Is Windows on Arm the Future? How the Arm Architecture Works and Why It Matters

Windows on Arm is the version of Microsoft Windows that runs on Arm processors. The platform has had its ups and downs over the years, but Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X CPUs have provided a glimpse of what could be a brighter future. Windows computers can now compete with Apple’s M series systems in terms of power efficiency, performance, and battery life.

Arm-powered laptops are also becoming viable options for people who want to purchase new Windows computers, thanks to Microsoft’s emulation improvements and push for compatibility. It means you’re no longer limited to the Intel vs. AMD comparison.

But is Windows on Arm ready for mainstream adoption? Why should you care about the operating system? And is the traditional Windows platform at risk of replacement? Let’s find out.

What Are Arm Processors?

Arm CPUs are central processing units built on architectures designed and licensed by Arm Holdings (or simply Arm). A CPU architecture refers to the structures that determine the type of instructions the CPU can handle. Arm Holdings builds architectures that belong to the RISC family.

RISC (reduced instruction set computer) is an ISA (instruction set architecture) designed to handle simple, decomposed instructions per clock cycle instead of the more complex instructions used by x86-based CPUs.

The first Arm architecture was designed when Acorn Computers supported the British government in adding computers to UK classrooms. Acorn became Advanced RISC Machines (Arm) Ltd. in the 90s after going through a series of financial difficulties. The company was later rebranded to just Arm Holdings in the 2000s.

How the Arm architecture is implemented 

Arm, the name behind the architecture, is short for Advanced RISC Machines. The company, Arm Holdings, deploys three major profiles to control different processes:

• A-profile (applications): General-purpose processor cores designed to handle rich operating systems like Windows.
• R-profile (real-time): Designed for systems with real-time needs, such as embedded control systems and networking equipment (like 4G and 5G modems).
• M-profile (microcontroller): Designed for power efficiency to handle operations that require low computing power. These include Arm’s SecurCore processors used in smart cards and other CPUs that power IoT devices.

Arm Holdings releases different versions of the Arm instruction set architecture, such as Armv8 and Armv9, which companies like Qualcomm and Apple then license to build processors.

These companies can implement modifications to the Arm architecture and design bespoke microarchitectures to make their chips perform faster. For example, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors are built on the Armv8 ISA.

Difference between Arm and x86

I’ve already established that Arm is based on the RISC ISA. The x86 architecture, developed by Intel, belongs to the CISC (complex instruction set computer) family.

The CISC ISA allows the CPU to perform multiple complex actions for each instruction. The architecture is designed such that the CPU breaks down the complexities itself. On the other hand, RISC processors only execute one simple action per instruction. The software must break down the instructions for the CPU.

For example, say you want to multiply 5 by 2, and 5 resides within a memory address (let’s call it address 50).

An x86 CPU will fetch 5 from the memory address, multiply it by 2, and write out the result. In essence, the CPU performed three operations based on that single instruction.

However, there will be multiple instructions for the Arm CPU that go like this:

• Fetch the number 5 from memory address 50.
• Multiply that number by 2.
• Write out the result of the multiplication.

That means there will be three instructions and three operations. This simple instruction model makes the CPU more power efficient and customizable for various applications. On the other hand, x86 CPUs are capable of handling heavier tasks like gaming, video editing, simulation, and multitasking due to their makeup.

However, that raw power comes at the cost of inefficient energy consumption. Still, Arm CPUs from Snapdragon and Apple have seen significant performance bumps that can now rival their x86 counterparts in smaller computer form factors.

Also, the Arm architecture allows for more use cases, such as laptop cellular networks. Here’s a quick snapshot showcasing the differences between these architectures:

What Is Windows on Arm? Features, Compatibility, Performance

Windows on Arm is Microsoft’s version of the operating system for computers powered by Arm-based CPUs. The OS runs native Arm apps to showcase the advantages of the RISC-powered CPUs and emulates x86 apps that won’t run directly on Arm processors.

📌 A brief Windows on Arm history

Let’s take a look at Windows on Arm’s journey:

• Windows RT

Windows RT was our first introduction to Windows on Arm. It was the Arm-supported version of Windows 8 and was released in 2012. The operating system ran on devices such as the Surface RT tablet, Lenovo Ideapad Yoga 11, and Asus VivoTab RT, powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU.

