Google’s latest update marks a significant turning point for ARM-powered Windows 11 devices. The tech giant has moved Google Drive out of its beta limbo and into stable territory with a fully ARM-native version. This release will allow users of ARM-based PCs—powered by Snapdragon chips and similar hardware—to seamlessly synchronize files via the familiar Windows File Explorer interface without recourse to workarounds or third-party solutions.
Now, with the official rollout of an ARM64-compiled Google Drive client, Windows 11 users with ARM-based systems (from devices like the Surface Pro, Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, ASUS Zenbook A14, and others) can expect full native support. For users who already installed the beta version, an automatic update to the stable release is on its way. Although the rollout could take up to 15 days from March 24, 2025, this change represents a monumental leap toward a more unified software ecosystem for ARM Windows.
• ARM64 compilation for true native performance on ARM systems
• Enhanced integration with Windows File Explorer, ensuring a seamless user experience
• Reliance on Microsoft’s WebView2 component to render embedded web content like login screens (an integral part of the modern app experience on Windows)
For many users running ARM devices, the absence of native applications has been a persistent thorn. Leveraging Microsoft's WebView2—or installing it when prompted—ensures that even intricate aspects of the Google Drive client, such as cloud file management and user authentication, work without a hitch.
With Google Drive now fully supported, the broader ecosystem of apps is also catching up. Major applications across the board have embraced the ARM architecture:
• Google Chrome and other browsers have long moved to ARM-native versions, ensuring faster start-up and improved battery efficiency.
• High-demand productivity and creative software like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Blender, and GIMP have also released ARM-native editions or enhancements.
• Even some gaming titles, though still predominantly reliant on x86 emulation, are beginning to see optimizations for ARM platforms, thanks in part to collaborations on technologies like Epic’s Easy Anti-Cheat.
The Google Drive update signifies that developers are taking ARM hardware seriously. As more companies fine-tune their products for ARM Windows, users can expect improved performance and fewer compatibility workarounds across the board.
This development exemplifies the broader industry trend towards empowering mobile computing. The future is increasingly about having full-featured, lightweight, and energy-efficient devices that do not compromise on software quality. With Google Drive now in the stable release phase for ARM, users are likely to see similar improvements soon from various other productivity tools that previously lagged in ARM compatibility.
Moreover, the update reinforces the importance of native application support in ensuring that new hardware innovations reach their full potential. By eliminating the need for emulation layers or beta workarounds, performance improves, integration tightens, and the overall user experience becomes more reliable—benefiting both enterprise users and everyday consumers.
Microsoft and ARM device OEMs, like ASUS, Lenovo, and Dell, are banking on these improvements to differentiate their products in a competitive market. With native support for critical applications like Google Drive, the viability of ARM-driven productivity laptops and ultrabooks is considerably boosted. In a landscape where cloud computing, remote work, and mobile productivity are more important than ever, such updates are not just technical enhancements; they’re a necessary evolution.
• The update brings native ARM64 support, leading to improved performance, stability, and seamless integration with Windows File Explorer.
• Microsoft WebView2 plays a crucial role in ensuring the client’s functionality, reinforcing the interdependence of modern cloud-based applications and Windows components.
• The move underscores a broader industry shift: as ARM Windows devices become more prevalent, more software vendors are optimizing for non-x86 architectures—a trend that will only accelerate in the coming years.
For users invested in ARM Windows 11, the promise is clear: a future where the powerful, energy-efficient ARM architecture and robust, feature-rich applications share common ground. And as each new update unfolds, the line between performance trade-offs and innovation continues to blur.
In this rapidly evolving technological landscape, every update has ripple effects. Google’s move to stabilize Google Drive on ARM Windows isn’t just a minor tweak—it’s a definitive step toward a more seamless, integrated, and future-proof computing experience. As more developers follow this lead, the days of compatibility woes may soon be a thing of the past, allowing for a truly unified digital workspace that spans all hardware architectures.
Source: How-To Geek Google Drive Is Finally Stable on ARM Windows 11
A New Chapter for ARM Windows 11
In recent years, Windows 11 on ARM has consistently promised improved battery life, performance, and mobility. Yet, one perennial issue remained: software compatibility. Despite Microsoft’s success with its x86 emulation layers that let most desktop apps run on ARM, some applications—especially those that integrate deeply with Windows Explorer—struggled to deliver a smooth user experience. Google Drive was one of those tools that, until now, had been relegated to a beta release for ARM devices.Now, with the official rollout of an ARM64-compiled Google Drive client, Windows 11 users with ARM-based systems (from devices like the Surface Pro, Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, ASUS Zenbook A14, and others) can expect full native support. For users who already installed the beta version, an automatic update to the stable release is on its way. Although the rollout could take up to 15 days from March 24, 2025, this change represents a monumental leap toward a more unified software ecosystem for ARM Windows.
