TL;DR
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WoA devices offer extended battery life, built-in cellular connectivity, and enterprise-grade performance ideal for remote and mobile employees.
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ARM processors are power-efficient and secure by design, making them well-suited for modern, cloud-connected enterprise workloads.
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WoA adoption is rising as Microsoft 365, Teams, and other key apps are now ARM-native, improving performance and energy efficiency.
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Enterprises benefit from centralized patch management, MDM support (e.g., Intune), and longer device lifecycles with Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU).
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Action1 enables seamless patching for WoA endpoints, supporting ARM binaries, risk-based prioritization, P2P distribution, and audit-ready compliance reporting.
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WoA is a strategic asset post-Windows 10 EOL—offering cost savings, continuity, and future-ready security when supported by the right tools.
Windows on ARM (WoA) opens a new chapter for organizations by bringing Windows-powered productivity to ARM-based devices. Today, almost 25% of the companies in the USA have remote employees who primarily use laptops and tablets to work from home or while on the move. However, we all know that with one battery charge, you can usually use your laptop for about half a day.
Limited battery life is a huge challenge for many remote workers, and this is where Windows on ARM provides a solution. Devices equipped with ARM-based processors and fine-tuned to the ARM architecture deliver exceptional power efficiency. They consume less power during operation and achieve battery life results previously unseen. This means you can use your device for a whole day or even longer while maintaining enterprise-grade performance for demanding workloads.
Furthermore, ARM-based devices offer one significant advantage: they often have built-in cellular connectivity apart from the Wi-Fi or Ethernet one, allowing you to stay online by using a cellular data plan, just like with your mobile phone.
The fact that ARM native Windows apps are constantly growing and include the most widely used ones, such as Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive, and OneNote, makes these devices an ideal choice for remote employees.
Additionally, what makes Windows on ARM particularly compelling for enterprises is that reliable patch management capabilities have finally matured. Major vendors now provide comprehensive support for ARM-based devices, enabling centralized update deployment that improves overall security posture while ensuring smooth endpoint performance.
Moreover, the ARM-based processors bring hardware-level security through features like TrustZone technology, which creates isolated execution environments that effectively protect sensitive data from sophisticated threats.
In this article, we’ll explain what Windows on ARM is, how it differs from traditional Windows x86 systems, and why more enterprises are choosing it for modern workloads. You’ll also discover how WoA enables extended lifecycle support beyond Windows 10 EOL, how to manage updates and patches for ARM-based devices, and why centralized patching is critical for maintaining security, compliance, and operational continuity in the years ahead.
What is Windows on ARM (WoA)?
Windows on ARM is a unique version of the Windows operating system specifically built to run on devices powered by ARM-based processors and ARM architecture. These chipsets are well known for their power efficiency, allowing Windows devices such as laptops and tablets to operate longer on a single charge while keeping heat output and hardware costs lower. WoA is designed to bridge mobile-grade efficiency with desktop-grade productivity.
Key Differences from Traditional Windows x86
The most obvious difference is the processor architecture, where regular Windows runs on x86, or x64 processors, which are built by well known manufacturing tech giants like Intel and AMD and use complex instruction set (CISC) designed for general-purpose computing and can be found in the majority of the laptops on the market.
ARM processors work totally differently because they use a reduced instruction set architecture (RISC) that requires lower power consumption to function properly, making them ideal for mobile-first computing systems. These processors also use built-in emulation to run legacy applications originally built for x86 processors, so developers don’t need to rewrite their code.
ARM Native Windows Apps Drive Growing Adoption in Enterprise IT
Better hardware capabilities and business-ready features are speeding WoA adoption across enterprises. This growth is driven by key benefits like longer battery life, improved overall performance, and strong Microsoft support. This makes it an ideal choice for remote employees, enabling them to work from anywhere and boosting their productivity.
What’s more, Microsoft’s integration with Intune, cloud-native tools, and the WoA team’s ongoing investments make these devices easy to manage, without requiring complex workarounds or separate MDM strategies.
