Check out Windows 10X on a Surface Pro 7, Lumia 950 XL, and MacBook Air

By Sean Endicott
last updated

These devices won't officially get Windows 10X, but that didn't stop these developers.

Surface Pro 7
Surface Pro 7 (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Developers managed to get Windows 10X running on several unsupported devices.
  • So far, Windows 10X has been seen on a Surface Pro 7, Lumia 950 XL, and a MacBook Air.
  • Windows 10X will not officially ship to current devices running Windows 10.

A test video has since come out showing Windows 10X on the Surface Pro 7.

A near-final build of Windows 10X recently leaked online, and developers appear to be having fun with it. People have managed to get Windows 10X to run in some form or another on the Surface Pro 7, Lumia 950 XL, and even a MacBook Pro with Apple's M1 chip, though the latter appears to be through virtualization. We haven't gotten our hands on any of these devices, but it appears that they all have Windows 10X on them in at least some way.

Windows 10X is Microsoft's modern version of Windows. It has a fresh look built from the ground up, including a new Start Menu, a new Action Center, and a new Taskbar. Our senior editor Zac Bowden recently went hands-on with Windows 10X. His video gives us the best look of what the operating system will look like in action, but some developers decided to go in a different direction.

Several developers recently shared images on Twitter showing off Windows 10X on unsupported hardware. Windows 10X won't officially ship to current devices, but that didn't stop people from putting it on a Surface Pro 7, Lumia 950 XL, and a MacBook Air.

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Twitter user "ADeltaX" shared three images of the Surface Pro 7 running Windows 10X. It appears that the device runs the new version of Windows, though it's hard to tell what limitations it has from just these images. It does seem that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work.

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Twitter user Gustave Monce has a reputation for getting the Lumia 950 XL to run things it was never meant to. Those efforts continue with Windows 10X appearing on the old phone. The port seems to be in early stages and we only have a single screenshot at this point.

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Lastly, Twitter user "imbushuo" showed off Windows 10X on a what appears to be a MacBook Air, though it seems that Windows 10X is running in virtualization.

Before you get your hopes up, you won't be able to get Windows 10X to spice up your old PC, at least not officially. These developers managed to get things running in some shape or form, but Microsoft doesn't plan to ship Windows 10X to any current devices.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com (opens in new tab).

13 Comments
  • I'd be interested to see this running on a Surface Duo.
  • I second that, MPetrozio!
  • Yes, a mobile with zero applications... Sounds wonderful
  • I'm like 90% sure Gustave Monce will eventually port W10X to a Duo, just makes sense since he can get it working on a Lumia 950XL. A Duo would definitely be able to handle the new OS.
  • If it supports telephony, then it will be the Windows Phone I've been waiting for.
  • If someone can get it running on a Surface RT, I would be interested in seeing that. I still have two sitting around the house that it would be fun to tinker with a bit.
  • How does the hardware stack up today? And I mean looks.
  • I have one, I was wanting to follow the process and put WOA. But 10x would be even lighter!
  • Oh boy... If W10X could be run on my old HP Elite X3 I'd probably yeet my iPhone XS Max 😭
  • Still have a couple windows phones around. Would love to give them new life as mini tablets with windows 10x. Please Microsoft let this happen officially. (Not holding breath)
  • I have a couple old Windows 8 tablets sitting around that struggle to run Windows 10. I'd be interested in seeing how they run 10X. Does anyone know if logging into a Windows 10X device could lead to your Microsoft account being banned?
  • I'd love to be able to breath some new life into my Lumia 950 and turn it into a mini PC!
  • "Windows 10X is Microsoft's modern version of Windows." That's kind of optimistic and premature isn't it. It's barely a stripped down ChromeOS competitor at this point, lacking performance and app support. But yea, I'd like to see it on a DUO.