On a Windows 11 ARM PC, first check whether the app has a native ARM64 version, then update the app and Windows before trying compatibility or repair tools. Many Windows apps run on ARM through emulation, but emulation cannot supply a missing ARM64 driver—so a printer, scanner, security tool, assistive feature, or other driver-dependent component can still fail even when the app itself opens.
If you’re asking, “Can I run my Windows apps on my Windows 11 Arm-based PC?” the answer is often yes, though support and performance depend on the app and its hardware dependencies. Microsoft says, “Apps rebuilt for Windows Arm-based PCs have the best performance.”
Why an app may be slow, fail to open, or not install
Windows 11 ARM runs many traditional Windows applications. An app built for ARM64 can run natively; some apps built for other processor architectures run through emulation. A slow launch by itself does not prove that an app is incompatible: an outdated app, damaged installation, or app-specific problem can produce similar symptoms.
Windows 11 version 24H2 includes Microsoft’s Prism emulator, which improves performance for emulated applications. Microsoft’s FAQ describes Prism availability on Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon X series and says it was coming to other Windows 11 devices; availability can depend on the device and Windows release. This is a qualitative improvement, not a guarantee that a particular app will run well.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Versatile 2-in-1 Design: This ergonomic laptop mount is designed to support both notebooks and monitors. With the tray, the laptop stand can hold notebooks up to 17”. Simply remove the tray to accommodate monitors ranging from 13-34” (VESA 75x75mm, 100x100mm) with a weight capacity of 19.8 lbs. The C-clamp fits desks from 0.39” to 2.56” thick, and the grommet mount works with desks up to 2.95”, offering a variety of installation options.
- Full Range of Motion: Effortlessly adjust your laptop or monitor to the perfect angle and height. Tilt it ±45°, swivel ±90°, or rotate it 360°—whatever suits you best. The laptop arm extends up to 18.1” and can reach a maximum height of 17.5”, keeping your screen at eye level and reducing strain for long working hours.
- Quick & Hassle-Free Setup: Set up your workstation in minutes. The VESA mounting plate and laptop arm come pre-assembled, allowing you to easily attach the laptop arm mount to your desk with minimal effort. The C-clamp securely holds it in place, providing a stable, reliable setup without the need for additional tools.
- Keep Your Notebook Cool and Secure: The 11.8” x 10.4” ventilated tray is designed to keep your notebook cool during extended use with airflow-enhancing ventilation holes. The tray also includes 6 anti-slip pads and a widened bottom guard to hold your laptop securely in place, while Velcro straps ensure the laptop and tray stay firmly together, preventing unwanted movement.
- Maximize on Desk Space: Elevate your laptop or monitor with this laptop desk mount to free up space and create a more organized workspace. Easily switch between laptop and monitor modes to enhance your multitasking abilities, boosting your productivity without sacrificing valuable desk space.
Emulation does not translate drivers. Software that depends on a device driver needs a driver included with Windows or one designed for Windows ARM/ARM64. This can affect peripherals and features such as printers, scanners, security products, assistive technology, games, and virtualization.
Work through these checks in order
1. Confirm your Windows version and the exact symptom
- Open Settings > System > About.
- Check System type for “ARM-based processor,” and note your Windows version.
- Write down the app’s name and version, and distinguish whether it is slow after launching, will not launch, crashes, will not install, or opens but cannot use connected hardware.
Those symptoms point to different causes. For example, an app that opens but cannot communicate with a scanner may have a driver issue, while a failed launch could also be caused by an outdated or damaged app installation.
Rank #2
- Fast Laptop In & Out - Easily snap your laptop in or out with our tray design—perfect for busy days. The secure locking tab keeps devices stable while you shift between work zones.
- Flexible Angles, No Limits - Enjoy +90°/-45° tilt, +90°/-90° swivel, and full ±180° rotation. Whether you’re typing, presenting, get the best screen position every time.
- Fits Laptops and Monitors - Use with a max 32" monitor or a 14"-17" laptop—supports 2.2–22 lbs. Perfect for coders, creatives, and multitaskers who love flexibility. Switch between laptop and monitor.
- Smooth Lifting Power - Effortlessly raise or lower your screen with a premium arm—tested over 2,000 times for long-term durability. Enjoy smooth, stable height adjustment up to " and a max extension of 21.2". A rock-solid hold that moves like butter.
- Declutter with Smart Design - Save up to 80% of your desk space while built-in cable management tames the cord chaos. Ideal for minimalist workspaces and clean desk fanatics.
2. Look for an app update or native ARM64 build
For a Microsoft Store app, open the Store and check for updates. For an app installed from elsewhere, use the publisher’s website to check for a newer version or a Windows ARM/ARM64 build. Use only the Microsoft Store or the app publisher’s official download source. If the publisher offers a native ARM version, prefer it; otherwise, check the publisher’s stated Windows 11 ARM support before assuming an emulated version will work.
3. Install Windows updates and restart
Open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, install available updates, and restart the PC before testing the app again. Windows ARM support continues to evolve through Windows updates, but an update is not a guaranteed fix for a specific third-party app.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- 2-in-1 Laptop Monitor Mount: The Laptop Mount fits laptop and notebook up to 17", and monitor up to 32" with VESA 75x75mm and 100x100mm. You can easily switch it between a laptop arm and a monitor mount by choosing whether or not to install the laptop tray. As this desk mount supports device weighing from 4.4 to 22 lbs. When the weight meets this requirement, you can adjust the tension of the gas spring arm to secure it in place. If you have any problems while adjusting it, we are here to help.
- Ergonomic Laptop Arm Mount: With its 14.5" pole, the laptop holder stand offers a wide range of height adjustments, making it a valuable addition to your standing or sitting desk setup. By lifting your laptop off the desk, the laptop tray mount is a handy accessory to help you customize your deskop setup. It can be used on its own or pair with your organised monitor to create a dual-screen setup. It is perfect for working, gaming, creating, helping relieve discomfort from fixed postures.
