ARM version Windows will get support for ARM64 apps in May

Microsoft will release an SDK in May that will allow developers to create 64-bit ARM apps for Windows 10 on ARM. Microsoft makes that known. So far, only 32bit apps run on the Windows version.

Microsoft will officially unveil the SDK at its Build developer conference in May. Developers can convert Universal Windows Apps and Win32 programs to ARM64 versions, Erin Chappie, general manager for Windows, told Engadget.

Currently, Windows on ARM only supports 32bit apps: the ARM versions directly and x86 programs via emulation. Major speed improvements are not to be expected with the arrival of ARM64 apps. Microsoft has not yet announced support for x64 software on Windows on ARM via emulation.

In December 2016, Microsoft announced that it would release an ARM version of Windows 10. The first products with the OS are so-called Always Connected PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon-socs and lte-modems. Those systems are now starting to become available and should distinguish themselves with long battery life, while the processor performance is not very high in relation to the price.