Windows 10 on ARM (Always Connected PC) aims to bring mobile chips to PC hardware. When launched last year it was a step towards Microsoft bringing full Windows capabilities to mobile. However, for the time being Always Connected PC is for laptops, bringing all-day battery life amongst other benefits.
But what about limitations? Well it seems Microsoft accidentally published a full list of Windows 10 on ARM limitations before quickly pulling it. Of course, it was much too late to stop the list spreading.
It is worth noting that Microsoft clearly did not want this information out, but the company may not necessarily be hiding the details. In fact, there is still live documentation that details at least some of the limitations.
Either way, here are the limitations Microsoft published:
- No support for x64 apps: This is not big news as it was already known. Windows 10 on ARM does not emulate x64 apps, but Microsoft says support will come in the future.
- Only support for ARM64 drivers: The Always Connected PC can only run x86 applications, not x86 drivers. In most hardware cases, this shouldn’t be a problem, but older devices may not have support. This support will be more like Windows 10 S as opposed to full Windows 10.
- Some apps and games won’t work: Any application or game using OpenGL 1.1 or later or with a requirement for hardware-accelerated OpenGL won’t work.
- Apps that customize Windows will not operate properly: apps that customize Windows will not work on Windows 10 on ARM. This includes shell extensions, with app developers needing to change their apps to work for ARM.
- Windows Hypervisor Platform not supported: virtual machines using Hyper-V will not be working on Windows 10 on ARM.
Limited Functions
Perhaps it is not a surprise that Windows 10 on ARM has limitations that make it closer to Windows 10 S than normal Windows 10. It will support common apps, so most users should see no problems.
