5 Essential Windows Apps That Are Now Native on ARM - 2026 Update
Hey tech lovers! Welcome back to Technical Kachhua. If you have recently bought a new laptop, you might have heard a lot about “Windows on ARM.” Devices like the new Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and those powerful Snapdragon X Elite laptops are everywhere in 2026.
But there was always one big problem with ARM laptops—software compatibility. In the past, many apps didn’t run well or were very slow because they had to be “emulated.” But things have changed big time! Major companies have now released “Native ARM” versions of their apps. This means they run at full speed, use less battery, and don’t make your laptop hot.
Today, I am going to share 5 Essential Windows Apps that are now 100% native on ARM. If you have an ARM PC, you must install these for the best experience!
1. Google Chrome (The King of Browsers)
For a long time, Chrome users on ARM laptops had to use an emulated version which was a bit laggy and used too much RAM. But not anymore!
In 2024 and 2025, Google finally released a fully native ARM64 version of Chrome. In 2026, it is faster than ever. It opens instantly and handles 50+ tabs without making your fan spin like a jet engine. If you are still using the old version, go to Chrome’s website and download the ARM64 version right now. Your battery will thank you!
2. Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom
Creative people used to stay away from ARM laptops because Adobe apps were not compatible. But Adobe has been working hard with Microsoft and Qualcomm.
Now, Photoshop and Lightroom are fully native on ARM. They even use the NPU (AI chip) in your laptop for features like “Generative Fill” and “Select Subject.” Running Photoshop natively on an ARM laptop feels just as smooth as on a high-end Intel or Mac device. It’s a game changer for photographers who want to edit photos on the go without carrying a heavy charger.
3. Microsoft Teams & Office 365
This one is a no-brainer. Since Microsoft is pushing ARM laptops, they have made their entire Office 365 suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) fully native.
The biggest improvement is in Microsoft Teams. We all know Teams is a “heavy” app that eats battery. But the native ARM version is much lighter. Video calls are smoother, background blur works via the NPU, and it doesnt drain your battery during those long 1-hour meetings.
4. VLC Media Player
We all love VLC because it can play any video format in the world. The good news is that the VideoLAN team has released a native ARM64 version of VLC.
Why does this matter? Because playing 4K high-quality movies needs a lot of processing. If you use the emulated version, your laptop might get hot. But with the native version, it uses the hardware decoder of the ARM chip, which means you can watch movies for 15+ hours on a single charge!
5. Spotify (Music Without the Lag)
If you love listening to music while working, you will be happy to know that Spotify is now native on Windows ARM.
Earlier, the Spotify app was a bit “heavy” on ARM, but the new native version is super snappy. Switching between playlists and searching for artists is instant. Plus, it uses very little background energy, so it wont affect your work performance.
Bonus: How to Check if Your App is Native?
Want to know if the apps you are using are native or emulated? It’s very easy:
Open Task Manager (
Ctrl + Shift + Esc).Go to the Details tab.
Right-click on the header (where it says Name, PID, etc.) and click Select Columns.
Check the box for “Architecture” and click OK.
Now, look at your apps. If it says “Arm64,” it is native. If it says “x64” or “x86,” it is running via emulation (Prism).
Why Native Apps are Better?
Battery Life: Native apps are much more power-efficient.
Performance: They use the full power of the CPU and NPU.
Heat: Your laptop stays cool because the processor doesn’t have to work hard for “translation.”
Conclusion
Windows on ARM is finally ready for the prime time in 2026. With these 5 essential apps going native, you get a laptop that is as fast as an iPhone but as powerful as a PC. If you were waiting to buy an ARM laptop, now is the best time!
Which app are you still waiting for on ARM? Tell me in the comments below! And dont forget to follow Technical Kachhua for more latest tech updates.
Stay techy, stay smart!
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