® to see this option. Doing so will place the Windows 8 ISO file in the limbo folder. Once the copying/moving completes, you'll be able to run Windows 8.
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Open Limbo. Tap the computer-shaped Limbo app icon to do so.
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Tap I Acknowledge when prompted. It's at the bottom of the screen.
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Tap OK when prompted. Doing so will bring you to the main Limbo page.
- The pop-up window on which you have to select OK is usually a list of version notes, so you don't have to read the window here.
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Tap the "Load Machine" drop-down box . It's in the upper-right side of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
- This box will likely say None in it.
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Check the New box. You'll find this in the drop-down menu. Doing so opens a window.
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Enter a name. Type in a name (e.g., windows 8 ) for your operating system.
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Tap CREATE . It's at the bottom of the window. This will select Windows 8 as your operating system.
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Change the CPU model option. Tap the "CPU Model" drop-down icon, then tap qemu32 in the drop-down menu.
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Select a RAM option. Tap the "RAM Memory (MB)" drop-down icon, then tap at least 512 .
- If your tablet can handle using a gigabyte of RAM, consider tapping 1024 here instead.
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Check the "Hard Disk A" box. It's in the "Storage" section of this page, though you may need to scroll down a bit to see it.
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Tap the "Hard Disk A" drop-down icon. It's to the right of the "Hard Disk A" heading. A drop-down menu will appear. [2] X Research source
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Tap OPEN . This option is in the menu. Doing so will open a list of your tablet's internal storage folders.
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Select the Windows 8 file. Scroll down and tap limbo , then find the Windows 8 file and tap it to select it. You may need to tap a checkmark ✓ or a button (e.g., OPEN or OK ) to confirm this choice.
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Scroll down and check the "Fullscreen" box. It's in the "User interface" section of the page. Once you've selected this final option, you're free to run Windows 8.
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Scroll up and tap the "Play" button. This is the triangle-shaped icon at the top of the Limbo page. Doing so will prompt Windows 8 to begin running on your tablet.
- Keep in mind that your tablet will run quite slowly during this time.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I install PC games and apps when I install Windows on my tablet?Community AnswerIt's Windows, so any .exe files or apps meant for Windows can run on it.
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QuestionWhat are the benefits of converting Android to Windows?Community AnswerYou can do more, like use files and edit. It's like you have a mini PC in your pocket.
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QuestionCan I put a mouse and keyboard on it?Community AnswerYes, if you have a USB mouse/keyboard and a USB converter, you can plug them in. If you need to purchase those, you can find them in most electronics stores.
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Tips
- You can install several different operating systems, including Windows XP and Windows 10, on your Android using Limbo.Thanks
- Your tablet will most likely take several minutes to start up when using Windows.Thanks
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Warnings
- Do not attempt to install an operating system on your Android using a program called "Change My Software". This program is malware designed to get you to complete surveys and will cause your phone to stop working.Thanks
- Always download Windows 8 from a website authorized by Microsoft, otherwise it is piracy.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 212,252 times.
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