Sunxi-tools Windows
The sunxi-tools suite is an essential set of command-line utilities for developers and hobbyists working with Allwinner SoC (System on Chip) based ARM devices, such as the Orange Pi, NanoPi, and Pine64. While these tools are natively developed for Linux, they are fully functional on Windows with the right environment, allowing users to flash firmware, manipulate hardware configurations (FEX files), and interact with devices in FEL mode. Core Utilities in sunxi-tools
The suite provides several specialized tools for low-level device management: Sunxi-tools - GitHub
Step 3: Verification and Basic Commands
Open Command Prompt (cmd) or PowerShell in your tools directory.
Check Connection:
sunxi-fel.exe version
If everything is working, this will return the specific SoC version (e.g., "AW H3"). If it returns USB device not found, your driver isn't installed correctly or the device isn't in FEL mode.
Useful Commands for Windows Users:
-
Boot a U-Boot binary over USB (without flashing): Great for testing.
sunxi-fel.exe uboot u-boot-sunxi-with-spl.bin -
Write to NAND partitions: If you are unbricking a device or modifying partitions:
sunxi-nand-part.exe /dev/nand partition_table.ini
Quick Reference Checklist:
- [ ] Download
sunxi-fel.exeor compile via MSYS2. - [ ] Obtain
libusb-1.0.dll(32-bit). - [ ] Install libusb-win32 driver via Zadig (VID 1F3A/PID EFE8).
- [ ] Run Command Prompt as Administrator.
- [ ] Test with
sunxi-fel.exe version. - [ ] Start flashing and debugging.
With these tools at your disposal, the barrier between Windows development and embedded Allwinner hacking has officially been removed.
Title: Working with Allwinner Devices on Windows: A Guide to sunxi-tools
Body:
If you're tinkering with Allwinner SoCs (like the A20, H3, H5, or V3s) on SBCs such as the Orange Pi, Banana Pi, or C.H.I.P., you've probably heard of sunxi-tools. This suite is essential for low-level operations—things like flashing bootloaders directly to NAND, generating secure boot images, or poking FEL mode.
But here's the catch: sunxi-tools is a native Linux tool. So what do you do when your daily driver is Windows?
The Short Answer: You have three solid options.
What Each Tool Does (Focus on Windows usage)
| Tool | Purpose | Works on Windows |
|------|---------|----------------|
| sunxi-fel | Write SPL/U-Boot, read/write RAM/SPI/NAND, execute code | ✅ (via MSYS2 or WSL) |
| sunxi-nand-image-builder | Create NAND flash images | ✅ (WSL only) |
| sunxi-pio | Pin mux/interrupt config | ❌ needs /dev/mem (WSL can’t either) |
| phoenix-info | Read tablet/firmware info | ✅ (WSL only) |
⚠️ Important Reality Check First
There is no official native Windows build of sunxi-tools. The guide below gives you two reliable paths: sunxi-tools windows
- Using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) – Best for full functionality
- Using pre-compiled binaries + MSYS2 – Native-ish, but limited
1. Enter FEL Mode
Most Allwinner boards have a specific button labeled "FEL" or "Recovery." Power off the board, hold the FEL button, connect the USB OTG cable to your PC, and then release the button.
If successful, Windows Device Manager should show a new device.
What is Sunxi-Tools?
Sunxi-tools is a collection of command-line utilities created by the Linux-Sunxi community. It is the Swiss Army Knife for managing Allwinner devices. It allows you to communicate with the device in FEL mode—a low-level recovery mode that allows you to flash the onboard storage (NAND/eMMC) or boot the device over USB.
While tools like LiveSuit or PhoenixSuit provide a GUI, sunxi-tools offers raw power, scripting capabilities, and transparency. It doesn't try to hide what it’s doing behind a flashy interface.