# Overview

Windows on Snapdragon (WoS) platforms natively support applications for the 32-bit and 64-bit architecture and, through emulation, also support existing x86 32-bit applications.
By [porting legacy code to WoS architecture](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/arm/overview) ![devhw](data:image/png;base64,UklGRt4AAABXRUJQVlA4TNIAAAAvD8ADED/BoG0jSe5SXP5I7gkNRG3byLnX4Tn+2K4I2raNw5/iqPxlEwBAGlwuj8BNBPpnsblrANx3P36s+DHQIcQ0dmEfEGPc8WEcCCcO/M2hXv3rDJTcHCTB1es7l9P2UoywA2a3jSW/pp77EhxGkq1E8zjH3R3e/fxjREOI6P8EcH+lqu/oTK/6kS+YwlHVAMjkP0ErP1UNIZZmnsB32Y2lZjNPO7HUUA1HkVWz73lAIiWM6WaegFcHzNOJ3bv89WhdNu1TDx/txhT2np2bzWU=) and building native binaries, applications can benefit from the expanded memory space and faster processing of this architecture and achieve the best performance and battery life.

**Arm64EC**

[Arm64EC (Emulation Compatible)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/arm/arm64ec) ![devhw](data:image/png;base64,UklGRt4AAABXRUJQVlA4TNIAAAAvD8ADED/BoG0jSe5SXP5I7gkNRG3byLnX4Tn+2K4I2raNw5/iqPxlEwBAGlwuj8BNBPpnsblrANx3P36s+DHQIcQ0dmEfEGPc8WEcCCcO/M2hXv3rDJTcHCTB1es7l9P2UoywA2a3jSW/pp77EhxGkq1E8zjH3R3e/fxjREOI6P8EcH+lqu/oTK/6kS+YwlHVAMjkP0ErP1UNIZZmnsB32Y2lZjNPO7HUUA1HkVWz73lAIiWM6WaegFcHzNOJ3bv89WhdNu1TDx/txhT2np2bzWU=) allows for a gradual transition of x86\_64 applications to Arm64 by enabling a mix of emulation-compatible and native Arm64 code. This hybrid approach facilitates incremental app development and ensures compatibility with x86-only plugins, aiding in the eventual full migration to Arm64. Essentially, it’s a bridge between x86\_64 and Arm64, providing flexibility and support during the porting process.

**Arm64 and Arm64EC combined binary**

For implementations that require both Arm64 and Arm64EC versions of an application to be delivered in a single binary, Windows 11 introduced the [Arm64X](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/arm/arm64x-pe) ![devhw](data:image/png;base64,UklGRt4AAABXRUJQVlA4TNIAAAAvD8ADED/BoG0jSe5SXP5I7gkNRG3byLnX4Tn+2K4I2raNw5/iqPxlEwBAGlwuj8BNBPpnsblrANx3P36s+DHQIcQ0dmEfEGPc8WEcCCcO/M2hXv3rDJTcHCTB1es7l9P2UoywA2a3jSW/pp77EhxGkq1E8zjH3R3e/fxjREOI6P8EcH+lqu/oTK/6kS+YwlHVAMjkP0ErP1UNIZZmnsB32Y2lZjNPO7HUUA1HkVWz73lAIiWM6WaegFcHzNOJ3bv89WhdNu1TDx/txhT2np2bzWU=) binary type. Using Arm64X, a single Arm64X binary supports both Arm64EC and Arm64.

Use [Visual Studio](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/) ![devhw](data:image/png;base64,UklGRt4AAABXRUJQVlA4TNIAAAAvD8ADED/BoG0jSe5SXP5I7gkNRG3byLnX4Tn+2K4I2raNw5/iqPxlEwBAGlwuj8BNBPpnsblrANx3P36s+DHQIcQ0dmEfEGPc8WEcCCcO/M2hXv3rDJTcHCTB1es7l9P2UoywA2a3jSW/pp77EhxGkq1E8zjH3R3e/fxjREOI6P8EcH+lqu/oTK/6kS+YwlHVAMjkP0ErP1UNIZZmnsB32Y2lZjNPO7HUUA1HkVWz73lAIiWM6WaegFcHzNOJ3bv89WhdNu1TDx/txhT2np2bzWU=) or command line tools to build Arm64, [Arm64EC](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/arm/arm64ec) ![devhw](data:image/png;base64,UklGRt4AAABXRUJQVlA4TNIAAAAvD8ADED/BoG0jSe5SXP5I7gkNRG3byLnX4Tn+2K4I2raNw5/iqPxlEwBAGlwuj8BNBPpnsblrANx3P36s+DHQIcQ0dmEfEGPc8WEcCCcO/M2hXv3rDJTcHCTB1es7l9P2UoywA2a3jSW/pp77EhxGkq1E8zjH3R3e/fxjREOI6P8EcH+lqu/oTK/6kS+YwlHVAMjkP0ErP1UNIZZmnsB32Y2lZjNPO7HUUA1HkVWz73lAIiWM6WaegFcHzNOJ3bv89WhdNu1TDx/txhT2np2bzWU=), and [Arm64X](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/arm/arm64x-pe) ![devhw](data:image/png;base64,UklGRt4AAABXRUJQVlA4TNIAAAAvD8ADED/BoG0jSe5SXP5I7gkNRG3byLnX4Tn+2K4I2raNw5/iqPxlEwBAGlwuj8BNBPpnsblrANx3P36s+DHQIcQ0dmEfEGPc8WEcCCcO/M2hXv3rDJTcHCTB1es7l9P2UoywA2a3jSW/pp77EhxGkq1E8zjH3R3e/fxjREOI6P8EcH+lqu/oTK/6kS+YwlHVAMjkP0ErP1UNIZZmnsB32Y2lZjNPO7HUUA1HkVWz73lAIiWM6WaegFcHzNOJ3bv89WhdNu1TDx/txhT2np2bzWU=) binaries.

Last Published: Jun 16, 2026

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