ARM64 version Archives

Winsage

August 14, 2025

The Xbox app for Windows on Arm will soon let you download games

Microsoft is enhancing the gaming experience on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs by rolling out new features that expand the library of playable games. Users can now download ARM64 compatible games directly through the Xbox app for Windows on Arm, a feature currently available for Windows Insiders. This allows local installation of games instead of relying solely on Xbox Cloud Gaming, which was the previous limitation for Qualcomm-powered devices like the Surface Pro 12. A selection of ARM64 games from PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will now be accessible on these devices. Collaboration between Microsoft's Windows and Xbox teams has been crucial for ensuring compatibility with the Game Pass catalog, and the company is developing additional features to support more games on Arm-based PCs. The ARM64 version of the Xbox app was initially launched in 2022, but natively compiled games were limited at that time. Users can check the Windows on Arm ready site to see which games perform well on their devices.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Adobe releases Windows on Arm versions of Premiere Pro and After Effects

Adobe has launched public beta versions of Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, and Media Encoder optimized for Windows on Arm. The beta versions have limitations, including Premiere Pro's lack of support for third-party extensions and raw video files like ProRes, as well as missing hardware-accelerated playback and export for H.264 and HEVC in MP4 format. After Effects also lacks ProRes support and has restrictions on importing and exporting various file formats, including ARRIRAW and WMV, and does not support MotionJPEG and MKV imports. Audition and Media Encoder share similar limitations. Adobe began its ARM transition with a beta release of Photoshop for Windows in late 2020, and the transition for Premiere Pro and After Effects has taken longer than expected. Users of Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus PCs have relied on emulated versions of Premiere Pro, which have struggled with performance for intensive video editing tasks.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Google Drive for Windows on Arm PCs is now widely available

Google has launched its Google Drive app for Arm-compatible Windows PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors, now available as a general release after being in beta. The Arm64 version offers the same functionalities as the traditional app and is exclusively available for Windows 11, requiring Microsoft WebView 2. Beta testers will receive an upgrade prompt, while new users can download the app from Google’s website. This release aligns with the increasing support for Arm64 architecture in applications, including Google Chrome, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN. Microsoft is also working on updates to improve software and gaming experiences through its Prism emulator.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Google is giving Windows on Arm some more love with a native Drive app

Google Drive for Desktop has introduced a beta version that supports Windows on Arm, optimized for Arm64 architecture. Users need a Windows 11 PC with an Arm processor and the WebView2 runtime from Microsoft to use the app. The beta version lacks the Outlook Meet plugin, which may be a drawback for some users. Google Drive is now the second major application optimized for Windows on Arm, following Google Chrome. The Quick Share app is compatible but runs through emulation, potentially causing performance issues. Users are advised to use the beta with non-essential data or ensure backups.

Winsage

November 9, 2024

Telegram is the latest of my daily Windows apps to enjoy native ARM support on Snapdragon X and even my ancient Surface

Telegram is a leading messaging application available on Windows, Android, and Apple devices. The latest version 5.7.2 includes integrated native ARM64 support. Users can download Telegram for Windows on ARM from GitHub, where it is offered as a full installation or a portable application. Previously, Telegram operated under Microsoft's Prism emulation layer on ARM devices, but now it runs natively on ARM64, providing a faster and more efficient experience. Users can download the app via an executable installer or as a portable option from the 'telegramdesktop' GitHub page.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Microsoft’s new emulator could bring more games to Windows on Arm

Microsoft is updating Windows on Arm to improve x64 software and game compatibility through advanced emulation, focusing on devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors. This update is part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744, being tested in the Canary Channel. The new emulator will support 64-bit x86 software and various processor extensions, including AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, but will not support 32-bit software. Popular games using AVX2 technology, like Starfield and Helldivers 2, will benefit from this update. Some widely-used applications, such as Photoshop, Hulu, and Chrome, have native ARM64 versions, but others still rely on emulation. The emulator is currently enabled in a limited capacity on retail PCs, allowing Premiere Pro 25 on Arm to operate. A correction noted that Blender now has an ARM64 version and does not require emulation.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

Windows on Arm wins again: Vegas Pro is the latest app to get native support

Vegas Pro will soon support a native ARM64 version, currently in beta testing, optimized for the Snapdragon X Elite CPU and NPU. Users can expect a twofold increase in speed and an eightfold reduction in energy consumption when using the AI-powered Smart Mask tool on Arm processors. Additionally, new features are being developed for all users, including automatic audio ducking, auto normalize for consistent audio levels, and AI text-based editing that generates transcripts for easier video editing.

BetaBeacon

September 25, 2024

Valve appears to be testing ARM64 and Android gaming support for Steam on Linux

Valve is quietly expanding its gaming ecosystem to support Arm-based processors and Android. The leaked code reveals testing of an "ARM64" version of its Linux compatibility layer, Proton, with various games. This development hints at potential Arm support for desktop devices and the possibility of Steam being accessible on Android phones and tablets. Valve's interest in this area is likely due to the increasing popularity of Arm processors, with the company seeing potential for gaming on these devices.

Winsage

September 22, 2024

Steam likely coming to Arm chips with support for hundreds of Windows games — Valve testing ARM64 Proton compatibility layer | Tom’s Hardware

On September 20, Valve updated a test application on SteamDB, revealing a list of games being tested with its Proton compatibility layer, including an ARM64 version called "proton-arm64ec-4." This version is designed to enable Windows games to run on Linux and is currently being tested with hundreds of titles, including Left 4 Dead 2 and Shadows of Mordor. Valve appears to be prioritizing ARM64 support for SteamOS and aims to expand its Linux gaming audience beyond x86 hardware to include Linux ARM devices. There are indications that even Android ARM devices might benefit from Proton support. Speculation exists about Valve potentially developing its own ARM devices, but this is considered unlikely given the competitive pricing of the Steam Deck. Valve's efforts to enhance support for ARM devices align with its commitment to the Linux gaming community, especially as the ARM gaming landscape on Windows is still developing. A significant number of games confirmed to work on Windows for ARM are undergoing testing by Valve, indicating a promising future for gaming on Linux platforms.

Winsage

September 4, 2024

Google Drive is coming Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs: Why this is a ‘big deal’ – Times of India

Google is launching an Arm64 version of Google Drive for Windows on Arm later this year, which is significant for users of Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm's X series processors. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon announced this at the IFA event, where he also mentioned the availability of VPN services NordVPN and ExpressVPN on Snapdragon laptops. The Qualcomm X series processors have faced criticism for limited software support for Windows on Arm, highlighted during Intel's Lunar Lake presentation. Currently, Google restricts access to Drive on Qualcomm-powered devices, prompting users to seek alternatives. Google had previously released an Arm64 version of Chrome for Windows. Gamers have reported issues with games like “League of Legends” and “Fortnite” due to the need for a software layer to translate instructions for Arm-based systems. Qualcomm has introduced its eight-core Snapdragon X Plus chip to make Windows on Arm laptops more accessible and affordable. Amon hinted at potential developments for Snapdragon chips in desktop PCs, with more details expected at the upcoming Snapdragon summit in October.