Audacity 3.7.5 Brings Native ARM64 Support to Windows 11 Devices

Audacity has just taken a major leap forward in software compatibility by officially launching native ARM64 support for Windows 11 devices, arriving in version 3.7.5 of the renowned open-source audio editor. This update signifies a pivotal moment for both Windows on ARM and the wider audio production community, addressing longstanding limitations, introducing vital bug fixes, but also highlighting ongoing challenges in the rapidly evolving world of computer architecture.

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Background: ARM’s Rise and Windows Compatibility​

For years, ARM-based processors have steadily gained ground across the technology landscape, driving everything from smartphones to high-performance laptops. Known for their energy efficiency and compact designs, ARM chips excel at delivering longer battery life and cooler operation compared to the traditional x86 CPUs from Intel and AMD. Microsoft recognized this potential as early as 2012, launching versions of Windows designed to run natively on ARM architecture.
Despite the hardware’s growing mainstream appeal—evident in devices like the Surface Pro X and various new Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops—software support has lagged. Most Windows applications have historically been compiled for x86, leaving ARM users dependent on compatibility layers that sap performance and sometimes introduce instability. In this context, every new natively compiled application marks a significant milestone.

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What’s New in Audacity 3.7.5​

Announced this week, Audacity 3.7.5 delivers full native support for Windows 11 on ARM64 devices, eliminating the need for emulation and promising improved performance and reliability. This follows earlier efforts to bring ARM compatibility to Linux and Apple Silicon—both based on ARM architecture—expanding the horizons for Audacity as a truly cross-platform, open-source tool.

Key Features and Improvements​

• Native ARM64 support for Windows 11: Users running Windows 11 on ARM-powered devices can now take full advantage of Audacity’s capabilities without emulation overhead.
• Expanded platform compatibility: Audacity joins its own Linux ARM and Apple Silicon releases, promoting broader accessibility.
• Critical bug fixes:
• FLAC importer now accommodates 32-bit PCM audio
• Spectrum view rendering no longer causes crashes
• Registration window issues resolved to prevent loss of focus
• Specific crash when importing WAV files (up to 7 ms duration) eliminated
• Macro Wizard stability improved

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Technical Caveats and Limitations​

While the ARM64 release is a big win for Windows 11 users, there are clear caveats and restrictions that potential adopters need to understand before upgrading.

Limited Plugin Support​

At present, the new ARM64 version does not support popular plugin formats like VST or integration with OpenVINO. This means users who rely heavily on extensive plugin ecosystems for professional workflows may face immediate limitations. The development roadmap suggests support is expected in the future, but there’s no confirmed timeline.

FFmpeg Build Compatibility​

Audio editors often require FFmpeg for robust import/export capabilities. The new ARM64 build explicitly needs the ARM64 version of FFmpeg. Many users, especially those installing via Chocolatey or other package managers, may unknowingly grab the x86 variant, resulting in compatibility issues. Manual verification and installation of the correct ARM package become an added step.

Windows Version Restriction​

Audacity 3.7.5’s ARM64 build only works with Windows 11 on ARM. Users of legacy Windows 10 ARM machines or Windows RT are not supported, a reflection of the app’s alignment with Microsoft’s focus on modern platforms.

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The Broader Context: Why Native ARM Software Matters​

The arrival of native ARM support in established, widely-used projects like Audacity is more than a technical curiosity—it’s a crucial marker for the future of Windows computing. ARM devices generally offer:

• Superior energy efficiency: Meaning longer battery life and reduced cooling needs
• Thin and light form factors
• Potential for silent, fanless operation
• Increasingly competitive performance: Matching or beating x86 rivals in everyday tasks

However, without native software, none of these advantages reach their full potential. For audio professionals and hobbyists alike, real-time processing and multitrack work can be severely hampered by the performance overhead of emulation. With Audacity’s new build, users on ARM-powered Windows hardware can expect smoother performance and reduced crashes—provided their workflows stay within the scope of current compatibility.

