Windows 11 on ARM: A Developer's Year-Long Virtualization Journey

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern computing, adaptability is key to survival and success. The journey of Windows 11 on ARM exemplifies this truth in the software development domain. This article explores a unique, firsthand developer experience running Windows 11 on ARM architecture—not on native ARM hardware, but virtualized on a MacBook Pro using Parallels Desktop. This year-long trial reveals the progress, challenges, and future potential of Windows 11 on ARM from a developer’s point of view.

Background and Context

Microsoft's attempt to run Windows on ARM-based processors dates back to Windows 10 on ARM in 2017. The goal was to break free from traditional x86 processors, typically Intel or AMD, and embrace energy-efficient, always-connected devices powered by ARM architecture. However, early Windows on ARM experiences were mixed, often limited by performance constraints and software compatibility issues.

Fast forward to 2024, significant improvements have surfaced thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite chipsets, which now provide the necessary computing muscle for ARM Windows devices to compete with their Intel and AMD counterparts, not just in casual use cases but also in software development scenarios.

The Virtualization Experiment

Michael Niehaus, an experienced software developer, embarked on a year-long experiment virtualizing Windows 11 on ARM inside macOS using Parallels Desktop on a MacBook Pro. This unconventional approach tested how Windows 11 on ARM handles real-world developer workloads through virtualization rather than on native ARM hardware.

Technical Details of the Virtualization Setup

  • Platform: Windows 11 ARM edition running as a virtual machine (VM) on macOS.
  • Virtualization Software: Parallels Desktop, a popular macOS application for running Windows.
  • Processor Emulation: Utilized ARM64 instruction set native to the host Apple Silicon Mac, with x64 application binaries running under Microsoft’s x64 emulation layer within Windows 11 ARM.
  • Development Tools: Visual Studio IDE, .NET development framework, and cross-platform compiling targeting x64, ARM, macOS, and Linux.

Key Advantages Observed

  • Seamless Visual Studio Performance: Visual Studio operated smoothly, including complex projects, reflecting the runtime and resource efficiency improvements.
  • Cross-Platform Build Efficiency: .NET’s architecture-neutral design allowed seamless cross-compilation.
  • Robust x64 Emulation: Windows 11 ARM’s x64 binary emulation was surprisingly stable and performant.
  • Multi-Architecture Development: Enabled software targeting multiple platforms without compatibility headaches.

Challenges and Limitations

  • RAM Allocation Constraints: Parallels initially limited RAM allocation, which impacted performance in resource-heavy development environments. Updates later alleviated this.
  • No Nested Virtualization on macOS: Prevented the use of Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2), a crucial tool for many developers needing Linux distros and container workflows.
  • SQL Server Native Support Lacking: Microsoft SQL Server 2022 does not have native ARM64 support, forcing reliance on emulation or workaround scripts that were unstable.

Comparisons and Native ARM Hardware Insights

Though the experience was virtualized on macOS, discussions indicate that native ARM hardware like Snapdragon X Elite laptops mitigate these issues:

  • Full WSL2 support due to lack of nested virtualization restrictions.
  • Direct hardware access improving performance and developer experience.
  • Better system optimization when Windows runs natively on ARM processors.

Broader Implications and Future Prospects

Microsoft and Qualcomm’s evolving collaboration and ongoing improvements in emulation technologies forecast an inevitable ARM presence in desktop and laptop computing. The success of Windows 11 on ARM means:

  • Developers gain platform flexibility with a near-seamless experience.
  • The market can embrace energy-efficient ARM devices without sacrificing legacy application support.
  • Emulation improvements reduce barriers for Windows x86/x64 app compatibility.

However, some ecosystem gaps like missing native ARM versions of key server software (e.g., SQL Server) highlight ongoing hurdles to fully mainstream developer adoption.

Conclusion

Michael Niehaus’s year-long virtualization journey uncovers that Windows 11 on ARM has matured significantly. Even virtualized on macOS, the experience can handle modern software development workloads with some caveats. Native ARM hardware only amplifies these gains by resolving virtualization limitations.

Windows 11 on ARM is no longer just a curiosity but a viable platform for developers, signaling a promising future for ARM in Windows computing. While not perfect yet, the path forward is clear: better emulation, broader native app support, and improved hardware will make ARM-based Windows machines increasingly attractive for professional workloads.

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References and Further Reading