Windows 10 on ARM to get partial 64-bit support shortly

Many people believe that ARM PCs are getting trashed in most reviews and on PC enthusiast sites. Microsoft should really make an effort to change these first impressions as they could limit the number of potential ARM customers.

The new ARM 64-bit SDK will reportedly support desktop .exe for instance. Users believe that this should have been present from the beginning, but it’s unlikely to make a difference because, due to lack of incentives, Windows software developers won’t bother compiling for ARM x64.

Users think that the solution would have been to announce a desktop version with a universal .exe that would support 64-bit ARM/c68 so that you would only have to download one .exe or an installer. Such an action is believed to have gotten the attention and some momentum behind it.

Compatibility issues with Windows 10 for ARM

Current lack of support for 64-bit apps results in some compatibility issues with Windows 10 for ARM. Windows 10 for ARM emulates x86 processors by repurposing 64-bit Windows 10’s support for x86 32 bit Win32 apps. Other problems stem from the lack of a 64-bit SDK for ARM apps.

Microsoft’s native applications already are 64-bit ARM code. Microsoft plans to resolve this part of the issue by releasing an SDK for ARM64 apps at the next BUILD conference.

Developers will be able to compile 64-bit apps for PCs on ARM

If Microsoft successfully finishes its plan, developers will get the chance to natively compile 64-bit apps for PCs on ARM. In other words, more applications should gain compatibility. On the other hand, this change alone will not resolve the 64-bit x86 app problem. This means that higher power applications on Windows will still remain restricted for an unknown period of time.

Anyway, users received the news with some excitement, being pleased that Microsoft has at least something in the works for the platform.

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