The NordVPN app for Windows will now support ARM-based devices
We’re proud to be among the first VPN providers to offer a chance to shield your ARM-based Windows devices from online threats. This autumn, we are releasing a NordVPN app version that supports ARM architecture on Windows.
Devices with ARM processors have won the hearts of users who value power efficiency, longer battery life, and flexibility. Among the most popular Windows ARM devices are laptops and two-in-one devices, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro series, Samsung Galaxy Book S, Lenovo Flex 5G, HP Elite Folio, and Acer Spin 7.
With an ARM-native NordVPN app, you can encrypt your traffic and change your IP address without any hiccups or lags. The app follows the same instructions as the ARM architecture on Windows so you can enjoy excellent performance. So go ahead – avoid online snoopers and browse with more privacy and the convenience you deserve.
At this initial stage, the NordVPN app for Windows ARM comes without our signature Threat Protection Pro feature. However, NordVPN developers are working hard to deliver it to ARM users as soon as possible, so stay tuned!
New to the ARM processor universe? Find out more about Windows ARM architecture below.
ARM architecture on Windows devices: What is it?
ARM, short for Advanced RISC Machines, refers to a processor architecture widely used in battery-powered devices and desktop machines. The processor is praised for its power efficiency and battery life, which don’t come at the cost of performance.
Microsoft has adapted Windows to work on ARM devices, including laptops, tablets, and two-in-one devices like Surface Pro. These are typically lightweight, portable computers that are ideal for people who are always on the go. ARM processors offer long battery life, providing you with more flexibility – you can stop worrying about the charging stations for an extended period of time.
We’ve built our VPN app for Windows running on ARM architecture specifically for ARM64 devices. It comes as a valuable companion to the existing NordVPN app for x64 devices. We’ve chosen to develop the NordVPN app as a native ARM build to offer you a seamless VPN experience.
Emulated apps on ARM vs. native ARM implementations
When developers create an application, they have two options: Either build it to support the native system’s architecture or use cross-platform development to make the app run on various types of architectures.
When an app is made to run on an architecture it wasn’t originally built for, it may be emulated or run using a compatibility layer. This means the app has to translate from one architecture’s set of instructions to another in real time, which may create overhead and require several processor cycles.
However, Windows has recently upped its game in emulator technology. With its recent Windows 11 24H2 upgrade, the company has introduced the Prism emulator. This tool can translate from one type of architecture to another as smoothly as if it was built on native processor architecture.
A long-time winner in the emulated vs. native app debate, native app implementation means the app follows the logic and instruction set of that particular processor’s architecture. For instance, the NordVPN app is a native implementation of ARM64 architecture, which means it can seamlessly execute all your commands as if it’s inherent to the device itself. The app speaks the "language" of the processor, and they can operate smoothly together.
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