ARM-powered Archives

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC

Windows 11 is introducing a natural language search feature for Copilot+ PCs, currently in testing. The latest Beta channel preview (build 26120.3585) includes 'local semantic search' capabilities for laptops with AMD or Intel processors, and Snapdragon (Arm-powered) PCs can access it in the Release Preview. This feature allows users to query settings directly and utilizes the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for local processing, ensuring no data is sent to the cloud. It can also retrieve photos from OneDrive alongside local files. Microsoft plans to extend support to third-party cloud storage services. The feature will gradually roll out in the Beta channel, and users may need to reboot their devices to activate it. Semantic indexing is enabled by default on Copilot+ PCs, with options to disable it or exclude specific files. The AI-driven search capability has progressed from the Dev channel to the Beta and Release Preview stages, indicating a strong likelihood of a finalized version for Windows 11.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Windows-on-Arm woes: Amazon warns customers about Surface laptop returns

Qualcomm and Microsoft are enhancing the Windows-on-Arm ecosystem, highlighted during the Microsoft Build event in May 2024. The Surface brand laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors received positive feedback for performance and battery life. However, the Microsoft Surface Laptop (7th Edition) has been flagged by Amazon as a "frequently returned item," prompting buyers to check reviews. Customer feedback indicates that app compatibility issues are a primary reason for the returns. Intel's interim Co-CEO suggested that devices with Snapdragon chips are returned at higher rates due to unmet functionality expectations. Despite this, the market for Windows-on-Arm systems remains strong, with major manufacturers adopting Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Other Snapdragon-powered devices, like the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, have not faced similar return warnings. The Surface Laptop may have higher return rates due to its popularity and specific shortcomings noted in reviews, such as display quality and keyboard comfort. Microsoft also offers Intel versions of the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, which may confuse consumers. Qualcomm and Microsoft are working with developers to improve software support for Windows-on-Arm, with notable applications like DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Photoshop now available. Challenges remain, including Qualcomm's discontinuation of its Snapdragon Developer Kit for Windows and limited native support for some applications. Users with specialized needs may prefer traditional x86 Windows versions. Qualcomm plans to unveil its second generation of Snapdragon X processors in late 2025.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Google Drive is now widely available on Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops

The Google Drive app is now fully available for users of Arm-powered PCs, including those with Snapdragon X chipsets. This native version allows seamless integration with Windows File Explorer, enabling users to sync and store files online easily. Additionally, Google has updated its Quick Share app for Windows to support Arm, although it is still a non-native application.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Sorry, Microsoft has fixed the Copilot automatic uninstall bug

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 devices affected by the unintended removal of its AI assistant, Copilot, are being restored to their original state. A bug caused the uninstallation of Copilot and its removal from the taskbar following the March 11th update. Users are advised to reinstall Copilot from the Microsoft Store and manually pin it to the taskbar while a permanent fix is developed. Copilot, introduced as a native application for Windows, allows users to initiate a voice chat by pressing Alt + Spacebar. Additionally, users on Arm-powered devices are facing difficulties downloading Roblox from the Microsoft Store, and Roblox is working on a solution. Users can access the game directly from Roblox.com in the meantime.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Renegade Project turns your Arm-powered smartphone into a Windows 11 PC

Microsoft has stepped away from the mobile arena, but a community is exploring running Windows on smartphones. It is now possible to install Windows 11 on select modern smartphones with Arm architecture through the Renegade Project, which provides specialized UEFI firmware for devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs. This firmware allows users to switch between various operating systems, including Windows. The installation process is complex and requires specific tools and configurations. Supported devices include the Nokia Lumia 950, 950 XL, Surface Duo, and Duo 2. A Reddit user successfully installed Windows 11 on a Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro, experiencing some touchscreen glitches but overall smooth performance. However, drawbacks include poor battery life of about 2.5 hours, lack of fast-charging support, and overheating issues. Microsoft’s last mobile OS, Windows 10 Mobile, was released in 2015, with official support ending on January 14, 2020.

Winsage

December 3, 2024

Windows Copilot+ PCs aren’t there yet: 8 must-change upgrades for 2025

Intel's Lunar Lake and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 CPUs are expanding the market for AI-infused Copilot+ PCs beyond Arm-powered laptops, featuring neural processing units (NPU) capable of 40 trillion operations per second. The new baseline specifications include at least 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. However, the initial features of Copilot+ PCs have been underwhelming, lacking transformative AI integration, and privacy concerns have arisen with the Windows Recall feature, leading to its retraction. The Copilot AI assistant requires an internet connection, limiting functionality, and generative image capabilities are also constrained by this requirement. Current local image generation models do not match the quality of cloud-based solutions, and the focus on NPUs has overlooked the potential of GPUs in gaming laptops. The Copilot+ designation is currently limited to thin-and-light laptops, excluding desktop PCs and gaming laptops. Applications must utilize the Windows Copilot Runtime for full potential, but few currently do. Lastly, the high prices of Copilot+ PCs hinder widespread adoption.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Google Drive for Windows gets ARM support in beta for Snapdragon laptops and more

The Google Drive app for Windows has launched its beta version, now supporting ARM architecture for the first time. This version includes native ARM64 binaries, providing the same functionality as on other platforms, except for the unavailable Outlook Meet plugin. Users are advised to use this beta version with non-production data only, as it may contain bugs. This release follows previous hints of ARM support and coincides with the expansion of Quick Share for Windows to ARM devices.

Winsage

November 12, 2024

Google says Quick Share is coming to Windows on ARM, including Snapdragon laptops

Google has launched its Quick Share app for ARM-powered Windows devices, allowing file transfers between Android and Windows systems. The app is available for manual download from Google's website and is compatible with ARM-based devices running Windows 11 and later. Quick Share enables simultaneous file transfers across multiple devices, including those not owned by the user. However, it is not yet a native ARM64 application, requiring emulation for installation. Some users have reported installation errors, particularly on devices like the Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X Elite. Google is expected to release a proper download soon, and updates will focus on bug fixes rather than new features.

Winsage

November 9, 2024

Update for Windows PCs with ARM chips could improve compatibility with x86 games and applications

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processors are the fastest ARM-based chips for Windows laptops, making ARM-powered PCs viable alternatives to Intel and AMD. Microsoft has introduced an emulator named Prism to facilitate the execution of x86 applications on Windows PCs. The latest version of Prism enhances performance by supporting additional CPU features during emulation and simulates a virtual x86 CPU, allowing non-natively compatible software to run. It adds support for several x86 instruction set extensions, including AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, improving compatibility for PC games. The updated Prism is accessible in Windows 11 24H2 and supports any 64-bit x86 application, enabling previously blocked games and creative applications to operate on ARM processors. The new version is currently available to Windows Insider program members, with no details on a broader release timeline.

Winsage

October 12, 2024

Arc Browser now supports Windows on ARM

Microsoft announced Windows 11 version 24H2 at its recent event, introducing new AI features for Copilot+ PCs and expanded native application support, including the Arc browser. The Browser Company confirmed that Arc is now available for installation on any ARM devices, allowing users to download it from arc.net. The latest Arc version supports ARM processors on Windows, includes fixes for tab management, and has an open beta for Arc Search on Android 12 or later. Arc is compatible with Windows 10 and 11, and optimizations for ARM devices are expected to improve performance on both new and older models, including the Surface Pro X and Surface Pro 9 5G.