A version of Windows that runs on CPUs from ARM rather than Intel. ARM CPUs are noted for their lower power requirement, which is why they are the processors in all smartphones and tablets.
Two Developments
Microsoft first introduced Windows running on ARM CPUs in 2012 for Windows 8; however, there was no upgrade path (see
Windows RT). Four years later, Windows on ARM was relaunched for Windows 10 and subsequently Windows 11.
Microsoft Collaborated with Qualcomm
ARM versions of Windows 10 were developed to run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon system-on-chip (SoC), which contains the processor in many Android smartphones and tablets. In 2019, the Microsoft SQ1 was a Qualcomm SoC. In 2023, Microsoft announced that Windows on ARM would run on Apple computers with Apple's ARM-based SoCs (see
Apple M series). See
Surface Pro X,
ARM,
x86 and
Snapdragon.
Windows on ARM Emulates Intel-based Apps
Windows on ARM runs native ARM-based Windows apps; however, it also supports Intel-based apps via emulation. See
x86.