Rumor: ARM version Windows gets support for emulation x64 programs

The ARM version of Windows 10 will receive support for the emulation of 64-bit programs for x64 architecture, according to various sources. Currently, the arm version of Windows only emulates x86 programs, but not the Intel and AMD 64bit processor variants.

Support for x64 emulation will come to Windows in 2021, Neowin reports citing its own sources. Twitterer WalkingCat has since shared slides that appear to be from Microsoft’s Ignite conference and also mention the arrival of X64 emulation. That is not yet possible, because it would be too slow for daily use.

The current arm version of Windows 10 only emulates x86 programs. As a result, many games and applications for photo and video editing do not run on computers with arm-socs; they often only come out in 64bit versions for Intel and AMD processors. It’s not clear exactly which programs work and which don’t work on current computers with arm-socs, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro X.

It is unclear how that emulation will work, but programs will run slower with that emulation than the 32-bit variants, Neowin claims. Microsoft will not confirm the information. The company released the arm version of Windows 10 some time ago. The Surface Pro X with Qualcomm SQ1 soc based on ARM architecture will be released this month.