Windows Arm-based PCs FAQ

Yes, you can install and run most Windows apps on Windows 11 Arm-based PCs just as you would on other Windows 11 PCs.  Apps do not need to come from the Microsoft Store in Windows. 

Apps that have been rebuilt for Windows Arm-based PCs will have the best performance.  Many of the top Windows apps have been rebuilt for Windows Arm-based PCs already and more are on the way. 

Other apps that have not been built for Windows Arm-based PCs will run seamlessly using emulation.  Windows 11 Arm-based PCs running Windows 11 24H2 include the Prism emulator for improved performance for emulated applications. 

There are some limitations when you run a Windows 11 Arm-based PC:

• Drivers for hardware, games and apps will only work if they're designed for a Windows 11 Arm-based PC. For more info, check with the hardware manufacturer or the organization that developed the driver. Drivers are software programs that communicate with hardware devices—they're commonly used for antivirus and antimalware software, printing or PDF software, assistive technologies, CD and DVD utilities, and virtualization software.
  If a driver doesn’t work, the app or hardware that relies on it won’t work either (at least not fully). Peripherals and devices only work if the drivers they depend on are built into Windows 11, or if the hardware developer has released Arm64 drivers for the device.

• Certain games won’t work. Games and apps may not work if they rely on "anti-cheat" drivers that haven't been made for Windows 11 Arm-based PCs. Check with your game publisher to see if a game will work or check www.worksonwoa.com for a crowdsourced view of game compatibility.

• Apps that customize the Windows experience might have problems. This includes some input method editors (IMEs), assistive technologies, and cloud storage apps. The organization that develops the app determines whether their app will work on a Windows 11 Arm-based PC.

• Some third-party antivirus software can’t be installed. You won't be able to install some third-party antivirus software on a Windows 11 Arm-based PC—unless it’s been made or updated for an Arm-based PC. However, Windows Security will help keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 11 device.

• Windows Fax and Scan isn’t available. This feature isn’t available on a Windows 11 Arm-based PC.

Yes, you can. Windows 11 Arm-based PCs supports the majority of printers, including printers that support the printing standard Mopria. You can check to see if a printer is Mopria certified at mopria.org. Printers from large printer manufacturers like HP and Xerox have released Printer Support Apps, companion printing apps designed to enhance the Windows print experience.

Peripherals will work if the drivers they depend on are built into Windows 11, or if the hardware developer has released Arm64 drivers for the device. It's a good idea to check whether the hardware developer has published a version of the driver that runs on a Windows 11 Arm-based PC. 

To install the printer, follow the steps at Install a printer in Windows.

Windows 11 provides built-in accessibility features that help you do more on your device. You can also find assistive technology apps in the Microsoft Store in Windows, such as the OneStep Reader and the Read&Write extension for Microsoft Edge—and we're working to offer more apps soon.

You can check the Microsoft Store or contact your assistive software vendor to see if your preferred assistive technology apps are available for a Windows 11 Arm-based PC.

You may want to check with the vendor to find out if their app is compatible on a Windows 11 Arm-based PC. Not all assistive technology apps work as expected.

If you use a screen reader, NVDA has updated their app to be compatible on a Windows 11 Arm-based PC. For more info, visit the NV Access website.

Most Windows 11 Arm-based PC can connect to a cellular data network, so you can get online wherever you have a cellular signal. Depending on your PC manufacturer, your PC might use a physical SIM card, an embedded SIM (eSIM), either one, or none.

To determine if your Windows 11 Arm-based PC can connect to a cellular data network

• Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & internet > Cellular.
  If you don’t see Cellular listed in Network & internet settings, then your PC doesn’t have a physical SIM card slot or eSIM. You won’t be able to get a cellular connection.

To determine if your Windows 11 Arm-based PC uses a SIM, eSIM, or either

• In Cellular settings, look for a drop-down box Use this SIM for cellular data:

  • If the drop-down box appears: You have more than one way to connect to cellular data—SIM card, eSIM, or both. Select the drop-down box and see which ones are listed.

  • If the drop-down box doesn’t appear: You have a SIM or an eSIM. Look under Cellular in Connection settings and see if SIM or eSIM appears.

To find out more about your PC, visit your PC manufacturer’s website.

For more info about getting connected using cellular data, see Cellular settings in Windows or Use an eSIM to get a cellular data connection on your Windows PC.

To see if your device will work on your mobile operator's network, check the hardware manufacturer's website or your mobile operator's website.

There are a couple of options available for using Windows 11 with Mac computers built with M1, M2, and M3 chips. 

Customers have the option to run Windows 11 on a Cloud PC through Windows 365 service. This is the most secure and fully compatible option available. 

Customers can also use Parallels® Desktop for Mac, which enables users to run Arm-versions of Windows 11 in a virtual machine. Some Windows 11 features - including certain security features -may not be available or fully functional when using Parallels® Desktop for Mac.

Learn more about the options available and some of the limitations that apply.

To get started and learn more about creating apps for Windows Arm-based PCs, see Windows on Arm: Overview on the Microsoft Learn website.

After you create your app for Windows Arm-based PCs, you'll need to build and test it. Many manufacturers sell Arm-based devices, including the Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon X series processors.  Developers can also opt for the Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows for development and testing or use virtual machines in Azure.

Developers can leverage App Assure’s Arm Advisory Service to learn best practices while developing apps for Arm-based PCs.  

For help when developing applications for Arm64, developers can utilize App Assure (part of FastTrack)—an application compatibility program that helps to unblock application issues through technical support. Learn more about this program and what products are included at aka.ms/AppAssure.