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Developer Perspective and Community Feedback​

Interestingly, the Audacity team has candidly admitted that its own ability to test on ARM hardware is limited. This is a frank reflection of the current ARM device market, which—though growing—still lags far behind x86 in terms of both variety and developer accessibility. The team’s invitation to the community for early feedback demonstrates the iterative, open-source ethos, but it also means users should be prepared for potential teething issues in real-world use.

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Revisiting Audacity’s Recent History​

Audacity’s journey to this release has been anything but smooth. Four years ago, the project found itself embroiled in controversy around newly introduced telemetry features. Concerns over privacy and data collection triggered a wave of forks—including Tenacity and others—aiming to retain the open, transparent ethos many in the audio community had come to expect.
Most of those forks, however, have since faded into relative obscurity. The original Audacity project has weathered the storm, maintaining far more frequent updates and now leading the charge on ARM platform support. While alternatives like Tenacity remain, their development cadence appears sluggish by comparison.

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Audacity in 2025: The Value of Open-Source and Cross-Platform Tools​

As the technology landscape becomes more fragmented—spanning multiple processor types and operating systems—open-source projects like Audacity play a critical role. By supporting Windows, Linux (including ARM distros), and Apple Silicon, Audacity becomes a truly universal tool for creators, students, and professionals who don’t want their productivity tied to a single hardware vendor or ecosystem.

• Cross-platform freedom: Edit, record, and process audio on any major desktop OS
• Zero cost of entry: Lowering the barrier for experimentation and education
• No vendor lock-in: All users can access the same features regardless of hardware choice

Such flexibility is particularly valuable in educational settings and developing markets, where device heterogeneity is common and budgets are tight.

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Practical Guidance for ARM Windows Users​

For those eager to take advantage of Audacity’s new ARM64 release, several practical steps and precautions are worth keeping in mind:

• Verify your Windows version: Ensure you’re running Windows 11 on ARM, as earlier versions are unsupported.
• Download the correct install package: Always select the ARM64 build from Audacity’s official release page.
• Manually source FFmpeg for ARM64: Avoid using default package manager installs unless you're certain they fetch the ARM-native build.
• Expect evolving plugin support: Monitor release notes for updates on VST and other plugin compatibility in future updates.
• Engage with the community: Report bugs, share feedback, and consult user forums to help shape the continued development of the project.

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The Competitive Software Landscape on Windows ARM​

Audacity’s pioneering move places it ahead of many other popular Windows audio tools, which still lack ARM-native versions. This is particularly striking against the backdrop of Apple, where the move to Apple Silicon drove a rapid industry-wide shift to ARM compatibility across major creative apps. Windows, in contrast, has seen more halting progress, with many publishers deferring ARM support or relying solely on x86 emulation.
The pace of native app adoption is expected to accelerate as more ARM-powered Windows laptops hit the market and Microsoft continues to optimize its ARM platform, including improvements to the compatibility layer for legacy apps. Still, users seeking highly specialized or plugin-heavy professional workflows may continue to encounter hurdles until third-party developers close the gap.

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Looking Ahead: Risks and Opportunities​

There are real risks associated with rapid platform shifts. Fragmentation—where plugins or auxiliary tools only support specific architectures—can disrupt established workflows and frustrate power users. Developers must balance the need for broad compatibility against the realities of finite resources and compiler complexity.
Nevertheless, Audacity’s new ARM64 build marks a turning point. It invites the broader open-source community to test, iterate, and innovate. As more flagship open-source and commercial software migrates to native ARM builds, user experiences will improve, device options will diversify, and the market will enjoy renewed competition.

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Conclusion​

Audacity’s embrace of Windows on ARM is a significant technological and symbolic advance. It acknowledges not just the practical demands of modern users, but also the direction in which personal computing is headed—toward greater efficiency, flexibility, and platform neutrality. While initial limitations and growing pains remain, the foundation has been laid for richer, more accessible audio production across the Windows ecosystem, regardless of processor. For students, hobbyists, and professionals alike, version 3.7.5 is proof that the open-source movement remains as responsive and relevant as ever in shaping the future of desktop computing.

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Source: How-To Geek Audacity Just Joined the ARM Windows Party