Why Enterprises Are Choosing Windows on ARM?
Enterprises are choosing Windows on ARM over legacy architecture because it simply makes more sense for how people work today. It runs faster, saves more power, allowing them to use their devices longer with a single charge, and offers stronger security. Moreover, Windows on ARM is designed to run AI workloads efficiently, leveraging hardware acceleration and optimized software stacks. Simply put, ARM-based devices are becoming the smart choice for companies that want better tools and results without the usual trade-offs.
Energy Efficiency and Battery Life Improvements
ARM processors use much less power than the standard chips found in most laptops, and as already mentioned, this helps the battery last way longer, which is great for remote workers or people who are constantly on the road.
Better Performance on ARM Hardware for Specific Use Cases
If your company uses cloud tools and apps that rely on AI or schedules regular team meetings via video calls, ARM devices show better performance and handle them using fewer system resources. This makes them perfect for healthcare, logistics, finance, and other industries where speed and reliability are key factors.
Increasing Support for Enterprise Applications
Many apps are now being built specifically for ARM devices. The developer community actively uses tools like Visual Studio and GitHub Actions to optimize or port their apps for better ARM performance. In fact, if your company solely relies on Windows apps, you won’t lose out, you’ll actually get better performance over time as more software is optimized for the platform.
ARM Architecture Security Features
WoA devices are built from the ground up with security in mind, ARM processors focus on security features like Secure Boot, BitLocker encryption, and integration with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). In combination with Microsoft’s strong software defenses, these features help your company improve the overall security posture and keep its data safe, even in environments with tight rules or higher risk.
How Windows on ARM Is Used in Enterprise Environments
Windows on ARM-based devices bring exactly what enterprises need: the right mix of boosted endpoint performance, stronger security features, needed flexibility, energy efficiency, and longer battery life to handle real-world business needs that help them achieve their goals and eliminate operational disruptions.
Common Deployment Scenarios
WoA devices prove their efficiency in remote work setups, especially when employees need to stay connected without carrying bulky hardware or being plugged in all the time. Their light weight and excellent battery life make them ideal for field teams, healthcare staff, or logistics pros moving between job sites.
You’ll also find them used in secure office environments where locked-down, reliable systems are critical. Because they’re less power-hungry and easier to manage, ARM-powered endpoints are gaining traction in financial services, education, and even some government use cases.
MDM and Enterprise Tools Integration for ARM-Based Devices
Enterprises can easily manage Windows on ARM devices just like any other Windows endpoint. They work flawlessly with mobile device management (MDM) platforms like Microsoft Intune and support policy enforcement and role-based access. The compatibility with existing security and deployment tools means your team won’t have to change the game when it comes to device management.
Case Examples and Industries Gaining Traction
Organizations operating in different industries such as retail, transportation, and healthcare are aggressively adopting WoA devices because they need secure, low-maintenance, cloud-ready systems that support business-critical apps and integrate smoothly with their existing tools and systems. ARM-based devices are operating on Windows OS, so you are not experimenting; you are simply upgrading how your team works, more quietly, securely, and efficiently.
Windows on ARM After Windows 10 EOL: A Strategic Advantage
Windows 10 end-of-life, coming on October 14, 2025, won’t obligate you to immediately replace your devices equipped with Windows on ARM, since Microsoft has made it clear that those devices are eligible for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. If you subscribe to the program, you will still receive critical security updates for up to three additional years after the Windows 10 EOL date.
Avoiding Forced Upgrades to Windows 11
If your Windows on ARM devices don’t meet the minimal requirements to upgrade to Windows 11, you have a choice, since you will not be forced to replace devices that just work fine. With ESU coverage, your endpoints can continue running Windows 10 securely while giving your organization time to test, plan, and roll out upgrades on your terms, not Microsoft’s timeline.