- Full Motion Adjustment - The laptop desk mount gives you complete viewing flexibility with its swivel, tilt, and rotation adjustments. It is versatile for +70° to -45° tilting, 180° swiveling and 360° rotating. The premium gas spring arm can be extended forward up to 20.9” and elevated to a max height of 23.6". This adjustable laptop stand can be adjusted in many ways, so you can put your laptop in the perfect position for you. This can make you more productive and comfortable.
- Removable Laptop Tray: The ventilated tray is designed with two side clamps to prevent your laptop from slipping and to provide reliable stability. Both clamps can be adjusted vertically to avoid blocking the ports on your laptop's sides, and horizontally to accommodate wider devices. Thanks to its adjustable design, this tray can hold most laptops, MacBooks and notebooks. Additionally, the vent tray has multiple slots for heat dissipation to keep your device cool during extended use.
- Say Goodbye to Messy desk: With clear instructions and all necessary mounting hardware, you can easily install the laptop desk arm yourself. Depending on your desk, you can choose between a C-clamp (fits desk thicknesses of 0.39“~2.76") or grommet mount (fits desk thicknesses of 0.39“~1.97", a hole diameter of 0.39“~2.36"). As well as freeing up desktop space, this laptop riser arm features a built-in cable management system to store cable clutter, creating a organised workspace.
4. Try the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
- Open Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Next to Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, select Run.
- Follow the prompts to select and test the affected app.
This troubleshooter can help with some compatibility problems. It cannot create a missing ARM64 driver or guarantee that an unsupported app will run.
5. Repair the app, then consider Reset
For an app with installation or data problems, check whether Windows offers its repair controls:
Rank #4
- 【RAM & Storage】This computer comes with 16GB RAM DDR5 | 512GB SSD
- 【Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100】It is an affordable ARM architecture processor for use in Windows laptops. Unveiled in Jan 2025, this Qualcomm SoC features 8 Oryon CPU cores running at up to 2.98 GHz, along with the 1.7 TFLOPS X1-45 iGPU and the 45 TOPS Hexagon NPU. The super-fast LPDDR5x-8448 memory controller, USB 4.0 support, TB 4 support and PCIe 4 support are all onboard as well.
- 【 16” WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Display】Enjoy better color accuracy and wider viewing angles and display and a high resolution of 1920x1200. A 16:10 aspect ratio lets you see more of your content with less scrolling.
- 【Other features】Qualcomm Adreno GPU,Copilot+ PC Experiences,Windows 11 Home operating system.
- 【Bundle with USB Hub】Bundled with USB 3.0 Hub, Suitable for USB port computer and other equipment, standard USB3.0 theory 5Gbps high-speed transmission, can actually SUB2.0 multi-port expansion, such as: mouse, keyboard connection.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Select the app, then open Advanced options if that option is available.
- Select Repair. If the problem remains, Reset may be available.
Not all desktop apps provide these controls. Reset can clear app data or settings, so check the app publisher’s guidance and preserve important data before using it. Repair, Reset, or reinstalling may help with a damaged installation or app data; none can fix an unsupported driver dependency.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the app opens but a device or feature does not work
Check with the relevant app or hardware publisher for Windows 11 ARM/ARM64 support and a suitable driver. Without a compatible driver, dependent hardware or software may not work fully. For printers, Microsoft suggests trying installation through Windows Settings if the manufacturer’s installer does not support ARM. Most printers are supported, including printers that support Mopria, but support for the particular printer and its features should be confirmed with its manufacturer.
Best Value
- UNOPENED RETAIL PACKAGING, sold as configured by Lenovo. Includes one year of Courier or Carry-in Lenovo Warranty. Add up to 4 years of Lenovo Premium Care Onsite Plus when you register your computer with Lenovo.
- Amazing Display: 14.5" 3K (2944 x 1840), OLED, Glare, Dolby Vision, Touch, HDR 600 True Black, 100I-P3, 1000 nits (Peak)/500 nits (Typical), 90Hz, Glass
- Experience exceptional performance with the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 processor, Delivering 45 trillion operations per second, ensuring tasks are more efficient and faster. With exceptional power efficiency expertly managed by the tuning of the Slim 7x, you can enjoy up to 23.5 hours of video playback on a single battery charge.
- Designed to get any job done with memory of 16 GB and even more storage capacity at 1 TB. And power through your day with plenty of connectivity, including: 3x USB-C (USB4 40Gbps), with USB PD 3.1 and DisplayPort 1.4.
- The Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 processor is perfect for those with a creative mind and an eye for design. It delivers top-tier performance while cutting power consumption by 68%, letting your creative juices flow all day without any interruptions.
Special case: Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows ARM
Microsoft’s lifecycle notice says 32-bit Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows ARM stopped receiving new feature updates in October 2025; security updates are scheduled to end in December 2026. Microsoft says the 64-bit Microsoft 365 edition for ARM-based PCs requires Windows 11.
To check the installed Office version, open an Office app and look at its Account or About page. Microsoft says its installer migrates a 32-bit installation when upgrading to the 64-bit ARM edition. Follow Microsoft’s current upgrade instructions and confirm that your Windows version meets the requirement before installing.
Windows 10 ARM is no longer supported
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. The steps and compatibility guidance here are for Windows 11 ARM; they should not be read as a promise of ongoing Windows 10 support.
Quick Recap
Microsoft guidance
- Windows Arm-based PCs FAQ
- Using software and peripherals on Surface ARM-based devices
- Make older apps or programs compatible with the latest version of Windows
- End of support for 32-bit Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Arm-based PCs
- Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
