Microsoft releases test version of Windows 10 for Raspberry Pi 2

Microsoft has released a test version of Windows 10 for the Raspberry Pi 2. Intel’s MinnowBoard Max, a compact motherboard with an Atom CPU, is also supported. The operating system still contains some ‘rough edges’, according to Microsoft.

To install the test version of Windows 10 IoT Core, as Microsoft calls the version of the operating system for small embedded devices, a user must have a PC with the Insider Preview of Windows 10. From there, the ‘IoT Core’ can be installed on an SD card, which can then be plugged into the Raspberry Pi 2 or the MinnowBoard Max.

The IoT Core version of Microsoft’s upcoming operating system is specifically intended for embedded hardware and does not run the full desktop interface. Instead, the intent is for users to remotely log into the device with PowerShell and manage the system that way. Windows IoT Core can then be used, for example, to control smart devices in the house.

Microsoft recommends that users use a minimum class 10 SD card and at least 8 gigabytes of storage to run the operating system. Users should also not expect Windows 10 to work flawlessly on the small devices: the operating system still contains the necessary rough edges, but Microsoft says it wants to give users the opportunity to get started with it. A stable version will be released this summer, which will also be free to download.

In addition, Microsoft will collaborate with Arduino. The software giant releases software that allows devices with Windows 10 to be connected to an Arduino, so that, for example, the sensors of a Lumia phone can be used by the Arduino. Windows software can also soon be linked to an Arduino, Microsoft promises, so that the Arduino can outsource advanced tasks to a Windows 10 app.