M2 iPad Air Runs Windows 11 ARM via Emulation, Thanks to EU Rules

A developer has demonstrated Windows 11 ARM running on an M2 iPad Air using emulation, which has become much easier since the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations came into effect.

windows 11
As spotted by Windows Latest, NTDev shared an instance of the emulation on social media and posted a video on YouTube (embedded below) demonstrating it in action. The achievement relies on new EU regulatory changes that make it easier to sideload apps on iOS and iPadOS devices. Under the DMA, users can now download third-party app stores like "AltStore Classic," which enables the installation of UTM with JIT (Just-In-Time) compilation support.

UTM is the technology that makes it all possible, and emulates Windows 11 inside iPadOS by translating Windows code into ARM instructions as it runs. Technically, iPadOS restricts direct virtualization for third-party apps, but JIT compilation allows Windows 11 to boot and function smoothly without requiring jailbreak access. NTDev credits AltStore's StikDebug helper app for enabling JIT compilation in the background.

NTDev improved performance by using Tiny11, a stripped-down version of Windows 11 that removes bloatware and reduces system requirements. This optimized version requires less RAM and storage than standard Windows 11. The developer says it runs "quite decently," although judging by the video, the performance isn't good enough for it to be a PC replacement.


This isn't the first time Windows 11 has been demoed running on a tablet. As Windows Latest notes, Microsoft's operating system has previously been successfully booted on OnePlus and Xiaomi Android devices.

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Top Rated Comments

robvalentine Avatar
8 months ago
So it is possible to have a more useful OS on an iPad?
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gpat Avatar
8 months ago
Please just endorse this, Apple.
Parallels/VMWare in the App Store to allow Windows/macOS on iPad on demand, and no one will complain about your FisherPrice OS anymore.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tubular Avatar
8 months ago
It's a bit like playing a hoedown on a Stradivarius.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jakey rolling Avatar
8 months ago

It's a bit like playing a hoedown on a Stradivarius.
Good joke, to be sure, but if you were to think on it a bit:
1) Chances are pretty good that if you can get your hands on a real Strad, you're probably skilled enough to play a pretty damn good hoedown.
2) While it may not be the typical kind of music you'd usually play on a Strad, a hoedown will definitely get you more people dancing than the usual Strad fare.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Haiku_Oezu Avatar
8 months ago
>runs "quite decently,"
>20 seconds to start Task Manager

Yeah I don’t think this has any use other than just proving it’s possible
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
8 months ago
Why can an iPad run Windows 11 at 0.1 FPS , but my PC which lacks a TPM 2.0 is summarily denied? :confused:

I know, I know - it's emulated, but my gripe remains valid! ;)
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)