How to quickly check if your Windows PC is running only ARM64 apps for the best performance, efficiency, and battery life

As ARM-based Windows PCs become more prevalent, it’s crucial to ensure you’re taking full advantage of their capabilities. Running native ARM64 apps on these devices can significantly improve performance and battery life. This guide will walk you through various methods to check if your Windows 11 PC is running only ARM64 apps, helping you optimize your ARM-based Windows PC experience.

How to check if your Windows PC is ARM-based

1. Using Task Manager

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Switch to the Details tab.
3. Right-click on any column header to sort by column or select Select columns.
4. Pick the columns you want to see in Task Manager from the list. Check the box next to Architecture and click OK.
5. Look through the list of running processes. ARM64 apps will be labeled as ARM64 in the Architecture column.

2. Using PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Run the following command: Get-Process | Select-Object Name, ProcessName, @{Name="Architecture";Expression={$_.StartInfo.EnvironmentVariables["PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE"]}} | Format-Table -AutoSize
3. Review the output. ARM64 processes will be listed with “ARM64” in the Architecture column.

The purpose of this command is to display a list of running processes along with their names and the architecture they’re running under. This can be useful for identifying which processes are running natively on the system’s architecture and which might be running under emulation (e.g., 32-bit processes on a 64-bit system). However, it’s important to note that this method of determining process architecture has limitations:

1. It relies on the environment variable being set correctly, which may not always be the case.
2. For processes running under emulation (like 32-bit processes on a 64-bit system), it may show the system architecture rather than the process’s actual architecture.

3. Using System Information

1. Press Win + R, type “msinfo32” and click OK.
2. In the System Information window, look for System Type under the System Summary.
3. If it says ARM64-based PC, your system is running on ARM64 architecture.

How to check if the app is an ARM-64 native app 

1. Checking specific applications

To check if a specific application is ARM64 native:

1. Right-click on the application’s executable file.
2. Select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. If the Run this program in compatibility mode for option is grayed out, it’s likely an ARM64 native app.

2. Using SigCheck (Advanced)

1. Download SigCheck from Microsoft’s Sysinternals.
2. Navigate to the folder containing SigCheck.
3. Right-click and click Open in Terminal.
4. Run the following command, replacing “PathToProgram” with the full path to the program’s executable: sigcheck.exe "PathToProgram"
5. Look for MachineType in the output. ARM64 apps will show as 64-bit ARM or ARM64.

Tips for only using ARM64 apps

1. Update your apps: Always keep your applications up-to-date, as developers may release ARM64 versions of their software.
2. Check the Microsoft Store: When downloading apps, look for those that specifically mention ARM64 compatibility.
3. Use ARM64-native browsers: Browsers like Microsoft Edge and Firefox have ARM64 versions that offer better performance.
4. Monitor performance: If an app seems slow or drains battery quickly, it might be running in emulation mode rather than natively.
5. Check developer resources: For developers, use ARM64-native development tools like Visual Studio’s ARM64 version to ensure you’re creating ARM64 apps.

By following these methods and tips, you can ensure that your ARM-based Windows 11 PC is running ARM64 native applications for optimal performance, efficiency, and battery life. Remember that while Windows on ARM can run x86 and x64 apps through emulation, native ARM64 apps will provide the best experience. Regularly checking and updating your applications to their ARM64 versions will help you make the most of your ARM-based Windows PC, enjoying improved speed, responsiveness, and battery life.