Windows on Arm PCs Archives

Winsage

April 12, 2026

Windows on Arm isn’t the problem. Bad reviewers are.

Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission from purchases made through links in their articles. Recent reviews of the ASUS Zenbook A16 have raised discussions about Windows 11 on Arm, particularly regarding the performance of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 processors. Devices with Snapdragon X chips run Windows 11 on Arm, and Microsoft has improved compatibility significantly, with users spending 90% of their time on apps that run natively on Arm. While some reviews exaggerate app compatibility issues, many users cannot specify which apps do not work. The "Works on Windows on Arm" initiative lists compatible applications, including Google Chrome and Adobe Creative Suite. The ASUS Zenbook A16, featuring the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and 48GB of RAM, now starts at ,699.99 after a price adjustment due to a listing error.

Winsage

January 20, 2026

NVIDIA-powered Windows on Arm laptops may launch in 2026 — new report suggests it’s actually happening

NVIDIA's N1X laptops are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026, shifting from an initial 2025 timeline. The NVIDIA N1 chip is currently operational in the DGX Spark AI supercomputer, showcasing performance capabilities. The N1X is anticipated to target the high-end market, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips remain aimed at budget-conscious consumers. The introduction of N1X-powered devices could enhance the Windows on Arm ecosystem and increase competition in the market.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft Releases First Windows 11 26H1 Build for Canary Testers

Microsoft has released the first build of Windows 11 version 26H1 for Insiders on the Canary Channel, focusing on refining the platform's architecture to support specific silicon advancements rather than introducing new features. The release is not a feature update for version 25H2 and requires no action from customers. It is expected to be optimized for new Copilot+ PCs powered by next-generation ARM silicon from Qualcomm and potentially other manufacturers. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite chips are anticipated to debut in the first half of 2026, while Nvidia's ARM-based N1X chip and MediaTek's ARM chip for Chromebook Plus devices have also emerged. The current build 28000 does not introduce new features, as version 25H2 remains the primary source for new updates, including enhancements like rearranging dashboards in the Widgets Board and a streamlined Quick Machine Recovery experience.

Winsage

September 19, 2025

Microsoft celebrates Windows 11 on Arm progress as users now spend the majority of their time in natively compiled apps — compatibility is no longer a concern

Microsoft has reported that 90% of user engagement on Arm-based PCs is now with natively compiled applications for Windows 11 on Arm. The Arm app ecosystem is expanding, with native Arm versions available for apps representing 90% of total user minutes. Collaboration with Qualcomm, particularly through the Snapdragon X series of PC chips, has been crucial in this development. Major OEMs have adopted this technology, leading to new Arm-based PCs that compete with Apple Silicon. Adobe has released flagship applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro in native formats. Notable applications now natively compiled for Windows on Arm include 7 Zip, Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello, Todoist, Libre Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Camtasia, Paint.NET, Djay Pro, CapCut, Figma, Apple TV, Apple Music, Google Chrome, Telegram, WhatsApp, Spotify, Davinci Resolve, Blender, and Luminar Neo. The current generation of Snapdragon X processors supports applications still reliant on emulation, with robust performance. Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon PC chips, likely named Snapdragon X2, are expected to enhance performance and efficiency further.

Winsage

September 3, 2025

Meta Quest: Microsoft Adds Windows on Arm Support to Mixed Reality Link App

Microsoft's Mixed Reality Link app now supports Windows on Arm PCs, allowing users of Arm-based devices like the Surface Pro 11 to connect with Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets. This update, rolled out around August 29 via the Microsoft Store, enables users to stream their Windows desktop and create a multi-monitor setup with up to three virtual screens. Initially launched for x86-based PCs in December 2024, this expansion to Arm reflects Microsoft's commitment to feature parity across its hardware ecosystem. The update strengthens the partnership between Microsoft and Meta, aiming to establish mixed reality headsets as essential tools for work and leisure. The Meta Quest 3S, recently launched, is designed to make VR technology more accessible, and includes an "Xbox Edition" bundle with an Xbox controller and Game Pass subscription. This update positions Microsoft strategically in the spatial computing landscape, targeting mainstream consumer and prosumer markets while maintaining Windows as a core productivity hub.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Microsoft brings native Xbox app gaming to Windows on Arm PCs – hints at bigger hardware shift ahead

Microsoft has updated its Xbox app for Arm-based Windows 11 devices, allowing users to download and play games natively instead of relying solely on Xbox Cloud Gaming. This update enables select compatible games to be installed and played locally on Arm devices, such as those powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X, including the Surface Laptop 7. Users must join the Windows Insider and Xbox Insider programs to access the updated Xbox PC app (version 2508.1001.27.0 or higher) via the Xbox Insider Hub. Historically, most PC games have been designed for x86 architecture, leading to performance issues on Arm devices. Nvidia is collaborating with MediaTek to develop an Arm-based SoC for Windows PCs, initially expected to launch in 2025 but delayed to late 2026. An engineering sample of this SoC has shown strong specifications, comparable to the desktop RTX 5070.

Winsage

August 14, 2025

Microsoft connects Xbox Game Pass, Windows on Arm PCs for local gaming

Microsoft is testing a new feature that allows local gaming on Windows on Arm PCs through the Xbox app, specifically for devices powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor. The update (version 2508.1001.27.0 and higher) is available to Windows Insiders and Xbox Insiders in the PC Gaming Preview, enabling access to games from the Windows Store and Xbox Game Pass for PC. Previously, users could only game via cloud services. The Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon X Elite has limitations, with games like Control running at about 40 frames per second on low settings, and many titles struggling to maintain playable frame rates. Older games perform better, with DOTA 2 averaging 52.8 frames per second on low settings but dropping to 9.8 frames per second during intense gameplay. The Xbox app streamlines game downloads via Microsoft’s Game Pass, and there are expectations for improved performance with the next-generation Snapdragon.

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.