Windows on Arm PCs Archives

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.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Google ships Drive for Arm PCs, removing a compatibility concern

Google has released a stable version of Google Drive for Arm PCs, addressing app compatibility concerns for users. This follows a successful beta launch and requires the Microsoft WebView2 runtime with Windows 11. The update is available to all users with personal Google accounts and Google Workspace. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite Arm processors have received positive feedback, but initial tests showed performance issues with several applications, including Google Drive. While many productivity applications are now optimized for Arm, gaming remains a challenge, with many titles not running natively or performing poorly. Reports indicated higher-than-average consumer return rates for the Surface Laptop, highlighting ongoing challenges for Qualcomm, Arm, Microsoft, and developers in improving Windows on Arm PCs.

Winsage

November 12, 2024

Google’s answer to AirDrop looks like it’s on the way to Windows on Arm PCs powered by Snapdragon X

Google's Quick Share for Windows is set to launch on Windows on Arm PCs, allowing seamless sharing of photos, videos, and files between Android and Windows platforms. Currently, Quick Share does not support Arm-equipped PCs, which includes many AI devices using Snapdragon X Elite chips. A Google webpage briefly indicated support for Windows on Arm but reverted to stating it is not compatible. Quick Share is designed for 64-bit Windows 10 or later and was previously known as Nearby Share. It aims to create a unified sharing experience across Android devices and Windows PCs, competing with solutions like Phone Link.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Windows on Arm apps are about to get access to the secret sauce Adobe used to get Premiere Pro 25 to work on Copilot+ PCs

Windows on Arm PCs with the Snapdragon X Elite processor are receiving a preview build of Windows 11 that enhances Prism emulation, specifically Build 27744. This update expands support for various CPU features, allowing non-native Arm applications to run more efficiently. The update increases the range of 64-bit x86 applications that can be emulated, integrating support for additional CPU extensions like AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C. Currently, only x64 applications are supported, and users can provide feedback on compatibility and performance issues. Additionally, the Start menu has been simplified, a new Gamepad keyboard layout is being introduced for Xbox controller navigation, the Task Manager's Disconnect and Logoff dialogs have been updated for dark mode and text scaling, and the detach virtual hard disk button has returned in the Settings menu.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows 11 Arm PCs are getting even better at emulation with the latest beta build

Windows 11 build 27744 in the Canary channel enhances the Prism emulator, allowing broader support for x86-based applications on Arm devices. This update includes support for additional CPU extensions such as AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, improving compatibility with various applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro 2025. The new features are limited to 64-bit x86 applications, with future updates expected to address the limitations for 32-bit apps. Additionally, the build introduces a new gamepad keyboard, reinstates the option to detach a virtual hard disk from the Settings app, and includes minor improvements to Task Manager. Fixes address issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Clipboard History, Windows Sandbox performance, dynamic refresh rates, and remote desktop connections. Users in the Canary channel can access the update by checking for updates on their PCs.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Are you suffering from printer woes on Windows 11 24H2 for Arm? It’s not just you, says Microsoft

Users of Windows on Arm devices are experiencing difficulties in installing printer drivers, whether using bundled software or downloading from manufacturers' websites. Microsoft has acknowledged this issue and provided a workaround. To add a printer, users should go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select Add device, unless specific instructions for Windows on ARM PCs are provided by the manufacturer. To check if a device is ARM-based, users can go to Settings > System > About and look for "ARM based processor" under Device specifications.

Winsage

October 27, 2024

Top 5 weekly: easier Windows updates, Qualcomm vs. Arm, and more

- The Flyby11 app allows users to bypass Windows 11 system requirements, providing an alternative for upgrading unsupported hardware. - Arm has initiated the cancellation of its chip design license with Qualcomm due to a disagreement following Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia, with an eight-week negotiation period in place. - A YouTuber's attempt to install macOS on a Steam Deck faced technical challenges, resulting in quirks like a permanent portrait mode, suggesting that SteamOS may be a more practical choice. - The upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update is expected to reduce installation time by 45.6% and CPU usage by 15.3%. - New Oryon processors for Windows on Arm PCs are expected to outperform Intel processors in single-core performance while using less power, indicating a potential shift towards Arm architecture in mainstream computing.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Microsoft is making Windows great for musicians and other audio professionals

Microsoft is introducing significant updates to Windows aimed at musicians and audio professionals, including MIDI 2.0 support, which will be backward compatible with MIDI 1.0. Collaborations with Qualcomm and Yamaha have resulted in a new USB Audio Class 2 Driver for Windows. These enhancements are initially targeted at Windows on Arm PCs, with plans to extend them to Intel and AMD x86-64 devices. Upcoming musician software for Arm64 includes Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo in preview this week, Cockos Reaper currently in preview, and Reason Studios Reason set for preview in early 2025. Audio hardware updates include a vendor-specific USB Audio/ASIO driver preview from Focusrite and Steinberg/Yamaha in 2025. In-box support for ASIO and low-latency USB Audio Class 2 drivers is expected by mid-2025, with MIDI 2.0 previews available in Windows Insider builds this November and retail availability expected early next year.

Winsage

October 18, 2024

Qualcomm axes its Windows on ARM PC dev kit

Qualcomm has discontinued its Snapdragon X Elite Developer Kit for Windows on ARM PCs, ceasing sales and support, and processing refunds for customers. The cancellation was attributed to quality control issues, as the mini PC did not meet Qualcomm's standards. Initially set for release in June, the product faced delays and ultimately was canceled after developer Jeff Geerling's review highlighted significant drawbacks, including the lack of Linux support, resale restrictions, and the absence of an HDMI port. Qualcomm had planned to ship the kit with a USB-C to HDMI dongle instead of a traditional HDMI port, which may have contributed to production delays. The kit was intended to help developers port applications to Windows on ARM, a project supported by Microsoft and Qualcomm.

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.