Windows 11 on ARM: Enterprise Transformation in the Age of AI PCs

As the world’s largest enterprises brace for the seismic end-of-support for Windows 10, a quiet technological revolution is underway. Microsoft’s strategy for Windows 11 on ARM—once a niche experiment—has now become a board-level priority, tightly entwined with the hyper-fast growth of AI PCs and the evolution of endpoint infrastructure. This moment isn’t just another device refresh: it represents a fundamental decision about future business agility, sustainability, and how organizations position themselves for next-generation workloads.

The Strategic Crossroads: AI, Windows 11, and ARM

Three powerful forces now shape the enterprise IT agenda.
First, Windows 10 end of support looms over late-migrating organizations, compressing upgrade timelines and exposing them to escalating support cost risks. Second, analyst data shows that by 2026, AI PCs will represent 55% of the global market, driven by the demand for devices capable of on-device AI acceleration—a trend already visible in vendor shipment numbers. Third, Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative sets ARM architectures, particularly those powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite/Plus processors, as the reference platform for AI-centric Windows experiences (Computerworld; TechRadar).

The enterprise implication is clear: Refreshing to Windows 11 is no longer a simple OS migration—it is a strategic commitment to AI capabilities, and an implicit choice about ARM’s role in the future PC fleet. The stakes for CIOs and CFOs have never been higher: ignore ARM now, and risk being locked into a 3–5 year hardware cycle that mismatches the direction of Microsoft, device OEMs, and enterprise software providers.

Unpacking the Windows 11 ARM-First Strategy

From niche to necessity: Windows on ARM is not new, but its current incarnation is radically different from the missteps of Windows RT and Windows 10 on ARM. Today, Windows 11 ARM represents Microsoft’s third and potentially decisive attempt to make ARM viable for mainstream business—and the ecosystem is finally ready.

Ecosystem evolution: By mid-2025, more than 100 of the most popular Windows applications have native ARM builds, including Office 365, Teams, Edge, and all major browsers (MSEndpointMgr). Microsoft telemetry reveals that users with Windows ARM PCs already spend over 90% of their time in ARM-native apps, negating much of the historic friction of x86/x64 emulation.

Performance and experience: Today’s ARM devices, especially Copilot+ models, offer superior battery life, always-connected LTE/5G mobility, and competitive performance in productivity and collaboration workloads. The “ARM is for phones, not PCs” myth has expired—increasingly, ARM defines what enterprise laptops do best, not what they cannot do.

Risk Windows, Opportunity Windows: The Race to Refresh

Market adoption and inertia: Statcounter data confirms that Windows 11 surpassed Windows 10 worldwide in late 2025, with 50.7% share versus Windows 10’s 44.7%. Yet enterprise estates lag: some estimates place more than 60% of desktops still running Windows 10 as recently as 2024, exposing organizations to extended support costs and rushed, poorly aligned procurement (Numecent).

Strategic refresh: For organizations refreshing in 2025–2026, the opportunity is not only to leap to Windows 11, but to adopt an ARM-first, AI-ready baseline. This means mapping personas—mobile workers, call centers, sales teams, knowledge workers with SaaS-heavy portfolios—to ARM devices, while reserving x86 endpoints for specialized, GPU- or latency-sensitive workloads.

Realizing gains: The key benefits are found in total cost of ownership (TCO): lower energy usage, longer battery lifespan, and reduced device refresh rates. These advantages dovetail with sustainability and ESG goals, making ARM not only an operational win but a reputational asset in regions such as the EU, UK, and parts of APAC.

Enterprise Reality: App Compatibility and Workload Mapping

Beyond the core stack: The historical Achilles’ heel of ARM has been application compatibility. That argument has largely dissolved for standard business apps: Office 365, Teams, most browsers, and even many third-party SaaS offerings run natively and smoothly on ARM.

Specialized risk zones: The persistent risks today lie in line-of-business apps, legacy thick clients, specialty drivers, and high-end workstation use. For these, options include improved emulation (Windows 11 ARM now emulates x86/x64 with high fidelity), virtualization (through Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365), or, where necessary, continued use of physical x86 hardware.

Persona-driven deployment: The most successful organizations are those that map device standards to user personas. For example:

• Field and frontline workers: “Very high” ARM readiness—battery, mobility, and connectivity win.
• Office / knowledge workers: “High” ARM readiness, provided their apps are browser/SaaS/M365-centric.
• Developers: “Mixed”—web/cloud dev is improving, but some toolchains and emulators still benefit from x86.
• Engineering, CAD, media: “Low”—these remain x86/GPU-optimized territory.

AI PCs: Redefining the PC Standard

The AI PC surge: Industry projections from Gartner and others anticipate AI PCs as the dominant endpoint, accounting for 55% of shipments by 2026 (CIO Dive). OEMs are responding: Dell forecasts $25 billion in AI-related shipments—up 150% year-over-year—while HP reports a full third of its latest quarterly shipments were AI PCs.

Microsoft’s Copilot+ and ARM-first messaging: Microsoft’s guidance is explicit—Windows 10 users are being directed to upgrade to Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, with ARM CPUs as the preferred foundation for high-performance, AI-accelerated workloads. The narrative is no longer “can ARM catch up?”—it’s “ARM is already ahead” for most productivity scenarios.

Comparative Analysis: ARM vs. x86, and the Cost of Inaction

Old paradigms vs. new realities: Many IT veterans remember the frustrations of Windows RT and the uneven early days of Windows 10 on ARM—limited app support, poor performance, and fragmented hardware. These perceptions represent a risk: the inertia of memory can block rational evaluation of today’s mature ARM landscape.

