What you need to know
- Windows 10 on ARM is getting an updated emulator with 64-bit app support.
- It's entering public preview today with build 21277.
- ARM PCs can download it now via the Insider Dev Channel.
Microsoft has today announced the first preview build of Windows 10 on ARM to support 64-bit app emulation in addition to the x86 emulation layer already available. The updated app emulation later will allow Windows 10 devices powered by an ARM processor to run 64-bit apps that were compiled for Intel and AMD processors, meaning more apps can now run on Windows 10 on ARM as a result.
Previously, Windows 10 on ARM PCs were limited to ARM32, ARM64, and x86 compiled applications. This meant that any Windows app that was compiled for 64-bit Windows only wasn't able to run on Windows 10 on ARM. With the new emulation layer going into preview today, 64-bit Windows apps will now run on Windows 10 on ARM devices, albeit with lesser performance as the OS is emulating those apps, and not translating them on the fly like macOS does.
Microsoft is still recommending app developers compile their apps natively for Windows 10 on ARM as that will provide users with the best experience when it comes to app performance. But for those app developers who won't or can't, Windows 10 on ARM devices will no longer be left without.
Hari Palupaka, Partner Group Program Manager for Windows said the following:
While developers increasingly support ARM64 apps natively, emulating x64 apps is an important additional step in our journey with Windows 10 on ARM. Through working with Qualcomm Technologies, Windows on ARM PCs continue to deliver incredible battery life, connectivity capabilities with 4G LTE and 5G, and immersive experiences with AI acceleration and pen and touch capabilities – all essential as we are working, learning, and connecting from home and other remote locations.
Microsoft says that apps that have been running under x86 emulation, but have 64-bit compiles available, will benefit from the additional memory that 64-bit apps can take advantage of. This should mean some 64-bit apps that run in emulation perform better than x86 apps, but we'll have to test this ourselves to see if that's reflected in real world tests.
The new emulator is in preview right now, so there will likely be bugs and issues along the way. The first build to include 64-bit emulation is 21277 and is available now for Insiders in the Dev Channel on devices powered by an ARM processor.
