How to use windows on Andrioid tablet

Hello, this is Terminal.

Today, I'd like to talk about how to use Windows on an Android tablet.

1. Can Windows be used on an Android tablet? - Yes, it can.

Running Windows on an Android tablet

There are two main ways to use Windows on an Android tablet:

• Installing Windows ARM version on an Android tablet (only available on very few models).
• Using a Windows remote connection system on an Android tablet.

 

  When I searched online, I found a method to install Windows ARM on a phone (Xiaomi Poco F1), but it's not recommended due to difficulties in installation and lack of full functionality support. So, let's focus on using the Windows remote system here.

2. When would you use Windows on an Android tablet?

  While tablets are more suitable for content consumption rather than production, they can still be useful in the following scenarios:

• When you need to quickly handle documents but don't have much time.
• When you prefer managing documents on a single PC.
• When you need to work remotely but find a laptop too heavy.

  In such cases, connecting Windows remotely to your tablet can enhance productivity. (However, productivity will significantly decrease without a keyboard and mouse.)

3. What do you need to use Windows on an Android tablet?

 

To use Windows on an Android tablet, you'll need:

1. An Android tablet (most likely, any Android tablet released within the last 5 years with Android 5.0 or above should work).
2. A PC that's booted up and ready for use (remote setup required).
3. Remote connection app (software installation required on both the tablet and PC).
4. (Optional) Router settings (DDNS, port forwarding).
5. (Optional) Bluetooth keyboard/mouse (improves work efficiency).

 

 

3.1. Android Tablet

  Actually, whether you can use Windows on an Android tablet depends on whether you have an Android tablet or not. Regardless of which Android tablet you have, if it was released within the last 5 years (in some cases, even older models with Android 5.0 or higher might work), then it should be possible to use. However, if it's an older model, it might be a bit slow.

I personally purchased the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad P11 and have been using it without major complaints for tasks like watching YouTube and reading PDFs. I've also tried using Windows on my Android tablet through remote connection, and didn't encounter any major issues. Lenovo has now released the P12, the successor to the P11, and I believe it should handle remote desktop usage just fine.

 

3.2. Booted PC (Remote setup required)

  This method operates under the concept of borrowing the screen of an original PC for use. Therefore, it requires a PC that has already been set up for remote access and is booted up. Ideally, the PC should always be on, but it's also possible to boot up the PC remotely when needed and shut it down after use.

  When utilizing a PC at home, you can save on electricity bills by turning on the PC only when necessary and shutting it down after completing tasks. To enable remote booting of the PC from a remote location, you need to activate the Wake on LAN (WOL) feature in the PC's UEFI BIOS. However, the location of this feature may vary depending on the motherboard manufacturer, so you'll need to refer to the manual for your specific motherboard. Additionally, some motherboards may not support the Wake on LAN feature, so it's important to confirm whether your motherboard supports this feature.

3.3. Remote Connection App (I personally prefer Remote Desktop)

  To enable remote connection to the PC, remote connection software is required. You can use built-in Windows Remote Desktop, Chrome Remote Desktop, TeamViewer, etc. To use remote connection, you need to install remote software on the PC (excluding built-in Windows Remote Desktop when using Pro version) and install the related app on the Android tablet (search for RD client or RDP to use the app made by Microsoft). Below is a list of software options and their pros and cons:

 

NO	Software	Pros.	Cons.
1	Remote Desktop (1st recommendation)	Fast speed. Windows built-in (only for Pro and higher). Customizable tablet resolution.	Requires the public IP address. May require router configuration. Difficult to use in environments with firewalls.
				2	Chrome Remote Desktop (2nd recommendation)	Decent speed. No need to know IP address.	Somewhat inconvenient in dual-monitor setups.
								3	TeamViewer (3rd recommendation)	Fast speed. Customizable tablet resolution.	No need to know IP address. Free to use, but limited access for heavy usage.
4	VNC	Free.	Slower speed.
		Also works with Linux.	Requires knowing the public IP address.
			May require router configuration.

 

3.3.1. Remote Desktop

Remote Desktop Screen (Korean)

 

 

  I've tried all four apps, and I highly recommend Remote Desktop (mstsc) for its fast speed and stable connection. It's built into Windows (for Pro version, while for Home version, you can use RDPWrap to enable Remote Desktop), making it the most compatible option. Plus, you can customize the resolution to match your tablet, providing the best working environment whether your PC has dual monitors or triple monitors.

  However, using Remote Desktop requires knowing your public IP address, and if you're using a router, setting up port forwarding might be a bit inconvenient (although once set up, you can continue using it). Sometimes, in companies with firewalls, Remote Desktop usage might not be possible."

 

3.3.2. Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome remote desktop (Korean)

 

 

  Secondly, I recommend Chrome Remote Desktop. It may have slightly slower response time compared to Remote Desktop, but it's ready to use with just a simple software installation and setup. (You don't need to know your public IP address or configure your router settings. Chrome Remote Desktop software takes care of that for you.)

However, if you're using a PC with dual monitors, Chrome Remote Desktop may display both screens on your tablet, which could make screen zooming or moving a bit inconvenient.

 

3.3.3. TeamViewer

Team viewer (Korean)

 

  Lastly, I recommend TeamViewer. TeamViewer combines the advantages of Remote Desktop (mstsc) and Chrome Remote Desktop with its remote desktop-level response time and no need for IP settings. However, since it's primarily a paid software, I don't recommend it unless you plan to use it commercially. (If you plan to use it commercially, it's the top recommendation for remote control apps.)

  Despite its advantages, I don't recommend using TeamViewer for free because you never know when your access might be blocked. (Using it briefly occasionally shouldn't be a big issue.) Although I'm not sure about the mechanism, TeamViewer sometimes displays a message suspecting commercial usage and blocks the connection. It can be very inconvenient if the connection is interrupted during important tasks. ;; (Of course, setting up Chrome Remote Desktop as a backup in case TeamViewer access is blocked could be one solution.)

 

3.3.4. VNC (Virtual Network Computing)

UltraVNC

 

  VNC is also a system for remote control, but its response time is slower compared to built-in Windows Remote Desktop (mstsc), Chrome Remote Desktop, and TeamViewer, so I don't recommend it. You can install VNC software in Linux environments or on Windows Home versions, and there is free VNC software available, such as UltraVNC for PC.

 

3.4. (Optional) Router Settings (DDNS, Port Forwarding)

  If you're not using built-in Windows Remote Desktop (mstsc), you don't need to worry about router connection settings. Assuming you're using built-in Windows Remote Desktop (mstsc), here's a simple explanation: assign a static IP to your PC and then set up port forwarding on your router.

The port used by Remote Desktop is 3389, so when configuring port forwarding, you can set the internal port to 3389 and the external port to 3389, or you can use a different port number if you prefer. If you change the external port, when connecting with Windows Remote Desktop (mstsc), you'll need to enter the IP address followed by the port number in the format IP Address:Port Number. For example, it would be like 192.168.0.150:5901 (if you've set a different external port number).

3.5. (Optional) Keyboard and Mouse

  For productivity, using a physical keyboard/mouse rather than the tablet's virtual keyboard significantly enhances work speed. Personally, I recommend Bluetooth keyboard and mouse because they can be connected without a receiver. Alternatively, you can also use regular wireless keyboard/mouse, but in this case, you'll need an OTG (on the go) adapter. Below is an example of connecting Windows remotely on an Android tablet using a USB Type-C OTG adapter.

 

 

That's all for using Windows on an Android tablet. Thank you for reading my post.