The new standard: Modern Windows 11 ARM devices, notably Copilot+ PCs, are no longer defined by what they cannot do. They deliver better battery life, 4G/5G always-connected experiences, and fast, responsive performance for more than 90% of enterprise user time.

The cost of remaining x86-only: Failing to include ARM in current device refresh cycles means missing out on TCO gains, energy savings, and AI capabilities—while risking being out of alignment with Microsoft’s platform roadmap. Organizations that default to x86 lock themselves out of ARM innovation, potentially for half a decade.

Regional Perspectives: ARM Readiness Across the Globe

North America: OEM support is strong, with Microsoft, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others offering ARM-based Copilot+ PCs. Large enterprises have begun piloting ARM in sales, executive, and knowledge worker teams. Virtual desktop infrastructure covers remaining x86-only dependencies, making ARM a “standard” rather than an exception.

Western Europe & UK: Boasting strong regulatory, ESG, and energy efficiency drivers, the region is poised to benefit from ARM’s power gains. While some local ISVs lag in ARM-native apps, Microsoft’s data on user time suggests practical risk is diminishing. ARM is increasingly tied to board-level ESG reporting.

Developed APAC: High mobile usage and fast AI PC adoption mean ARM is rapidly becoming default for standard office personas in markets like Japan, South Korea, ANZ, and Singapore.

Emerging Markets: ARM tends to arrive via premium SKUs due to channel limitations. However, its low power draw and long battery life have outsized benefits in markets with unstable power. ARM should be prioritized for leadership and mobile-heavy teams, while x86 remains dominant until pricing normalizes.

From Pilot to Policy: Concrete Steps for IT Decision Makers

Establish ARM-inclusive reference architecture: Update device standards so ARM Copilot+ PCs are not merely for pilots, but are a standard endpoint option in procurement frameworks. Ensure Windows 11 gold images, Autopilot, and Intune baselines work seamlessly across both architectures.

Structured pilots with KPIs: Run 3–6 month pilots tied to battery life, support metrics, and user experience, focusing on mobile-heavy and knowledge-centric personas. Use data to inform refresh and ESG reporting.

Application compatibility assessment: Classify apps as browser/SaaS (green), emulation-friendly (amber), or x86-dependent (red). Use this “go/no-go matrix” to determine ARM deployment by persona and region.

Integrate ARM and AI strategy: Synchronize AI and EUC (end user computing) roadmaps. Map use cases where on-device AI (NPUs) is critical—such as privacy-sensitive or real-time workloads—to ARM-based Copilot+ PCs.

Modernize security and management: Ensure EDR/XDR, VPN, ZTNA, and MDM agents are ARM-compatible. Deploy via Intune and Autopilot for zero-touch provisioning; leverage app virtualization to future-proof against architecture shifts.

Negotiate multi-architecture contracts: Require ISVs and vendors to support ARM in RFPs and performance statements. Confirm channel readiness for ARM hardware SKU delivery.

Key Numbers and Talking Points for Executive Stakeholders

• Windows 11 market share: Over 50% worldwide, but many enterprises still trail, risking costly extended support.
• AI PC trajectory: 55% of endpoint shipments by 2026; Dell forecasts $25B in AI shipments, up 150% year-on-year.
• ARM app ecosystem: 100+ top apps now ARM-native, with 90%+ user time spent in native rather than emulated apps.
• Strategic rationale: Windows 11 ARM offers competitive advantage in battery, mobility, and AI, not merely parity.
• Cost of exclusion: Not adopting ARM now can lock the organization out of alignment for 3–5 years and miss strategic gains.

Comparative Segment: Navigating Legacy Views vs. Next-Gen Imperatives

Legacy perspective: Traditionalists may argue for x86 continuity based on historic compatibility and workstation needs. For highly specialized compute tasks and certain verticals (engineering, finance, heavy media production), x86 and dedicated GPUs remain essential.

Modern viewpoint: For most standard business use cases, ARM is already delivering superior or equal outcomes, with better battery life, mobility, and AI acceleration. The key is persona-based deployment: use the right architecture for the right workload, avoiding blanket procrastination that creates future risk.

“The enterprise device refresh of 2026 isn’t just about new hardware—it’s a decision to embrace flexibility, sustainability, and AI readiness for the next decade. ARM isn’t a side option; it’s a catalyst for strategic transformation.”

Recommended Roadmap: 12–24 Months to Enterprise ARM Readiness

Phase 1 (0–3 months): Assess compatibility, update standards, and identify first-wave deployment personas.
Phase 2 (3–9 months): Execute pilots, negotiate contracts, and align AI workflows with device standards.
Phase 3 (9–18 months): Integrate ARM devices into routine refresh, use virtualization to cover gaps, and fold into sustainability/ESG processes.
Phase 4 (18–24+ months): Continuously improve persona mapping and app coverage, preparing for an endpoint future where AI PCs—many ARM-based—are the default, not the exception.

Conclusion: The Case for Strategic ARM Adoption in the Enterprise

The ARM-first strategy for Windows 11 represents a historic pivot in how organizations think about endpoints, AI, and business resilience. By treating ARM not as an experiment, but as a core foundation for persona-specific deployment, IT and business leaders can unlock new efficiencies in TCO, sustainability, and user experience. They position their organizations not merely to survive, but to thrive in a future defined by on-device AI, energy constraints, and relentless innovation.

Ignoring ARM today is no longer a neutral choice—it is a strategic omission. The window for thoughtful adoption is open, but it will close as device and application cycles accelerate. Enterprise leaders should act now: pilot, measure, and integrate ARM devices into their Windows 11 and AI PC standards. The future isn’t x86 or ARM—it’s architecture agility, AI capability, and operational excellence.