You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch.

You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch.

      Inside Microsoft’s Cancelled Andromeda OS

      Before Microsoft released the Surface Duo featuring Android, it was intended to operate on a tailored version of Windows named Andromeda OS, designed specifically for dual-screen devices. This project was quietly abandoned several years ago.

      However, thanks to a leaked build and significant developer involvement, you can now see what Microsoft was developing and potentially test it out yourself.

      For those unfamiliar, Andromeda OS was based on Windows 10 and resembled Windows Phone closely, complete with Live Tiles and a Start Menu adapted for dual displays.

      Microsoft initially planned for it to serve as the software base for early dual-screen devices, including the original Surface Duo. Yet in 2018, the company decided to terminate the project and shifted its focus to Android to avoid the daunting task of creating a mobile app ecosystem from the ground up.

      How Andromeda OS Ended Up on Surface Duo

      As reported by Windows Central, the canceled software remained undiscovered until an unfinished leaked build appeared online. Developer Gustave Monce successfully ported this build to the original Surface Duo, although he noted that the port is not functional on Surface Duo 2 due to a lack of driver support.

      For those interested in trying it out, you can download the Andromeda OS build as an FFU file and follow the flashing instructions provided on Monce’s GitHub. However, be warned that this process will erase your Android data, and the installation is not suited for beginners.

      Once installed, the device can technically run both Android and Windows, sharing internal storage, although booting into Windows necessitates a PC. The available version is unstable and clearly unfinished, but it provides a rare insight into Microsoft’s abandoned vision for mobile. This reflects Microsoft’s last significant effort to reimagine Windows on mobile devices, allowing you, for the first time, to glimpse what might have been.

      Currently, the build is unstable and incomplete but provides a unique look into Microsoft’s discontinued mobile plans. Andromeda OS appears to be the company's final serious attempt to redefine Windows for smartphones, highlighting how differently the Surface Duo could have functioned.

      For those curious about how a contemporary Windows Phone might appear, there are some design mockups showcasing how Microsoft's mobile history and speculative concepts continue to spark interest.

      Manisha covers technology integral to daily life, spanning smartphones and apps to gaming and streaming.

      This is the GPU I’m Most Excited About in 2026 — and It’s Not by AMD or Nvidia

      Intel's unconfirmed Arc B770 has the potential to disrupt the midrange market.

      Each year, the GPU market seems to follow a predictable pattern. Nvidia consistently leads at the high end, AMD responds where possible, and the most attention-grabbing headlines focus on flagship performance. For the majority of consumers, this still means choosing between two main companies, even as Nvidia's dominance becomes more apparent. However, the GPU that has my anticipation rising for 2026 doesn’t come from either company. Instead, it’s an unverified card that could quietly reshape the market — Intel’s Arc B770, often referred to in leaks as Big Battlemage.

      LG Display Set to Unveil 27-Inch 4K OLED RGB Stripe Panel at CES 2026

      What LG’s New OLED Panel Means for Your Next Monitor

      LG Display is preparing for a significant advancement in monitor technology at CES 2026, where it will introduce the world’s first 27-inch 4K OLED panel that finally merges a true RGB stripe subpixel arrangement with an impressive 240Hz refresh rate. This innovation addresses the "text problem" that has long affected OLED monitors, providing a display that caters to both high-end gamers and creative professionals without forcing a compromise between sharp text and fluid motion. The highlight is the transition to an RGB stripe structure, with the red, green, and blue subpixels aligned in a straightforward, linear row. This design represents the "gold standard" for computer monitors as it eliminates the frustrating color fringing and blurred edges often seen around text on other OLED variations. Until now, OLEDs in monitor sizes with this specific stripe configuration were limited to a mere 60Hz, rendering them impractical for gaming.

      Asus Might Create Its Own RAM Due to Suppliers' Focus on AI

      Asus is considering extreme measures to address the ongoing global memory shortage that is inflating laptop prices. Although the company has officially denied plans to establish its own RAM production line, there are rumors that the Taiwanese giant might still contemplate producing its own DRAM as soon as 2026. The objective? To break free from dependence on the three major memory suppliers. The core issue stems from a significant shift in the priorities of the world's leading memory producers — Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix — who are currently fixated on the lucrative AI data center market, leading to a decrease in the production of DDR4 and DDR5 modules for consumer PCs. As supply diminishes amid persistent

You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch. You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch. You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch. You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch. You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch. You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch.

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You can now experience the Windows Phone OS that Microsoft chose not to launch.

A leaked version of Andromeda OS now allows users to explore the discontinued Windows software that was initially intended for Surface Duo, providing a firsthand experience of Microsoft’s forsaken initiative to revive a dual-screen edition of Windows Phone.