Windows 11 on ARM: Microsoft announces that users are now spending 90% of their time using native software.

In the last months, Microsoft has doubled down on Windows 11 on ARM., ensuring that the experience is already largely native and that the app catalog is growing at a good pace. Between the push of the new Snapdragon X-powered Copilot+ PCs and the arrival of more Arm64 versions of popular software, the landscape for those who value autonomy and efficient performance has changed significantly compared to the initial attempts.

In addition, it is finally possible to download the official Windows 11 ISO image for ARM directly from the Microsoft website, facilitating both clean installs and virtualization. This move comes after years of limitations—Windows RT and the first iterations of Windows 10 on ARM—and is accompanied by clear instructions, compatibility warnings, and recommendations on drivers and requirements.

What does it mean that 90% is native in Windows 11 on ARM?

When it is said that Windows 11 users on ARM spend "90% on native software", it is said that Most of the time is spent on applications compiled specifically for Arm64, without relying on emulation. This translates to faster boot times, lower power consumption, and a smoother experience, especially on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Plus and Elite.

Microsoft highlights that today there are more native Arm64 applications than ever before, including quick versions of Microsoft 365 (Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive, and OneNote) and a growing list of third-party software like Chrome, Slack, Spotify, Zoom, WhatsAppBlender, Affinity Suite, or DaVinci Resolve. Compatibility is expanding, covering productivity, creativity, and communication tasks.

For those apps that have not yet made the leap, it comes into play the Prism emulation engine, an improved emulation engine available on Copilot+ devices with Snapdragon X and coming to more devices with Windows 11. The goal is that, even emulated, x86/x64 applications perform better than on previous ARM generations, reducing bottlenecks and maintaining an acceptable experience while the ecosystem finishes nativizing.

If you want to check what works, there is a community resource that aggregates compatibility: www.worksonwoa.com. It is an open repository where Microsoft contributes data, and where you can see at a glance Apps and games that run well on Windows on ARM, whether native or emulated.

Download and install Windows 11 ISO for ARM

Until recently, obtaining an ISO was reserved for Windows Insider Program members or internal virtualization workflows like VMware Fusion on ARM. Now, from the Microsoft website you can select the appropriate version and click "Download Now" to get the ISO file and create a USB Boot or mount it on your system to upgrade or install from scratch.

First of all, make sure you have the following: Internet connection, sufficient space on the computer or external drive, and an empty USB stick of at least 8 GB If you're creating an installation media, Microsoft recommends that this drive be empty because the process will delete its contents during the creation of the bootable USB.

Also check that the PC meets the basics: a 64-bit ARM-based processor (Arm64) if you're using the Arm64 ISO, and the minimum Windows 11 requirements. To check your system type, go to Settings > System > About, or search for "System Information." Remember Microsoft's warning: installing Windows 11 on a equipment that does not meet the minimum requirements may cause compatibility issues and leave the device unsupported and without updates.

Once the download is complete, you can use the option "Check the download" to validate the file integrity. This helps prevent installation errors due to corrupted files, which is especially useful if you're preparing a Bootable USB or you are going to mount the ISO to update the current system.

If you are going to install directly from the ISO without USB, you can «Mount» the file and launch setup.exe to start the wizard. Quick steps: go to the folder where you downloaded the ISO, right-click > Properties; on the General tab, click "Change..." under "Opens with" and select Windows Explorer, apply, right-click again and select "Mount". You will see a virtual disk with the installation files and you will be able to double-click setup.exe to start the process.

System requirements and hardware compatibility

Windows 11 raised the bar compared to Windows 10. It requires UEFI with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, modern CPU (Intel 8th Gen or higher, AMD Zen+ or higher, or Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 or higher) and at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. On ARM, remember: this ISO is for devices with Arm64 processors; does not work for x86-64.

• CPU: 64-bit (x86-64 or ARM64). On ARM: Snapdragon 850 or higher.
• RAM: minimum 4 GB (recommended 8 GB or more).
• Storage: 64 GB or more.
• Firmware: UEFI and Secure Boot enabled.
• TPMs: version 2.0.
• Graphics: DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
• Display: 720p, 9 inches or larger, 8 bits per color channel.
• touchpad: precision panel for system gestures.
• Microsoft account and connection: Required for initial setup on Home and Pro since 22H2.

