What software won't work with Microsoft Surface ARM processors?

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If you're considering a Microsoft Surface with one of those new ARM processors, let's talk about what you're actually getting into. It's not all bad news, but there are definitely some gotchas you should know about.

The ARM Situation: What's Changed

Microsoft decided to ditch Intel chips for Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors in their newest Surface devices. The idea? Better battery life and always-on connectivity. The reality? Some of your favorite software might not work anymore.

Think of it like trying to run Mac software on a PC—it's the same basic problem, just in reverse. Microsoft built something called Prism to help translate old software, and it works pretty well most of the time. But "most of the time" might not cut it if that one essential app you rely on is part of the remaining percentage.

Where You'll Hit Walls

Gaming Is Rough

Let's be honest—if you're a gamer, ARM Surface devices are probably not for you right now. Anti-cheat software hates emulation, which means a lot of popular online games simply refuse to launch. No Valorant, no Apex Legends, no Fortnite with anti-cheat enabled. It's frustrating because the hardware can handle these games, but the software gatekeepers say no.

Work Software Can Be Hit-or-Miss

Got some older business software your company still uses? There's a good chance it won't play nice with ARM. I'm talking about things like:

• That ancient version of QuickBooks your accountant insists on using
• Specialized industry software that hasn't been updated in years
• VPN clients that dig deep into Windows (looking at you, corporate IT departments)

Hardware Accessories Are Tricky

Your printer might work fine, but the fancy software that came with it? Maybe not. Brother straight-up says they don't support ARM processors, and Logitech still hasn't updated drivers for some of their webcams.

The Good News

Here's what does work, and works really well:

• All the Microsoft stuff (Office, Teams, Edge)—obviously
• Google Chrome runs like a dream
• Zoom, Spotify, WhatsApp—all native
• Even serious creative tools like Blender and DaVinci Resolve have ARM versions now

Microsoft claims 90% of what people actually use day-to-day now has ARM support, and honestly, that feels about right.

Should You Take the Plunge?

Here's my advice: make a list of every piece of software you can't live without. Then spend 20 minutes googling each one with "ARM64" or "Windows on ARM." If even one critical app doesn't work, either wait or consider an Intel Surface instead.

The ARM Surface devices really are impressive—the battery life alone might convert you. Just make sure you're not sacrificing essential functionality for those extra hours of use. You can check current Surface pricing here to see if the trade-offs make financial sense for your needs.