Microsoft’s timing is deliberate: with Windows 10’s end-of-support deadline looming, Redmond is using the upgrade window to reposition Copilot+ PCs — and in particular Arm-powered machines such as the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 — as not just optional refresh buys but a strategic migration target for mainstream users and businesses alike.
Microsoft has set a hard lifecycle date for Windows 10 that creates a practical deadline for millions of PCs and IT shops. Staying on an out‑of‑support OS raises real security and compliance risks, while upgrading or replacing hardware becomes a near-term operational requirement for many organizations.
At the same time, the last 18–24 months have seen a concentrated push around Windows on Arm: tighter collaboration between Microsoft, silicon partners (notably Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X family), OEMs, and independent software vendors (ISVs). That work targeted two long-standing blockers for Arm adoption — native app availability and compatibility for legacy x86/x64 applications. The result, Microsoft argues, is that the Arm ecosystem is no longer a niche experiment but a practical option for large swathes of users.
Microsoft has also highlighted the breadth of mainstream apps that now run natively on Windows on Arm, across categories such as security, VPNs, management, productivity, creative tools, and entertainment. Representative examples being called out include:
Key steps that Microsoft and the community recommend:
Source: Neowin Microsoft has a strong reason for you to switch from Windows 10 to Arm-powered PCs
Background: why the moment matters
Microsoft has set a hard lifecycle date for Windows 10 that creates a practical deadline for millions of PCs and IT shops. Staying on an out‑of‑support OS raises real security and compliance risks, while upgrading or replacing hardware becomes a near-term operational requirement for many organizations.At the same time, the last 18–24 months have seen a concentrated push around Windows on Arm: tighter collaboration between Microsoft, silicon partners (notably Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X family), OEMs, and independent software vendors (ISVs). That work targeted two long-standing blockers for Arm adoption — native app availability and compatibility for legacy x86/x64 applications. The result, Microsoft argues, is that the Arm ecosystem is no longer a niche experiment but a practical option for large swathes of users.
Overview: what Microsoft is claiming — and what it actually means
Microsoft’s headline claim — that Arm-native programs account for roughly 90% of the time users spend on Arm PCs — is meant to signal that the ecosystem has moved beyond raw app counts and into usage‑weighted maturity. In plain terms, the apps people actually use most (browsers, Office suites, media and messaging apps) are now available in Arm-native builds or hybrid Arm64EC builds, and that’s what drives most user minutes. This reframing is important: a long tail of tiny utilities matters far less to everyday experience than a handful of dominant apps running natively.Microsoft has also highlighted the breadth of mainstream apps that now run natively on Windows on Arm, across categories such as security, VPNs, management, productivity, creative tools, and entertainment. Representative examples being called out include:
- Security: 1Password, ESET, Bitwarden, Malwarebytes, Cisco Secure Endpoint, ReasonLabs.
- VPNs: Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Private Internet Access, OpenVPN.
- Management: VMware Tools, Microsoft Intune, Citrix Workspace.
- Productivity: Google Drive, Trello, Slack, Dropbox, Microsoft 365, LibreOffice.
- Creative: Adobe Creative Cloud (progressively), Blender, Figma, DaVinci Resolve, GIMP.
- Entertainment & comms: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Spotify, WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Chrome.