Image credit: Amazon

However, the platform was a colossal failure since it couldn’t run apps designed for the x86 architecture. Since x86 apps were the only programs developed for Windows up until that point, it meant developers had to create new programs attuned to Arm. Microsoft discontinued the platform as the app ecosystem for Arm was too scant to convince users.

• Windows 10 on Arm

Windows RT’s failure didn’t stop Microsoft’s Arm ambition. The company reintroduced the concept with Windows 10 on Arm in 2017, the first time we officially heard the name.

This time, it brought an emulator that could run 32-bit x86 apps. Surface, such as the Surface Pro X, devices were powered by Snapdragon Arm-based chips, which performed well when running native Arm apps.

Image credit: Amazon

Still, 64-bit x86 apps never ran on the emulation layer, and the programs that did run suffered serious performance hits.

Windows 10 on Arm is still available but doesn’t enjoy widespread use.

• Windows 11 on Arm

Microsoft moved into what is considered the golden age of Windows on Arm with the introduction of its Copilot+ PCs . That’s thanks to the powerful series of Arm processors released by Qualcomm.

These chips (Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite) boast incredible power efficiency and battery life, high performance, groundbreaking AI capabilities, and a wealth of other hardware-based features like cellular connection and security.

Image credit: Dell

For the first time, Windows laptops started lasting more than 12 hours on battery, rivaling the best Apple M-series MacBooks. The performance losses when running these systems on battery were also revised, thanks to the efficient nature of the Arm CPUs.

📌 Prism: Microsoft’s new emulation layer

Microsoft also launched the Windows 11 on Arm platform with a new emulation layer called Prism. This emulator can run x64 and x86 apps more efficiently with smaller performance sacrifices than the previous iteration.

It is available on Windows 11 24H2 and later. Microsoft also tuned Prism specifically to Snapdragon processors. However, the X Elite and X Plus CPUs paired with Prism provide better performance results than previous Windows on Arm offerings.

Here’s a quick comparison between Prism-emulated performance vs. the old emulation layer in Windows 10:

Benchmark credit: Dave Lee (Dave2D)

📌 Native Arm applications

As I mentioned, Arm-native apps—programs built specifically to run on Arm CPUs—work best with Windows on Arm. These applications run faster and conserve more energy than x86 programs running on x86 CPUs.

You can visit the Works on Windows on Arm website to check whether the apps you rely on are compatible with Windows on Arm.

Advantages of Windows on Arm

Let’s cover everything that makes Windows on Arm a compelling platform for Windows users.

Power efficiency and battery life

The latest Windows on Arm devices are popular for their power efficiency. They provide the best performance per watt for any Windows device. That means they can run relatively heavy operations with small power draws, unlike Intel- and AMD-powered machines.

For this reason, computers with Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors dominate the list of Copilot+ PCs with the best battery life .

The real-world battery life tests on these PCs are impressive. They can even rival Apple’s M-series MacBooks, which have been unequal in the battery department until now.

Battery test credit: Hardware Chanuks

Also note that battery life is affected by battery capacity , laptop screen type, and usage mode. So check your battery specs and balance them with your screen capability and intended use cases to determine how long you’ll be using your laptop before plugging it in. For example, a laptop battery drains faster when running heavy apps like games than when performing simple tasks like video playbacks.

That said, newer Intel and AMD chips are giving the Snapdragon X CPUs a run for their money regarding battery life. More on this later.

Performance

Every Arm-based Copilot+ PC released so far is powerful . They are capable of running day-to-day productivity tasks without issues and can play some games (those that run) fairly decently. While they are not the best video editing and gaming laptops due to their lack of GPUs, they’re ideal for every other user base that relies on supported programs.

In fact, many benchmarks show them beating Intel’s latest Core Ultra 200 series at multicore performance. These chips also slug it out with AMD’s flagship CPUs in certain areas while using smaller energy footprints.

MaxTech compared two Dell XPS 13 laptops—one with the Snapdragon X Elite chip (X1E-80-100) and the other with Intel’s Lunar Lake (Core Ultra 7 256V). Tests show the Intel laptop slightly beating the Snapdragon in single-core performance. However, the X Elite is miles better in multicore benchmarks.

Benchmark credit: MaxTech

Benchmark credit: MaxTech

At the same time, GPU-dependent tasks are elusive for the Snapdragon chip, as it struggles to keep up with its x86 counterpart in many situations.

Artificial intelligence

AI is another area where the Snapdragon Arm processors shine. They were the foundation for Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs since they had the required NPU hardware that could run at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS).

