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Microsoft's shelved mobile OS, Andromeda, has resurfaced unofficially — and you can now run a leaked build on the original Surface Duo. It’s an exciting glimpse at what might have been, but remember: this is an experimental release and carries real risks.
A forgotten OS makes a surprise comeback
Andromeda OS started life as Microsoft’s answer for dual-screen mobile hardware, developed around the Windows 10 codebase and borrowing design cues from the old Windows Phone era. The Redmond giant ultimately canceled the project and shipped Surface Duo devices with Android instead. That decision seemed final — until a developer uploaded a working Andromeda build for the original Surface Duo.
Who’s behind the demo — and what you can expect
A user named Gustave Monce has been posting demos on X showing Andromeda running on his Surface Duo. The build appears under the temporary name Windows 8828080 and, while functional, is still far from a daily-driver. Expect missing features, rough edges, and driver-related quirks.
How to get it and install it (short guide)
- Download: The leaked files and an installation walkthrough are linked from a reference page shared by the demonstrator. The installation instructions are hosted on GitHub and include step-by-step commands.
- Compatibility: The build currently supports only the original Surface Duo. Attempts to run it on Surface Duo 2 fail because of driver incompatibilities.
- Preparation: Back up your data, unlock bootloader if required, and follow every safety note in the GitHub guide. These steps are technical and assume some familiarity with firmware flashing.
Why you should proceed cautiously
This Andromeda release is an unofficial community port. It’s experimental, labeled as a preview, and may brick hardware or cause data loss. The GitHub installation guide opens with a strong disclaimer: you accept full responsibility for any damage when you follow the procedure. In short, this is for tinkerers and researchers, not for casual users.
What this leak means for mobile Windows fans
For enthusiasts, seeing Andromeda running again is a rare chance to explore an alternate vision of mobile Windows. It also highlights how flexible modern devices are — a smartphone designed for Android can run an abandoned Windows-based OS with community effort. Whether this sparks renewed interest in Windows-on-mobile experiments remains to be seen.
If you plan to try the build, read the GitHub guide carefully, accept the risks, and use a secondary device where possible. This leak is an intriguing tech story, but it’s not a plug-and-play replacement for your daily phone.
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