The technical pivot: Prism, NPUs, and the Snapdragon X class
Prism emulator — closing the compatibility gap
A central technical enabler for recent progress is Microsoft’s reworked emulator, commonly referred to as Prism. Unlike earlier emulation efforts, Prism aims to be faster and more capable, exposing a richer virtual CPU environment to emulated x64 programs and supporting a larger set of instruction extensions (AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, F16C). In practical terms, that means many previously fragile x64 workloads can now run under emulation with fewer errors and better performance than older emulators allowed. Prism also includes translation caching and optimizations targeted at current Snapdragon X‑class silicon.This is consequential because a thin native-app catalog was only half the problem: the other half was that classic x64 applications either refused to run or performed poorly under emulation. Prism aims to blunt that disadvantage, letting many legacy apps function acceptably while ISVs provide native builds for high‑value software.On‑device AI: NPUs and Copilot+ differentiation
Copilot+ PCs and Snapdragon X‑class designs emphasize on-device neural processing units (NPUs). These NPUs handle AI workloads locally for features like transcription, intelligent code suggestions, local image generation and editing, and other Copilot-driven experiences — reducing latency and improving privacy for some tasks compared with cloud-only inference. For users who value those AI features and the battery/standby characteristics of Arm silicon, NPUs are a practical differentiator.Silicon and thermals: performance is contextual
It’s important to stress that Arm’s advantages are not universal. Emulation still adds overhead, and heavy, multi-threaded compute work (large video renders, complex simulations, high‑end gaming) can favor higher‑TDP x86 processors paired with discrete GPUs. Device thermal design plays a major role: an Arm SoC in a thin fanless design may perform differently to the same SoC in a larger, actively cooled chassis. Buyers should evaluate the specific SKU and workload, not just the architecture.App compatibility: the biggest blocker — and how to check it
The single most cited barrier to Arm adoption has always been software compatibility. That worry persists, but the risk profile has shifted: it’s now practical to validate before purchase rather than assume Arm will be incompatible.Key steps that Microsoft and the community recommend:
- Inventory critical apps and drivers used daily (productivity, VPN, EDR, industry-specific tools).
- Check for Arm-native builds or Arm64EC availability — the latter can let apps link to legacy x64 components while running primarily native.
- Validate kernel‑mode drivers and specialized peripherals, which remain the hardest items to port. If a device requires a kernel‑mode x86 driver with no Arm64 equivalent, that’s a hard stop.
Practical migration guidance: how to decide, pilot, and buy
A simple decision checklist
- Is the device currently on Windows 10 and subject to the end‑of‑support deadline? If so, either upgrade the OS (if supported) or plan replacement.
- Do your primary tasks benefit from better battery life, instant resume, or on‑device AI? If yes, Arm Copilot+ devices are attractive.
- Do any critical apps or peripherals require x86 kernel drivers or 32‑bit-only components? If yes, delay wide migration until vendors provide Arm64 support.
Recommended pilot plan for IT and power users
- Select a representative pilot group (10–25 users) that reflects the broadest set of roles and workloads in your organization. Run the pilot on the exact Copilot+/Snapdragon SKU you’ll consider buying.
- Test core productivity flows (Office suites, auth/SSO, VPN, Intune/Autopilot), security clients (EDR), and any line‑of‑business apps or plugins. Record performance, plugin behavior, and driver issues.
- Validate multimedia and creative workflows on real project files to assess plugin parity (Adobe plugins, DaVinci Resolve GPU acceleration, etc.). Emulation can make apps run, but plugin compatibility and hardware acceleration differences may remain.
What to look for when buying an Arm PC
- Prefer Snapdragon X Elite / X Plus or comparable SoCs for the best emulation and native performance balance.
- Choose devices with balanced thermal designs (active cooling when heavy workloads are expected).
- Confirm vendor support for Arm64 drivers for mission‑critical peripherals (audio interfaces, printing/scan fleets, security dongles).
Enterprise concerns and risk mitigation
Large organizations have additional complexity to manage. Many enterprise security, management, and virtualization stacks contain kernel‑mode or low‑level components that historically assumed x86. For enterprises thinking about Arm:- Run line‑of‑business compatibility inventories and vendor discussions before committing to fleet purchases.
- Use phased pilots and maintain rollback plans, including ESU (Extended Security Updates) enrollment for Windows 10 if needed, to avoid gaps in protection while migrations complete.
- Treat Copilot+ Arm devices as an addition to the hardware portfolio rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all replacement — pick the right device for each role.
What’s improved — and what still needs work
Notable strengths
- Battery life and mobile experience: Arm Copilot+ devices deliver tangible battery and standby advantages for mobile users, often surpassing x86 machines of similar thickness. This is a major win for road warriors, students, and anyone prioritizing battery life.
- On‑device AI features: NPUs enable Copilot experiences that are low‑latency and privacy‑friendly for tasks that can be run locally. This differentiates Copilot+ devices from generic x86 laptops without NPUs.
