Google has taken a significant step forward in enhancing the user experience for Windows 11 devices powered by Snapdragon chips with the launch of a beta version of the Google Drive desktop application. This new version mirrors the functionality available on traditional Intel and AMD systems, although it does come with one notable exception: the Outlook Meet plugin, as noted by a Google employee in a community forum post that caught the attention of Android Authority.
Features and Accessibility
Users eager to explore this beta version can easily download it directly from Google via a link to the .exe file. It’s important to note that the application requires Windows 11, and during installation, users will be prompted to install Microsoft WebView2, which is essential for the app’s operation.
The introduction of a native Google Drive app for Windows on Arm is a pivotal development, bringing Snapdragon-powered PCs closer to achieving software parity with their x86 counterparts. Since January, Chrome has been available for Arm PCs, and this year has seen other software developers, such as Blender and the start menu customizer Start11, also releasing native versions of their applications. However, many applications still depend on Microsoft’s Prism emulation, which the company continues to optimize for better performance.
