Transform Your Windows Lumia 950 Into a Mini PC - Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Full Version of Windows 10!

Microsoft Lumia 950 had all the latest features we could ask for in a smartphone at the time of its release. But being a Windows phone, it had its limitations, especially when it comes to running desktop apps. But what if we could turn our Windows Lumia 950 into a Mini PC that runs the full version of Windows 10? Sounds exciting? Let’s get to the process to transform our phone into a Mini PC with this step-by-step guide.

Before we start, let’s make sure our Lumia 950 meets the minimum requirements for running Windows 10:

• 1GB RAM

• 16GB of internal storage

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chip or higher

• Minimum 5.2-inch screen size

• Device should be running Windows 10 Mobile (Threshold) build 10586.107 or higher

If your Lumia 950 meets the above-mentioned requirements, you’re ready to proceed with the installation of Windows 10 on your phone. Please be aware that the installation process will erase all the data and application installed on the device. Hence it is highly recommended to back up all important data before proceeding with the installation.

Step 1: Download the Windows 10 Mobile Interop Tools app on your Lumia 950. This app is required to enable the developer mode on your device, and you can download it from here.

Step 2: Open the Interop Tools app and go to the “Registry Browser” section.

Step 3: Navigate to the following path in the registry editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\Platform\DeviceTargetingInfo.

Step 4: Change the following registry keys:

• PhoneManufacturer to MicrosoftMDG

• PhoneManufacturerModelName to RM-1085

• PhoneModelName to Lumia 950 XL

Step 5: Go to “Capabilities” tab, and enable “Root Access” and “Registry Access.”

Step 6: Now, connect your Lumia 950 to your PC, and download the Full ISO version of Windows 10 from the official Microsoft website.

Step 7: Once the ISO file downloads, mount it via your PC and copy all the files to your SD card.

Step 8: Unmount the ISO file, and insert the SD card into your Lumia 950.

Step 9: Open the “File Explorer” app on your Lumia 950 and navigate to the SD card.

Step 10: Click on the “install.cmd” file, and it will start the installation process.

Step 11: Follow the on-screen instructions given by the installation wizard, and let it finish the installation process. It might take a while to complete the process, so be patient and do not interrupt it.

Step 12: Once the installation finishes successfully, you’ll see the Windows 10 OS running on your Lumia 950 screen.

That’s it, your Windows Lumia 950 is now transformed into a Mini PC that runs the full version of Windows 10. You can now enjoy all the desktop features and apps on your phone seamlessly.

Final thoughts:

While it’s exciting to turn your Windows Lumia 950 into a Mini PC, it’s important to exercise caution and backup all important data before proceeding with the installation. Additionally, it’s not recommended to proceed with this process if you do not have technical expertise as it involves some complex steps. Overall, it’s a great way to revive an old Lumia 950 and get the most out of it.

A group of developers recently have found out a way to install the full version of Windows 10 onto a Microsoft Lumia 950 phone, and now, if you’re up to the challenge, you can install the desktop version of the operating system on your phone (via Neowin).

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to install Windows 10 for ARM on your Lumia 950 phone.

How to install Windows 10 for ARM on Lumia 950

To install Windows 10 on your Lumia 950 phone, you’ll need to download the ARM version of the operating system, reset your phone, and use a third-party app to load the software onto the device.

Downloading Windows 10 on ARM ISO

Microsoft doesn’t offer a direct download for the ARM version of Windows 10, as such you’ll need to use a workaround.

  • Download the unofficial Windows 10 on ARM ISO from Adguard.
  • Use the “Select style” drop-down menu and select the Windows (Final version) option.
  • Use the “Select version” drop-down menu and select the latest version for arm64 option.
  • Use the “Select language” drop-down menu and select your language.
  • Use the “Select edition” drop-down menu and select the Windows 10 Home option.
  • Use the “Select type download” drop-down menu and select the Download ISO compiler in OneClick option.
  • Click the link on the right to download the downloader script.
  • Download Windows 10 on ARM ISO file
  • Double-click the script to download the Windows 10 on ARM ISO.

Resetting Lumia 950

To successfully install Windows 10 on your Lumia 950, the device needs to be using a supported version of Windows 10 Mobile. If you have installed updates since the original release, you have to reset your phone.

Download the unofficial Windows 10 on ARM ISO from Adguard.

Use the “Select style” drop-down menu and select the Windows (Final version) option.

Use the “Select version” drop-down menu and select the latest version for arm64 option.

Use the “Select language” drop-down menu and select your language.

Use the “Select edition” drop-down menu and select the Windows 10 Home option.

Use the “Select type download” drop-down menu and select the Download ISO compiler in OneClick option.

Click the link on the right to download the downloader script.

Download Windows 10 on ARM ISO file

Double-click the script to download the Windows 10 on ARM ISO.

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on System.
  • Click on About.
  • Check that the Reset Protection feature is disabled.

After completing the steps, download the Windows Device Recovery Tool from Microsoft, use the tool to reset your device.

Open Settings.

Click on System.

Click on About.

Check that the Reset Protection feature is disabled.

Unlocking Lumia 950 bootloader

You’ll also need to unlock your Lumia 950 to install the full version of Windows 10.

  • Download the Wpinternals.net tool.
  • Unzip the files.
  • Run the application.
  • Select the Unlock bootloader option from the left pane.
  • Windows Phone Internals app to unlock bootloader
  • Continue with the on-screen directions to unlock the Lumia 950 phone.

Once you’ve completed the steps, you’ll need to download some additional files, and then you’ll be asked to reboot the device.

Download the Wpinternals.net tool.

Unzip the files.

Run the application.

Select the Unlock bootloader option from the left pane.

Windows Phone Internals app to unlock bootloader

Continue with the on-screen directions to unlock the Lumia 950 phone.

Installing Windows 10 on ARM on Lumia 950

To load the full version of Windows 10 on ARM on a Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL, use these steps:

  • Download the WoA Installer for Lumia 950/XL from GitHub. (You’ll need the app and the Core Package.)
  • Start the app.
  • Click the Advanced tab.
  • Import the Core Package available in the zip file.
  • Open File Explorer.
  • Browse to the folder with the Windows 10 on ARM ISO file.
  • Right-click the ISO and select the Mount option.
  • In the “WoA Installer” app, click the Browse button to locate the install.wim file available within the “sources” folder inside mounted ISO file.
  • On your Lumia phone, make sure is connected to your computer as a Mass Storage.
  • In the “WoA Installer” app, use the Manual mode, and select the option to start in Mass Storage mode.
  • Click the Full Deployment button.
  • Install Windows 10 on ARM on Lumia 950

After completing the steps, Windows 10 on ARM will install on your Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL device.

Download the WoA Installer for Lumia 950/XL from GitHub. (You’ll need the app and the Core Package.)

Start the app.

Click the Advanced tab.

Import the Core Package available in the zip file.

Open File Explorer.

Browse to the folder with the Windows 10 on ARM ISO file.

Right-click the ISO and select the Mount option.

In the “WoA Installer” app, click the Browse button to locate the install.wim file available within the “sources” folder inside mounted ISO file.

On your Lumia phone, make sure is connected to your computer as a Mass Storage.

In the “WoA Installer” app, use the Manual mode, and select the option to start in Mass Storage mode.

Click the Full Deployment button.

Install Windows 10 on ARM on Lumia 950

If you’re having issues during this process, you can also use the official guide from the developers of the WoA Installer app that includes even more details to complete the installation.