Microsoft has achieved a significant milestone by releasing its first-ever Windows 11 ARM64 ISO for direct download, making it easier for users to install Windows 11 on ARM-based devices.
The release, based on Windows 11 24H2, marks a historic shift in Microsoft's approach to ARM-based computing.
Previously, users needed to be Windows Insiders to access ARM ISOs, which were only available as VHDX files limited to virtual machines. The new release allows users to download the ISO directly from Microsoft's official website, just as they would for x64 versions of Windows.
The ISO release is particularly significant for users of newer ARM-based devices, especially those with Snapdragon X Elite and Plus laptops.
These devices can boot directly from the ISO and install drivers through Windows Update, similar to the experience on x64 systems. However, Microsoft notes that users with older Snapdragon processors will need to include specific drivers from their device manufacturers.
For Surface device owners, Microsoft recommends using dedicated recovery images from the Surface Recovery Image page to ensure proper driver compatibility. The company emphasizes that ARM hardware doesn't have the same generic drivers as x86 PCs, making proper driver installation crucial for system functionality.
Download Windows 11 ARM iso
Users can download the Arm version of Windows 11 from the official website. Simply head to the Windows 11 iso download page for Arm (64-bit) and follow the steps as if you download Windows 11 iso for your normal system.
Microsoft says that the ISO file can also be used to manually create bootable installation media (USB flash drive) to install Windows 11 on Arm, but it may be necessary to include drivers from the device manufacturer for the installation media to be successfully bootable.
Follow the below steps to download Windows 11 Arm iso -
- Visit the Windows 11 Arm64 Download page.
- Now click on the dropdown list, select the version or edition of Windows 11, and click on the Download Now button. (Currently, it only has one)
- Now, you have to choose the language for Windows 11 from the dropdown list.
- After selecting the language, simply click on Confirm.
- After clicking the Confirm button, a download link for iso will be created, which will be valid for 24 hours.
- Simply click on the Download Now button, and the iso file of Windows 11 Arm will start downloading.
OR
You can also download the Windows 11 Arm iso from this link. This is an untouched, official version of Windows 11 ARM in an international language.
You can also verify the hash code [English International 64-bit - 87E13633DCAEE971C5EE24D4F31045BFA444FBA38F70CC684630CF154F645D36] of the file to confirm it is official and untouched.
The release also opens new possibilities for tech enthusiasts and developers. Users can now install Windows 11 on various ARM-based hardware, including single-board computers like Raspberry Pi.
Additionally, the ISO enables ARM-on-ARM virtualization, allowing users to run Windows 11 in virtual machines on platforms like VMware Fusion or UTM on Apple Silicon Macs.
However, there are some limitations. Currently, users cannot run ARM64 VMs on x64 hardware through Hyper-V, requiring Azure for cloud-based ARM64 VM deployment. The installation process is also slightly different from x86 systems, as the website doesn't provide an Installation Assistant for creating bootable media.
This release represents a significant step toward making Windows on ARM as accessible as its x86 counterpart, potentially paving the way for broader adoption of ARM-based Windows devices and development opportunities in the Windows ecosystem.