For businesses managing hundreds or even thousands of devices, this extended support model can help them achieve better ROI, lower hardware spending, and fewer operational disruptions that may be caused when upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Action1 Update & Patch Management for Windows on ARM Devices
Patching your Windows on ARM devices remains highly important to keep them secured, compliant, and operating smoothly. Patches are constantly released for remediating software vulnerabilities, fixing bugs, and introducing the latest features for better user experience. Without them your devices will be vulnerable to cyberattacks, data breaches, unexpected system crashes, and costly regulatory fines.
As we referred to earlier in this article, Microsoft will continue to update Windows 10 systems after the official EOL; however, it will be possible only when subscribing to their ESU program. This implies that your IT team can proceed with updating WoA endpoints using either the integrated update tools or a third-party patch management solution such as Action1.
Action1 is a cloud-native autonomous endpoint management solution that offers reliable and efficient support for patching Windows on ARM endpoints. With this tool your organization can remotely deploy updates to ARM endpoints, identify every single vulnerability across your network, and then prioritize them based on their CVSS score, potential business impact, and active exploitation in the wild.
With this software your organization can remotely deploy updates to ARM endpoints with the same policy logic, scheduling, and approval workflows already used across x86 devices. It’s seamless, cloud-native, and purpose-built for hybrid environments where unified control matters.
You get real-time patch visibility, risk-based vulnerability prioritization, testing features, and the ability to generate and submit compliance reports to ensure timely software vulnerability remediation without unnecessary downtime. The cloud-native platform automates each step of the patch management process, from vulnerability identification to remediation and report generation, ensuring your ARM-on-site and remote endpoints are always secured, compliant, and smoothly functioning.
It has a private software repository with 99% coverage for typical enterprise environments (Adobe, Chrome, Zoom, etc.), where each update undergoes tests for reliability and security purposes. Furthermore, the software uses peer-to-peer (P2P) patch distribution, helping you minimize external bandwidth usage and ensure rapid deployment of large updates without any on-premises cache servers or VPN connection.
On top of that, Action1 is now free for your first 200 endpoints, meaning that you can use it in your small business forever, with no functional limits, or extensively test it in your large enterprise before purchase. The platform adheres to globally recognized standards and regulations such as SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, TX-RAMP, CSA, CISA Secure by Design, CAIQ, and GDPR.
With extended support and remote patching in place, your ARM-based endpoints can stay compliant with internal policies and external regulations. Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, or other industry, this level of control helps you prove security readiness within regulatory frameworks while avoiding unnecessary risks tied to unsupported devices.
Benefits of Centralized Patch Management for WoA Devices
Centralized patch management for WoA devices brings key benefits that directly impact your organization’s security, efficiency, and compliance.
- Risk reduction from vulnerabilities: Keeping all of your endpoints current and running with the latest software updates remediates critical vulnerabilities, preventing cybercriminals from exploiting them and launching cyberattacks. Without timely patching, even a single outdated Windows on ARM device can destroy any hope of security, becoming a weak link in your security chain and exposing sensitive data while interrupting business operations.
- Ensuring consistent configuration: With centralized control, you can enforce consistent patch levels, versioning, system policies, and account configurations across all ARM-based endpoints. That means no device gets left behind or misconfigured. This level of consistency simplifies troubleshooting and ensures predictable behavior, especially when managing hundreds or thousands of remote devices.
- Reduced operational disruption with automation: Using a centralized patch management tool like Action1 automates every step from vulnerability identification to remediation and reporting. As a result, human errors are minimized and operational disruptions are avoided through scheduling endpoint patching at specific times.
- Regulatory compliance: Patch management solutions help you adhere to regulatory standards not only by keeping your endpoints up-to-date but also by equipping you with the ability to generate detailed audit-ready reports after each update cycle with just a few clicks. Therefore, patch management solutions guarantee that you won’t incur expensive regulatory penalties because of incomplete documentation or outdated software on your devices.
Future Outlook for Windows on ARM in the Enterprise post Windows 10 EOL Support
Windows 10 on ARM is not dead for sure, but it is entering a survival phase. After October 14, 2025, your only lifeline is the ESU program. Without it, your WoA devices will stop receiving security updates, leaving them vulnerable, unsupported, and potentially noncompliant.
