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

In recent months, Microsoft has doubled down on its commitment to Windows 11 on ARM , asserting that the experience is now largely native and that the app catalog is growing rapidly. Between the push for new Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X processors and the arrival of more Arm64 versions of popular software, the landscape for those who value battery life and efficient performance has changed significantly compared to the initial attempts.

Furthermore, it's finally possible to download the official Windows 11 ISO image for ARM directly from the Microsoft website, simplifying both clean installations 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 regarding drivers and requirements.

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

When it's said that Windows 11 users on ARM spend "90% of their time with native software," it means that most of their time is spent using applications specifically compiled 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 processors.

Microsoft highlights that there are now more native Arm64 applications than ever before , including fast versions of Microsoft 365 (Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive, and OneNote) and a growing list of third-party software such as Chrome, Slack, Spotify, Zoom, WhatsApp , Blender, Affinity Suite, and DaVinci Resolve. Compatibility is increasingly broad and covers productivity, creativity, and communication tasks.

For those apps that haven't yet made the leap, the Prism emulation engine comes into play. This improved emulation engine, available on Copilot+ devices with Snapdragon X, is now reaching more Windows 11 devices. The goal is for x86 /x64 applications, even when emulated, to perform better than on previous ARM generations , reducing bottlenecks and maintaining an acceptable experience while the ecosystem finishes nativeizing.

If you want to check what works, there's a community resource that compiles compatibility information: www.worksonwoa.com . It's 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 image was reserved for members of the Windows Insider Program 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 obtain the ISO file and create a bootable USB drive or mount it on your system to upgrade or perform a clean installation.

Before you begin, make sure you have the following: an internet connection , sufficient space on your computer or an external drive, and an empty USB drive of at least 8 GB if you're going to create installation media. Microsoft recommends that this drive be empty because the process will erase its contents during the creation of the bootable USB drive.

Also, make sure your PC meets the basic requirements: 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 computer that doesn't meet the minimum requirements can cause compatibility issues and leave your device without support or updates.

Once the download is complete, you can use the "Check Download" option to verify the file's integrity. This helps prevent installation errors due to corrupted files, which is especially useful if you're preparing a bootable USB drive or mounting the ISO to upgrade your current system.

If you're installing directly from the ISO without a USB drive, you can mount the file and run 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 choose Windows Explorer , apply, right-click again and select "Mount". You'll see a virtual drive with the installation files, and you can 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, a modern CPU ( 8th Gen Intel or later, AMD Zen+ or later, or Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 or later), and at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. For ARM systems, remember: this ISO is for devices with Arm64 processors ; it is not compatible with 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 features. For example, DirectStorage requires a high-performance NVMe SSD and a GPU with DX12 Ultimate and Shader Model 6.0; 5G requires a compatible modem; Windows Hello requires an IR camera or fingerprint reader; Wi-Fi 6E/7 demands new hardware and drivers ; and wireless projection needs Wi-Fi Direct compatible with WDDM 2.0.

With the arrival of AI and Copilot features integrated into Windows 11, some advanced features require 16 GB of RAM and an NPU, and in certain cases are primarily designed for Snapdragon X processors . This isn't mandatory for installing the system, but it is required to unlock specific AI experiences.

Also consider 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; legacy BIOS is out and UEFI is required; and some brands have criticized the requirement for a precision touchpad because it excludes high-end models without that hardware.

Drivers, older Snapdragons, and manufacturer advice

If your ARM device is older—for example, with a Snapdragon processor predating the X series—a clean install might require injecting drivers into the image . It'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 your computer manufacturer's website before updating or performing a clean install. They usually publish updated drivers, BIOS/UEFI updates, and compatibility notes . If there are official utilities to prepare the update, it's a good idea to use them to avoid surprises.

Windows 11 on ARM for Developers: Common Questions

If you're a developer, the big question is: should I create an ARM version? The short answer is yes, if you want optimal performance and experience . Although Windows 11 on ARM emulates x86 and x64, there's no substitute for a native Arm64 build in terms of resource consumption, boot speed, and overall resource usage.

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

Regarding drivers: emulation does not cover drivers. If your app depends on a driver or filter , you'll need 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 it supports key scenarios and you can develop and debug on Arm64, including deployment and debugging on ARM devices or Arm64 VMs. Review the supported workload matrix and, if anything is missing, consider using an x64 host targeting Arm64.