There are also additional requirements for certain functions. For example, Direct Storage order high-performance NVMe SSD and GPU with DX12 Ultimate and Shader Model 6.0; 5G requires compatible modem; Windows Hello requires IR camera or fingerprint reader; Wi‑Fi 6E/7 demands hardware and drivers new; and wireless projection requires Wi‑Fi Direct compatible with WDDM 2.0.

With the arrival of functions of AI and Copilot Built into Windows 11, some advanced features require 16GB of RAM and an NPU, and in certain cases are geared toward Snapdragon X processors. It is not required to install the system, but it is required to unlock specific AI experiences.

Also take into account less visible but important nuances: Windows 11 no longer supports IA-32 (32-bit) as a system platform, although you can still run 32-bit applications; the BIOS Legacy is left out and UEFI is required; and some brands have criticized the mandatory nature of the precision touchpad because it leaves out models without that hardware despite being high-end.

Drivers, older Snapdragons, and manufacturer advice

If your ARM device is older—for example, with Previous Snapdragons to family X—clean install may require inject drivers into the imageIt's a somewhat technical task—Microsoft documents the process step-by-step on its Learn site—but it's worth considering if you're not comfortable with DISM and driver packages.

In any case, always visit the manufacturer's website of your computer before updating or installing clean. They usually publish Updated drivers, BIOS/UEFI and compatibility notesIf there are official utilities for preparing the update, it's a good idea to use them to avoid surprises.

Windows 11 on ARM for Developers: Common Questions

If you're developing, the big question is: should I build an ARM version? The short answer is: Yes, if you want optimal performance and experienceWhile Windows 11 on ARM emulates both x86 and x64, there is no substitute for a native Arm64 build in terms of power, boot, and resource usage.

How to get started: add a Arm64 build configuration in your project (C++/C#/UWP/WinUI, depending on what you use). In C++, it's a good idea to check for third-party dependencies; if any of them block you, look for alternatives with Arm64 support or evaluate temporary wrappers. There are specific Microsoft guides for porting C++ apps to ARM.

About drivers: Emulation does not cover drivers. If your app depends on a controller or filter, you will need to native Arm64 support for that component. Check with your vendors or develop a migration plan; there are no shortcuts here.

Does Visual Studio work on ARM? The practical answer is that There is support for key scenarios and can be developed and debugged on Arm64, including deployment and debugging on ARM devices or Arm64 VMs. Review the matrix of supported workloads and, if anything is missing, consider using an x64 host targeting Arm64.

Where to install the app? On ARM, there are folders "Program files» specific (e.g. Program Files for Arm64 and variants for x86/x64). Respect the directories by architecture in your installer to ensure correct routes, associations, and performance.

Virtualization on ARM: Virtual Machines and Testing

For tests it is usual to raise a Windows 11 Arm64 VM with QEMU. On Arm64 hardware with Windows 11 it can be used Hyper‑V to host Arm64 VMs, with snapshot and virtual networking support. You cannot run x86‑64 VMs in Hyper‑V on ARM, so when creating the VM make sure to select Arm64 architecture.

If you're into performance analytics, consider what tools you use on ARM. For example, CPU sampling with Windows Performance Recorder On ARM-based Hyper‑V VMs, this has its own considerations; please review the latest documentation to learn which sampling modes are supported and on which builds.

Evolution of Windows on ARM and the current strategy

Microsoft has been looking for a way for Windows to fit into ARM for some time now. RT Windows It was the first commercial attempt and it didn't work out; later came Windows 10 for ARM, but it ran into compatibility limitations and a sparse native catalog. The combination of Windows 11, Copilot+, Snapdragon has finally created a more solid and attractive proposal.