- App ecosystem focus: Mainstream apps that account for most user minutes — browsers, Office, media, collaboration tools — are now mostly available as Arm-native or optimized builds, which meaningfully reduces friction.
Remaining limitations and risks
- Emulation overhead and variability: Prism improves compatibility but does not guarantee parity. Heavy compute and GPU-bound workloads can still favor x86 + discrete GPU platforms. Expect workload-dependent variation.
- Driver and peripheral gaps: Specialized hardware still lags in Arm64 drivers; these are often the showstoppers. Validate peripherals before fleet purchases.
- Enterprise software inertia: Some enterprise stacks may not be feasible to port quickly, especially solutions that rely on kernel‑mode x86 components. Those cases require vendor engagement or phased migration plans.
Claim verification and an important caution
Microsoft’s “90% of user minutes in native apps” is an impactful metric, but it is a usage‑weighted, company-provided figure and the underlying methodology is not public in detail. That matters because the metric is designed to reassure buyers about day‑to‑day experience, not to claim universal parity for every niche app. Treat such corporate metrics as directional and helpful — but validate against your own usage patterns.Similarly, claims around specific app support and performance improvements are corroborated by Microsoft and independent commentators, but the practical reality often depends on specific app versions, plugins, drivers, and the exact device SKU. Emulation demonstrations and staged vendor examples are useful indicators, but they are not blanket guarantees for every configuration. purchasers should verify with representative testing.Real-world scenarios: who should consider switching, and who should wait
- Best fit today:
- Mobile workers, students, and road professionals who value battery life, instant resume, and on-device AI features.
- Users whose daily workflows are covered by mainstream, Arm‑native apps (browsers, Office, Slack, Dropbox, streaming apps).
- IT teams running pilots with validated vendor support for security and management tooling.
- Who should be cautious:
- Power users who rely on heavy CPU/GPU workloads (large video renders, compute-heavy compilations) unless the chosen device has the thermal and GPU horsepower to match the workload.
- Enterprises with legacy, x86-only kernel‑mode tooling or specialized hardware lacking Arm64 drivers.
Quick checklist for buyers (90‑second guide)
- Inventory critical apps and peripherals.
- Check Arm-native availability and compatibility trackers for your apps.
- Pilot with representative users on the exact Copilot+/Snapdragon SKU.
- Validate management, EDR, VPN and SSO flows (Autopilot/Intune).
- Confirm rollback options and ESU paths for Windows 10 if needed.
Verdict: a defensible, targeted migration — not a one‑size‑fits‑all flip
Microsoft’s push to position Copilot+ Arm devices as the natural choice for many Windows 10 upgraders is grounded in real engineering and ecosystem progress: a faster, richer emulator (Prism), a growing body of Arm-native apps, and distinct hardware advantages in battery life and on-device AI via NPUs. For mainstream users whose critical workloads align with the apps that have been prioritized for Arm, the calculus has shifted — Arm is now a viable, often preferable option.However, the move is not universal. Emulation still matters, drivers and kernel‑mode components remain the trickiest parts of migration, and performance parity is workload-dependent. The right approach for most organizations and power users is a pragmatic one: pilot first, validate thoroughly, and treat Copilot+ Arm devices as complementary to x86 hardware in a heterogeneous fleet.Conclusion: how to act in the next 90 days
The Windows 10 end‑of‑support deadline creates a scheduling imperative. For those who must replace hardware, the decision is no longer purely architectural dogma — it is a measured, workload-driven procurement choice. Arm-powered Copilot+ PCs are now a credible and strategically valuable option for many users; the time to evaluate them is during the next upgrade cycle, not after. Run focused pilots, validate the apps and peripherals that matter, and use the new compatibility tooling and community trackers to make a data-driven choice. If the pilot results line up with your real workloads, Copilot+ Arm devices will likely deliver a superior mobile experience — and for many, that will be reason enough to switch.Source: Neowin Microsoft has a strong reason for you to switch from Windows 10 to Arm-powered PCs
