Nintendo Switch doesn’t work well with Windows 11

Gamers and enthusiasts find in their hands every day more and more opportunities to surpass the limits challenged by different hardware and software, and that is why experiments become more and more intriguing. A current example is that a user managed to install Windows 11 on a Nintendo Switch.

But this venture, although ambitious, turned out to be more challenging than beneficial, showing the complexities of adapting a modern operating system to specific hardware.

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Nintendo Switch with Windows 11 is a shame to run anything

According to @PatRyk, who shared his experience on Twitter, installing Windows 11 on the Switch was an arduous journey. With an initial process that took three hours and even basic system tasks proving unresponsive and taking several minutes to complete, it’s clear that this is not a smooth transition for Nintendo’s hybrid console.

pic.twitter.com/R5944oljyw

— PatRyk (@Patrosi73) May 12, 2024

The operating system worked extremely slowly, taking around 10 seconds to perform any basic action. The situation becomes even bleaker when it comes to playing on Switch with Windows 11 installed.

This is because optimization and performance seem to be far from ideal, resulting in difficulties even running simple graphical games, such as Peggle.

Barely pic.twitter.com/WWrXmYRXAb

— PatRyk (@Patrosi73) May 13, 2024

This is in stark contrast to the standard Switch’s ability to run titles like Doom Eternal at 30 FPS most of the time, even with resolution scaling, showing how drastic the performance loss is in this case.

But why would anyone venture down this path, and is there any real benefit to replacing the Switch’s default operating system? For some, it may be about having fun or exploring the limits of what is possible.

The truth is, while the idea of ​​running Windows 11 on a handheld console may seem absurd at first glance, it’s not as uncommon as one might think. In fact, some of the Steam Deck’s main competitors use Microsoft’s operating system to work. However, this approach is not always successful, as demonstrated by the Asus ROG Ally, which was based on Windows 11 and was advised against due to performance issues.

However, considering the challenges faced, it would perhaps be prudent to consider alternatives, such as Tiny11 Core for Arm, to obtain more satisfactory results.

While Windows 11 on Switch can be a complicated experience, there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to exploring the console’s potential. Linux gaming tests on Arm architecture, conducted by Taki Udon on YouTube, show that the Switch can deliver impressive performance at resolutions up to 4K.

While the games tested are mostly old or emulated, the fact that the Switch hardware runs Crispy Doom and GameCube games well at 4X native resolution under Linux is promising.

As for Windows 11 enthusiasts, it’s worth remembering that despite the challenges encountered when trying to integrate the OS with the Nintendo Switch, there is speculation that Microsoft may launch an Xbox portable console in the future. This raises the possibility that Windows 11 will become a standard in the portable gaming market, although there is still a lot of work to be done to optimize the operating system for this purpose.

The best gaming experiences on the Switch will continue to be those within the confines of the standard operating system and its games. However, for those seeking new adventures and willing to venture beyond Nintendo’s restrictions, the possibility of turning the Switch into an emulation or streaming PC may be tempting.

And with the arrival of the Steam Deck and other alternatives on the horizon, the hybrid console landscape is expanding even further, offering new opportunities for tech enthusiasts to explore.

Fonte: tomshardware