Where should I install the app? On ARM systems, there are specific " Program Files " folders (for example, Program Files for Arm64 and variants for x86/x64). Use the correct directories for your architecture in your installer to ensure proper paths, associations, and performance.

Virtualization on ARM: Virtual Machines and Testing

For testing, it's common to run a Windows 11 Arm64 VM with QEMU . On Windows 11 Arm64 hardware, you can use Hyper-V to host Arm64 VMs, with support for snapshots and virtual networks. You can't run x86-64 VMs on Hyper-V over ARM, so when creating the VM, be sure to select the Arm64 architecture.

If you're involved in performance analytics, consider which tools you're using on ARM. For example, CPU sampling with Windows Performance Recorder on ARM-based Hyper-V VMs has its own specific requirements; check the latest documentation to see which sampling modes are supported and in which builds.

Evolution of Windows on ARM and the current strategy

Microsoft has been searching for a way to bring Windows to ARM for some time. Windows RT was the first commercial attempt, but it didn't take off; later came Windows 10 for ARM , but it ran into compatibility issues and a limited native app catalog. The combination of Windows 11, Copilot+, Snapdragon X, and Prism has finally created a more robust and appealing offering.

One important detail: while Microsoft allowed testing of 64-bit applications on Windows 10 ARM for years , the company has been focusing compatibility and improvements on 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 improvements are concentrated in the current version.

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

Windows 11 introduced a Fluent Design- based interface , featuring translucency, shadows, a new color palette, redesigned icons, and the " Mica " material. It also included a Start Menu focused on pinned apps and recent documents, and improved window management with Snap Layouts and groups that can be minimized and restored as a single entity.

The taskbar is centered by default and docked to the bottom edge. The Widgets panel replaces the old Live Tiles, and notifications and quick actions are accessed via WIN+N and WIN+A. File Explorer has abandoned the ribbon in favor of a simpler toolbar and streamlined context menus.

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

In terms of security, Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, VBS, HVCI, and Secure Boot to be enabled by default on modern computers, and it leverages CPU-level mitigations developed after vulnerabilities such as Meltdown and Spectre. Furthermore, it integrates Windows Hello for biometric authentication and strengthens protection against firmware attacks.

There was controversy surrounding the complexity of changing the default browser in early versions and the integration of Edge and Bing. In the EU, regulators have forced Microsoft to allow users to uninstall Edge, Bing, and ads , citing user interests.

Classic components were also removed or modified: goodbye to Internet Explorer , Cortana, 3D Viewer, Paint 3D (pre-installed), WordPad (removed), and features like traditional tablet mode, Timeline, Aero Peek, or moving the taskbar to other edges. SMBv1 compatibility is restricted for security reasons, and some taskbar shortcuts have been simplified or eliminated.

In the education sector, Windows 11 SE was released , designed for affordable computers managed with Intune, featuring 1 TB of OneDrive storage, a simplified interface, full-screen apps, and no Microsoft Store (IT provides the software). In businesses, editions such as Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education , and specific variants (for example, IoT, Workstation, N, and Single Language) coexist, each with its own policies and capabilities.

Regarding activation, the "digital license" method is now called digital authorization , and it still works alongside the product key. You can retrieve the key via PowerShell or CMD , and if your computer is already linked to your Microsoft account, activation is usually automatic after reinstallation.

Performance, gaming, and adoption

In general use, many testers have found a more consistent 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 gaming performance : some titles perform better on Windows 10 than on 11 in certain scenarios, and handheld consoles have focused on the out-of-the-box experience.

In the PC ecosystem, SteamOS on Steam Deck offers an interface well-suited to the portable format, while Windows 11 still has settings that the user has to fine-tune for pure gaming. Even so, the platform is evolving rapidly, and the experience depends heavily on the hardware, drivers, and player profile.

The adoption of Windows 11 was gradual , partly due to stricter hardware requirements and the perception that Windows 10 was "already good enough." In fact, Microsoft actively encouraged migration with prompts and pop-ups before Windows 10 reached its end of life. With the push for Copilot+ and the strengthening of the ARM ecosystem , interest has been rekindled, but the transition remains uneven across regions and market segments.

For ARM users, the current combo — more native apps , a fine-tuned Prism, an 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 picture, Windows 11 on ARM has matured remarkably: the official ISO, the native support for key apps (Microsoft 365, Chrome, Slack, creative apps), 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 energy efficiency.