A relevant detail: although Microsoft allowed for years tests of 64-bit apps on Windows 10 ARM, the company has been orienting compatibility and improvements towards Windows 11. In practice, the message is clear: If you want to run 64-bit apps on ARM hardware with the best compatibility, upgrade to Windows 11. Although there are transition periods, the new features and compatibility adjustments are concentrated in the current version.

What's new, what's changed, and what's highlighted in Windows 11

Windows 11 introduced an interface based on Fluent Design, with translucency, shadows, a new color palette, revamped icons, and the material "Mica». Also arriving is a Start Menu focused on pinned apps and recent documents, and a window management Enhanced with Snap Layouts and groups that you can minimize and restore as a single entity.

The taskbar is center-aligned by default and docked to the bottom edge. The Widgets panel replaces the old Live Tiles and notifications and quick actions are accessed from WIN+N and WIN+A. File Explorer abandoned the ribbon in favor of a simplest bar and refined context menus.

In the Microsoft Store, Microsoft opened the door to Win32, PWA, and UWP apps in a single catalog, in addition to support for applications of Android through Amazon Appstore and the Subsystem for Windows for Android (WSA) —with hardware requirements—. It also continues to evolve Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which allows you to run ELF binaries natively.

In security, Windows 11 demands TPM 2.0, VBS, HVCI, and Secure Boot enabled by default on modern computers, and takes advantage of CPU-level mitigations that emerged after vulnerabilities such as Meltdown and Spectre. In addition, it integrates Windows Hello for biometric authentication and strengthens protection against firmware attacks.

There was controversy over the complexity to change the default browser in early versions and by the integration of Edge and Bing. In the EU, regulators have forced Microsoft to allow uninstallation of Edge, Bing, and ads in the interest of users.

Classic components were also removed or modified: goodbye to Internet Explorer, Cortana, 3D Viewer, Paint 3D (pre-installed), WordPad (removed), and functions such as traditional tablet mode, Timeline, Aero Peek or moving the taskbar to other borders. SMBv1 support is restricted for security reasons, and some shortcuts on the toolbar have been simplified or removed.

In the educational field it appeared Windows 11SE, designed for affordable Intune-managed devices, with 1 TB of OneDrive, a simplified interface, full-screen apps, and no Microsoft Store (the software is provisioned by IT). Enterprise editions like Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education and specific variants (e.g., IoT, Workstation, N, and Single Language), each with their own policies and capabilities.

Regarding activation, the "digital license" method is now called digital authorization, coexisting with the product key. You can check the key via PowerShell o CMD And if your device is already linked to your Microsoft account, activation is usually automatic after reinstallations.

Performance, gaming, and adoption

In general use, many testers have found a more coherent design and useful improvements in windows, animations, and productivity, although inconsistencies persist between the new Settings panel and legacy applets. Where there is debate is in the gaming performance: Some titles perform better on Windows 10 than 11 in certain scenarios, and consoles portable handheld type have put the focus on the out-of-the-box experience.

In the PC ecosystem, SteamOS on Steam Deck offers an interface very adapted to the portable format, while Windows 11 still drags settings that the user has to fine-tune for pure gaming. Even so, the platform evolves rapidly and the experience depends a lot on the hardware, drivers and player profile.

The adoption of Windows 11 was progressive, partly due to stricter hardware requirements and the perception that Windows 10 was “already fine.” In fact, Microsoft has pushed with warnings and pop-ups to speed up migration before Windows 10’s end of life. With the push of Copilot+ and the strengthening the ARM ecosystem, interest has been revived, but the transition is still asymmetrical by region and segment.

For ARM users, the current combo —more native apps, refined Prism, official ISO and better documentation—reduces friction and enables previously complex scenarios, from clean installations to Arm64 virtualization for development and testing.

Looking at the whole, Windows 11 on ARM has matured Notably, the official ISO, the native push of key apps (Microsoft 365, Chrome, Slack, creative), Prism support, the developer guide, and the growing compatibility with recent hardware paint a much more solid picture than in the past. Those coming from older Snapdragon models should keep an eye on drivers and requirements, but today the platform offers a realistic foundation for working, studying, and creating with good performance and improved power efficiency.