The clock is ticking, and as you know, Microsoft will not deliver new features, only paid critical patches, and only for eligible ARM editions. This is why your patch management solution must explicitly support ARM binaries, or those updates will not apply at all.
One thing is for sure: enterprises that treat WoA as part of their long-term device management strategy, rather than a temporary fix, will benefit most. This is your chance to get excited about the future—double-check and modernize your devices if needed, align with cloud-native tools, and build a more power-efficient and secure endpoint fleet.
Will Microsoft Continue to Provide Updates and Security Patches for WoA Devices Post-Windows 10 EOL?
Yes, but only through the ESU program and only for Windows 10 editions built for ARM that are eligible for continued security updates. However, keep in mind that you should expect security fixes, not new features. Plan and budget for ESU if you intend to keep WoA devices on Windows 10 beyond the public end-of-support dates.
Can Organizations Continue Using WoA Devices Without Upgrading to Windows 11?
Yes, organizations can continue using Windows on ARM (WoA) devices without upgrading to Windows 11, but only if those devices are enrolled in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. The ESU ensures your WoA endpoints continue receiving critical security updates beyond the Windows 10 end-of-support date in October 2025.
However, if you skip ESU, those devices will no longer receive patches, leaving them exposed to vulnerabilities and potentially out of compliance with internal or regulatory requirements. If your hardware meets the Windows 11 on ARM requirements (check Microsoft’s compatibility information for details), it’s a good idea to start planning a phased upgrade path to maintain long-term support, feature updates, and security resilience.
How Does WoA Support Differ From Standard Windows 10 Support Post-EOL?
Functionally it is the same model: no mainstream features, only paid critical and important security updates through ESU. The practical difference is operational. Your team must verify ESU package availability for ARM builds and confirm your patch management solution can detect, deploy, and report on those ARM-specific updates.
Are There Risks in Running WoA Devices After Windows 10 Support Ends?
Yes and no. If you continue using your WoA devices without subscribing to Microsoft’s ESU program, then there are real risks of facing successful cyberattacks due to the inability to receive security updates. On the other hand, if you subscribe to the ESU program, then you can continue using your WoA devices as usual, without any additional risks.
How Can IT Teams Ensure Patch Compliance for WoA Devices Beyond Windows 10’s Lifecycle?
Inventory every WoA device, confirm ESU eligibility, and equip them with a reliable third-party patch management platform (like Action1) that can automatically identify vulnerabilities, remediate them through update deployment, and generate detailed reports after each update lifecycle. Add explicit dashboards and alerts for ARM devices so they never disappear inside x86-heavy reports, and document your ESU coverage for auditors.
What Tools or Platforms Support Update and Patch Management for WoA After Windows 10 EOL?
Use cloud-native patching platforms that already detect and deploy ARM builds, such as Action1, alongside Microsoft Intune or Configuration Manager where applicable. The winning stack will let you group WoA separately, schedule ESU rollouts, validate successful installs, and export audit-ready evidence in seconds.
Key Takeaways
Windows on ARM devices deliver key enterprise benefits: extended battery life, optional cellular connectivity, efficient performance for many workloads, and competitive pricing. Even after Windows 10 EOL, WoA endpoints remain viable thanks to Microsoft’s ESU program.
However, staying secure depends on preparation. To minimize operational disruptions, reduce software vulnerability exploitation, and help avoid potential regulatory fines, you need a patch management tool that fully supports ARM-based endpoints, allowing you to automate each step of the patching process from vulnerability identification to remediation.
You need a platform like Action1 that can help keep your on-premises and remote devices up-to-date, ensure smoother performance, strengthen the security posture across your network, and generate audit-ready reports with minimal manual intervention.
This approach helps you reduce the risk of cyberattacks launched through unpatched vulnerabilities while also supporting your team’s productivity and operational efficiency.