Delving Into the Technical Enhancements
The transition from a beta to a stable release wasn’t just a matter of rebranding. Google’s new ARM-native client has been meticulously optimized to run with the same reliability and performance as its x86 counterparts. Some of the noteworthy technical details include:• ARM64 compilation for true native performance on ARM systems
• Enhanced integration with Windows File Explorer, ensuring a seamless user experience
• Reliance on Microsoft’s WebView2 component to render embedded web content like login screens (an integral part of the modern app experience on Windows)
For many users running ARM devices, the absence of native applications has been a persistent thorn. Leveraging Microsoft's WebView2—or installing it when prompted—ensures that even intricate aspects of the Google Drive client, such as cloud file management and user authentication, work without a hitch.
Overcoming Historical Compatibility Hurdles
Historically, ARM-based Windows devices faced numerous challenges. Early versions of ARM Windows, such as those running on platforms like the Surface RT, encountered compatibility issues that rendered certain apps unusable or unstable. However, the release of the Snapdragon X Elite laptops and similar devices demonstrated that performance and battery life on ARM could match or even exceed expectations—if the software ecosystem caught up.With Google Drive now fully supported, the broader ecosystem of apps is also catching up. Major applications across the board have embraced the ARM architecture:
• Google Chrome and other browsers have long moved to ARM-native versions, ensuring faster start-up and improved battery efficiency.
• High-demand productivity and creative software like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Blender, and GIMP have also released ARM-native editions or enhancements.
• Even some gaming titles, though still predominantly reliant on x86 emulation, are beginning to see optimizations for ARM platforms, thanks in part to collaborations on technologies like Epic’s Easy Anti-Cheat.
The Google Drive update signifies that developers are taking ARM hardware seriously. As more companies fine-tune their products for ARM Windows, users can expect improved performance and fewer compatibility workarounds across the board.
Implications for Productivity and Mobile Computing
For professionals constantly on the move and relying on cloud synchronization for their work, the arrival of a stable Google Drive client for ARM Windows is a game changer. Imagine a scenario where your ultra-portable ARM-powered laptop, known for stellar battery efficiency, no longer sacrifices cloud integration quality. Tasks like real-time document editing, file backups, and cross-device synchronization become as straightforward as those on a traditional x86 machine.This development exemplifies the broader industry trend towards empowering mobile computing. The future is increasingly about having full-featured, lightweight, and energy-efficient devices that do not compromise on software quality. With Google Drive now in the stable release phase for ARM, users are likely to see similar improvements soon from various other productivity tools that previously lagged in ARM compatibility.
Moreover, the update reinforces the importance of native application support in ensuring that new hardware innovations reach their full potential. By eliminating the need for emulation layers or beta workarounds, performance improves, integration tightens, and the overall user experience becomes more reliable—benefiting both enterprise users and everyday consumers.
Broader Impacts on the Windows Ecosystem
This release isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a wave of updates and optimizations aimed at making ARM Windows a fully viable alternative to traditional architectures. Major tech companies are increasingly investing in optimizing their software libraries to run on ARM chips. The transition is reminiscent of earlier pivotal shifts in technology—when compatibility and performance gaps shrink, innovation accelerates.Microsoft and ARM device OEMs, like ASUS, Lenovo, and Dell, are banking on these improvements to differentiate their products in a competitive market. With native support for critical applications like Google Drive, the viability of ARM-driven productivity laptops and ultrabooks is considerably boosted. In a landscape where cloud computing, remote work, and mobile productivity are more important than ever, such updates are not just technical enhancements; they’re a necessary evolution.
Key Takeaways
• Google Drive is now officially stable on ARM Windows 11, marking the transition from beta testing to full release.• The update brings native ARM64 support, leading to improved performance, stability, and seamless integration with Windows File Explorer.
• Microsoft WebView2 plays a crucial role in ensuring the client’s functionality, reinforcing the interdependence of modern cloud-based applications and Windows components.
• The move underscores a broader industry shift: as ARM Windows devices become more prevalent, more software vendors are optimizing for non-x86 architectures—a trend that will only accelerate in the coming years.
Looking to the Future
The evolution of ARM Windows is a story of gradual improvements, guided by both hardware advancements and software ingenuity. With the stable release of Google Drive as a pivotal milestone, attention now turns to how other essential applications will follow suit. Will the productivity suite be fully optimized for ARM? Can traditional x86-dependent software close the gap for an ever-maturing ARM ecosystem?For users invested in ARM Windows 11, the promise is clear: a future where the powerful, energy-efficient ARM architecture and robust, feature-rich applications share common ground. And as each new update unfolds, the line between performance trade-offs and innovation continues to blur.
In this rapidly evolving technological landscape, every update has ripple effects. Google’s move to stabilize Google Drive on ARM Windows isn’t just a minor tweak—it’s a definitive step toward a more seamless, integrated, and future-proof computing experience. As more developers follow this lead, the days of compatibility woes may soon be a thing of the past, allowing for a truly unified digital workspace that spans all hardware architectures.
Source: How-To Geek Google Drive Is Finally Stable on ARM Windows 11