While newer Intel and AMD chips have NPUs that achieve the same feat, SD NPUs run on lower power.

That means they can handle heavy Windows AI features like Recall , image generation, and the new Copilot Vision in your device without significantly harming battery life.

Image credit: Microsoft

Always-on connectivity

Arm-based laptops can ship with SIM card trays and eSIM options, thanks to the architecture’s ability to host network microcontrollers and real-time connectivity infrastructure.

Arm’s power efficiency also means that OEMs can squeeze out even more performance by allowing some extra power draw. For example, the Snapdragon X Elite can push impressive numbers at 23 watts but can also handle up to 80 watts. The higher the wattage, the more performance one can eke out of the processor.

Portability

Arm CPUs don’t produce as much heat as Intel and AMD processors due to their power-efficient nature. So much so that these processors do not need elaborate cooling systems. That means laptop OEMs can produce thinner and more portable computers.

For example, ASUS Zenbook 14 (OLED version) powered by Intel’s Core Ultra CPUs weighs 2.82 lbs (1.28 kg). On the other hand, the Snapdragon-powered Zenbook A14 weighs as little as 1.98 lbs (0.90 kg). The latter is also thinner (1.34 cm) than the former (1.59 cm).

Concerns About Windows on Arm

While Arm-based laptops pack a lot of advantages, there are downsides you should consider.

❌ Compatibility issues with Windows on Arm

Compatibility is the major problem for Windows on Arm, especially for mainstream users. While Prism does a great job at emulating 32- and 64-bit x86-based apps, some programs don’t run. These include games that use Easy Anti-Cheat, programs without Arm-compatible driver support, and many VPNs. Here are some programs that struggle to run on WoA or don’t run at all:

Again, you can check the games and apps sections of the Works on Windows on Arm website to confirm which programs you can run comfortably.

❌ Limits with emulation

Emulated apps often have limited functionality and can experience glitches that make them unusable. Latency can make games unplayable or put players at a disadvantage, and performance penalties in video editing can hurt productivity and speed.

On top of that, there will always be performance penalties when running x86 apps on the emulation layer.

Benchmark credit: Dave Lee (Dave2D)

These issues represent a significant barrier for people who intend to enjoy Windows on Arm’s incredible offerings but rely on non-native apps for their day-to-day tasks.

❌ Gaming and heavy tasks

Qualcomm’s chips may be incredible at power efficiency, but they lack the x86 raw power required to run the most demanding games and other heavy applications for long hours.

Gaming remains one of the major drawbacks for Windows on Arm, as the current laptop chips lack support for capable GPUs that can run high-end titles.

Also, games that rely on the Easy Anti-Cheat engine won’t run at all since it lacks Prism support.

On top of that, developers complain that there are no working dev kits available to allow them to make more optimized apps for WoA. Windows Dev Kit 2023 lacks Linux support, which is important for these projects, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Dev Kit never really saw the light of day.

❌ Compatibility with dedicated GPUs

For now, NVIDIA only publishes Arm drivers for Linux, not Windows, and most dedicated GPUs are specifically built to work with x86 processors.

Although there are efforts to bring dedicated GPU support to Windows on Arm, it will take years to optimize such configurations.

Do Maintenance Practices Apply to Arm-based PCs?

Yes. You still need to use antivirus programs for protection, download the latest updates for Windows and apps, get rid of junk files, and keep your system dust and debris-free. PC optimization apps can also help you keep your WoA system running faster, as they do on x86 computers.

However, finding compatible system maintenance software can be challenging at this early stage of the WoA journey. In most cases, programs don’t run at all, and when they manage to run on the emulation layer, you’ll experience certain issues.  For example, the specifications for Avast Driver Updater and AVG Driver Updater warn that these programs do not support Windows on Arm.

Users who were able to run IObit Driver Booster on WoA devices experienced issues with driver updates and were told the program is not fully compatible.

Here’s a snapshot of popular software utilities and their WoA compatibility status:

While most of these programs don’t work on WoA devices for now, developers may create Arm-native versions in the future. However, if you already have an Arm device, it is best to switch or stick with maintenance utilities like programs from Auslogics that fully support your device .

Auslogics BoostSpeed (for critical cleanups and general PC health) and Auslogics Driver Updater (for driver updates, backups, and restores) have complete Arm support and will present no issues. These programs are quite important for maintenance, especially on Arm computers, where the specifics about drivers and general system optimizations are not quite clear.

