Windows 11 on Arm Archives

Winsage

December 18, 2024

Hear how it’s been developing on Windows 11 on ARM for a whole year from an actual developer who’s been using it

In 2024, Windows 11 on ARM has improved significantly due to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite series of chips, making it a strong competitor to Intel and AMD devices. Developer Michael Niehaus has reported that Windows 11 operates smoothly on a Snapdragon X Elite laptop, particularly with an ARM64 Linux distribution, indicating progress in the ARM ecosystem for software development.

Winsage

December 9, 2024

Windows 11 for Arm can run natively on specific Android smartphones — the test device heats up very fast, and battery life substantially decreases

User anh0l demonstrated running Windows 11 on Arm from a Xiaomi Poco X3 smartphone, which retains a split partition for Android and has a functioning UEFI. Users reported touchscreen control issues, particularly with inverted functionality on the right side, and temperature spikes reaching approximately 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) during testing. Other Android smartphones have also experienced similar temperature levels. The Xiaomi Poco X3 can run Valve's retired Source engine at 30 FPS but struggles with Source 2-based Counter-Strike 2. Compatibility is better with Snapdragon 800 Series or newer CPUs, while older models are less effective. The shared architecture between Snapdragon CPUs in Windows Arm laptops and Android devices allows for this crossover, though driver support is incomplete. Despite high temperatures, anh0l claims the experience "runs flawlessly," with web browsing and basic Blender animations functioning smoothly at 120 Hz, impacting battery life and device temperature.

Winsage

November 15, 2024

Microsoft finally releases Windows 11 on Arm ISO

Microsoft has released ISO images of Windows 11 for Arm architecture, specifically for the current version, Windows 11 24H2. This release simplifies access to Windows on Arm, allowing users to create bootable installations. Devices with Snapdragon X Series processors can operate without additional drivers, while earlier Snapdragon generations will require driver injection to avoid boot failures. Users can also set up virtual machines using the ISO, but it does not support native Windows operation on Apple Silicon. The release aims to bolster the appeal of Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs and enhance support for the Arm ecosystem.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows on Arm update could open the door to more gaming

Microsoft is testing a new update for Windows 11 on Arm processors that aims to enhance the performance of gaming applications and broaden the range of applications capable of running on these devices. The update introduces an emulator named Prism, which allows x86 applications to operate on Arm devices, addressing challenges faced by gaming applications. Adobe Premiere Pro is highlighted as a supported application under the new build, part of the Windows 11 24H2 update, which extends compatibility to x64 applications running under emulation. The update includes additional support for various extensions within the x86 instruction set architecture, such as AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C. However, it is specifically tailored for 64-bit applications, meaning older 32-bit applications will not benefit from these new features. Qualcomm is collaborating with developers to create Arm-specific versions of popular applications, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the Arm ecosystem.

Winsage

October 19, 2024

Qualcomm abruptly cancels Snapdragon X Elite dev kit — refunds customers for mini PC, ends sales and support for the device immediately | Tom’s Hardware

Qualcomm has decided to discontinue the Snapdragon X Elite Developer Kit, which was priced at 9, and is offering refunds to customers who purchased it since its launch. The company acknowledged that the Developer Kit did not meet its standards of excellence and has paused the product and its support indefinitely. Retail laptops with Snapdragon chips were already available, which diminished the kit's purpose for app development on Windows for Arm. Qualcomm plans to expand Snapdragon chip usage across all PC form factors, including desktops. There is potential for a Snapdragon X mini-PC from an OEM, and testing of X2 Elite chips is underway, indicating future developments based on the Developer Kit experience.

Winsage

October 17, 2024

The death of x86 may be “severely exaggerated,” but these native Arm apps are here to threaten Intel and AMD

Several popular applications have been optimized for Windows on Arm, including NordVPN, Arc Browser, Foxit PDF Editor, and Notion, which now run natively on Windows 11 on Arm devices. Native applications typically offer better performance and efficiency compared to emulated ones. The Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors support a wider range of applications, contributing to the growth of the Windows on Arm app library. Microsoft and Qualcomm have collaborated to improve program performance on Arm devices, leading to a rise in native app availability. Some applications still rely on emulation, but many popular apps are transitioning to native Arm versions.

Winsage

October 5, 2024

Parallels debuts AI virtual machine platform that bundles 14 tools including small language models — and promises faster performance on Windows and Linux

Parallels Desktop 20 introduces advanced AI capabilities for virtualization, compatible with macOS Sequoia and Windows 11 24H2. It is the only virtualization software authorized by Microsoft to run Windows on Apple silicon. The AI Package includes a virtual machine with 14 AI development toolsets, allowing users to download a pre-configured VM easily. Performance enhancements include up to an 80% increase in efficiency for certain workloads and improved shared folder technology, making operations on Mac files in Linux VMs four times faster. The Enterprise Edition features a Management Portal for monitoring and managing VMs, enhanced security policies, and compliance with SOC 2 Type 2. Enhanced DevOps services and integration with Microsoft Copilot are also included. Parallels Desktop 20 is available in Standard, Pro, and Business editions, with the AI Package included at no extra cost in the Pro, Business, and Enterprise editions for 2024.

Winsage

September 5, 2024

Vulkan graphics API coming to PCs running Windows 11 on Arm

The Vulkan SDK beta (v1.3.290.0) has been launched for developers creating Vulkan API applications for Windows on Arm, featuring Arm64x layers for debugging x8664 Vulkan binaries. This allows x8664 applications to run on Arm64 devices without a complete rebuild. The SDK includes a native Arm64 shader toolchain and retains existing file names and libraries for easier porting. Installation requires Windows 11 on Arm (64 bits), a Vulkan Installable Client Driver, at least 8 GB of memory, and about 1 GB of storage. Certain components are currently missing but will be added in future updates. Vulkan is a low-level graphics and compute API that provides enhanced control over GPU resources.

Winsage

August 6, 2024

Windows 11 laptops with Snapdragon X ARM chips can now run Adobe Premiere Pro under emulation

Adobe has launched the x86 version of Premiere Pro for Windows 11 on ARM devices using Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processors, operating under emulation until an ARM-native version is developed. Premiere Pro was previously allowed to run under emulation but was temporarily disabled due to performance issues. It has now returned to the Creative Cloud app, with improvements made. The application may perform slower than on Intel or AMD machines but is adequate for basic video projects at 1080p resolution. Adobe is working on an ARM-native version, but no timeline for its release has been provided. Currently, Photoshop is the only Adobe application available natively for Windows on ARM, with others like After Effects expected to follow later this year. Other software, such as DaVinci Resolve and Microsoft's Clipchamp, are already available in native formats for Windows on ARM.

Winsage

July 31, 2024

Galaxy Book 4 Edge inches closer to pro-grade viability thanks to Adobe

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Book 4 Edge, an ARM-based laptop powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip and running Windows 11 on ARM. The initial launch faced compatibility issues with many popular applications. Adobe has released a beta version of Illustrator for Windows on ARM, which allows graphic designers to use the Galaxy Book 4 Edge for their work. Additionally, Adobe plans to introduce a beta version of Premiere Pro for Windows on ARM in the future. Users can also access other Adobe applications like Acrobat, Photoshop, and Lightroom on the device.