Google Drive is set to become available on Arm-based Windows PCs starting March 24, 2025, with a rollout period lasting 15 days. The rising popularity of ARM64 computing is making Windows on Arm a practical option for both developers and consumers.
Chipsets like Snapdragon 8 Elite and X Elite are facilitating powerful software capabilities on efficient devices, paving the way for cross-compatible applications and services. Google Drive has gained a reputation as a preferred cloud storage solution due to its extensive features and user-friendliness, often outpacing more security-focused alternatives like Proton Drive.
Although Google introduced a beta version of Drive for Arm-based Windows PCs in November 2024, it did not guarantee flawless functionality. By late March 2025, most users will gain standard access to Google Drive, with an expected maximum rollout period of 15 days for less common markets.
Early Arm PCs were criticized for their performance as productivity devices. Experts noted that while these computers boasted excellent battery life and continuous functionality, the limited support for commonly used applications rendered them impractical.
Over time, however, the combination of mobile-centric hardware and desktop computing has become a more appealing option, as evidenced by the growing popularity of Arm-powered Copilot+ laptops. With Google Drive moving out of beta, the company suggests that Windows on Arm is a promising landscape for developers, making it a sensible investment for consumers as well.
Other services, like Proton VPN and Signal, have also acknowledged the platform, while gaming company Valve has explored ARM64 support, presumably linked to its SteamOS rather than Windows. As reported by Android Police, Windows on Arm may finally be emerging as a viable platform.
Google Drive is not the company’s first initiative to champion this platform’s potential, as Quick Share has had ARM64 support since mid-2024. The awe-inspiring performance of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset in leading smartphones enables a new wave of compute-heavy software previously unfeasible on less efficient devices.
Looking ahead, with processors like the Snapdragon X Elite, we can anticipate ongoing advancements in cross-compatible applications and features that demand less processing power compared to their x86/x64 counterparts.
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