The Future of Windows of Arm

Microsoft is holding on to its Windows on Arm ambition and has thrown its weight behind the platform to power future generations of its Copilot+ PCs. Qualcomm has also shown strong intent in chipping away at Intel, AMD, and even Apple’s market share with its Snapdragon chips.

That’s not where it ends. More players are entering the market, with MediaTek and NVIDIA making bold plans to create Arm-based CPUs for Windows. NVIDIA’s Project DIGITS (now NVIDIA DGX Spark), a supercomputer powered by an Arm CPU and Blackwell GPU, foreshadows a new series of consumer processors from the graphics card powerhouse.

Image credit: NVIDIA

➡️ Applications ecosystem

As mentioned, support for Arm-native apps may not be mature, but it is growing at a frightening pace. Within a few years, there will be enough native Arm applications to erase compatibility concerns, just as it worked with the Apple ecosystem.

➡️ Dedicated GPU support

With players like NVIDIA and MediaTek joining the Windows on Arm movement, it’s only a matter of time before we see discrete GPU support for Windows on Arm.

Reports recently suggested that Arm Holdings is developing a dedicated GPU to rival NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel. While there are no indications that Qualcomm is developing a chip that will support discrete video cards, we are hoping to see some of these capabilities in the future.

➡️ Gaming

There are hundreds of Arm-native games that run without issues on Windows on Arm. However, these are not the heavy-hitters that you’ll recognize at a glance. More popular titles still don’t have Arm64 ports and rely on Prism (if they don’t use Easy Anti-Cheat).

However, I don’t see why that future won’t get brighter with Microsoft’s ongoing campaign for expanded Arm support. While supporting another platform might be expensive for developers, the venture will be worthwhile when enough users migrate to the Arm ecosystem.

➡️ What about desktops?

Qualcomm CEO Christiano Amon announced at Computex Taipei in 2024 that Snapdragon CPUs will find their way to every PC form factor. While the proclamation represents a lofty ambition, as Qualcomm will have a lot of ground to cover, it is not impossible. Capable Arm desktop chips already exist, even though they struggle with Windows and discrete GPUs.

I’ll consider Qualcomm’s decision to back off from their desktop aspiration more puzzling because they’ll be leaving a whole market to the competition.

➡️ The x86 challenge

Intel and AMD won’t fold their arms and watch their market share erode. These companies are creating more efficient CPUs that dilute the argument for Arm chips.

For example, this general comparison between laptop processors from Just Josh shows that recent Intel and AMD CPUs are catching up in areas where Arm processors are billed to shine.

While you have to input caveats, such as power draws, performance on battery life, and screen type, these new x86 apps offer compelling reasons to dissuade users from switching. That’s because you can now enjoy almost the same battery life offered by Snapdragon Arm laptops and not worry about app compatibility and GPU support.

Also, x86 processors are no longer mere traditional Windows platforms that can only run the Copilot app and use few other AI capabilities. They are now part of the Copilot+ PC family that runs Microsoft’s suite of exclusive AI features, thanks to their neural processing units.

Image credit: HP

Installing Windows on Arm

Snapdragon-powered laptops already ship with the compatible Windows on Arm operating system. However, if you want a clean installation without OEM bloatware, download the Windows 11 on Arm ISO from Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 website .

You can then mount the file as a DVD and run the setup. The process is seamless and straightforward for Snapdragon X laptops. You can use the ISO to create a bootable drive with Rufus, and it will boot just fine.

However, you may have to connect your system with an Ethernet cable to download drivers once your setup is complete. People using older Snapdragon devices, such as the SQ3, may find the process more complex.

They may have to add driver packages to the Windows image (ISO) to ensure the setup can detect their devices.

Should You Buy an Arm-Powered Laptop?

Windows Arm laptops are currently available for purchase and have great price-to-performance offerings. For example, Microsoft’s Snapdragon Surface devices are cheaper than their latest Intel counterparts.

Still, you must put many things into perspective before purchasing a Snapdragon-powered device.

Windows on Arm: Is It the Future?

Microsoft is clear that Windows on Arm is a significant part of Windows’ future. But will it replace the traditional Windows platform? I don’t believe so. Arm computers may collect a chunk of the PC market share, but x86 will still represent an integral option, since that area is also experiencing major advancement.

Let us know if Arm’s many capabilities and offerings are enough to make you switch.

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