With the emergence of particularly computationally intensive AI applications, Microsoft is now also relying on particularly energy-efficient processors. They are known from smartphones and tablets: the so-called arm chips. So far, Windows computers have almost exclusively contained so-called x86 chips. Now Windows 11 can also handle Arm processors.
This wouldn't actually need to be taken into account if it weren't for the compatibility issue. Because of different instruction sets, x68 programs do not run automatically on Arm computers and vice versa – regardless of whether they are image editors, Office packages, browsers or even games.
Database lists Arm programs
As the owner of a Windows computer with an Arm processor, you can check whether a program was written or at least rewritten specifically for Arm chips on the website “Windowsonarm.org”, which of course does not claim to be complete.
Programs written for Arm processors are also called native software for Arm computers. You can fully utilize the potential of Arm processors.
x86 programs also run, but have to be emulated
All x86 programs, on the other hand, must be emulated to work on Arm computers. This means that extra software (emulator) has to run, which acts as if it were an x86 computer.
Of course, this simulation costs extra computing power and energy. I doubt that the respective program also runs slower. However, the Arm processors are so powerful that users should hardly have any problems in everyday life.
Microsoft promises a “significantly” improved emulator
Microsoft also promises that the emulator called Prism, which is in Windows 11 (24H2), has been “significantly” optimized in terms of performance and processor utilization compared to previous Windows emulations.
However, there can be software problems with devices that are supposed to be connected to the Arm computer, such as printers and scanners – especially if they are older models.
Be careful with the peripherals: Drivers cannot be emulated
Since drivers generally cannot be emulated, if in doubt you should ask the manufacturer whether there are or will be Arm drivers if you need or want to continue using certain devices.
