Microsoft could be working on bringing Windows 10 desktop to ARM chips

Reading time icon 2 min. read


Readers help support MSpoweruser. We may get a commission if you buy through our links. Tooltip Icon

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help MSPoweruser sustain the editorial team Read more

windows-10-fall-update

A while ago, Microsoft released Windows RT for devices with ARM chips. Windows RT wasn’t successful for the company, and existing Windows RT devices didn’t receive the Windows 10 upgrade either. Now, it seems like Microsoft isn’t done with Windows on ARM chips. A documentation on MSDN reveals Windows 10 for desktop editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education) ARM. In addition to this, the same documentation also lists Windows 10 Mobile x86 and Windows 10 Mobile ARM64, which could be used in the rumored Surface Phone.

https://twitter.com/h0x0d/status/687501104947400704

If you owned a Windows RT device, you probably know that the OS is unable to run Win32 apps – which means, it didn’t really have a ton of apps. Microsoft seems to be working on an x86 compatible subsystem for Windows on ARM-based on x86-to-ARM just-in-time (JIT) emulator, which means, Microsoft may have an emulator which will allow the company to run Win32 apps on Windows 10 ARM devices. However, keep in mind that this was done back in 2013, and may not have any connection with Windows 10 for ARM chips.

It will be interesting to see how Windows 10 for ARM chips work. Of course, Windows 10 Mobile x86 is also quite interesting, and might help Microsoft finally get rid of the “app gap” issue. For now, there aren’t a lot of info on Windows 10 for ARM chips, but more info might start appearing in the coming months. Until then, discuss what you think of Windows 10 ARM in the comment section below.

More about the topics: microsoft, windows, windows rt