How to check if an app is running native on Windows on ARM
Task Manager can show the processor architecture of every running process. It takes about 30 seconds to set up.
Updated Nov 5, 2026 · 3 min readTurn on the Architecture column
- 01Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- 02Open the Details page.
- 03Right-click any column header and choose Select columns.
- 04Tick Architecture and click OK.
What the values mean
- ARM64
- Native. The app was built for ARM and runs at full speed.
- ARM64 (x64 compatible)
- ARM64EC. The app's own code runs natively, and it can still load older x64 plug-ins in the same process.
- x64
- Emulated. Windows translates the app with Prism. Most apps work, but they're slower and use more battery.
- x86
- 32-bit, emulated. Usually a very old app or an old installer.
Check the app, not the installer
Many installers are still x86 or x64 even when they install a native ARM64 app. Web installers often detect your processor and download the right build. Open the app after installing it and check its process in Task Manager.
If a listing here says native but Task Manager shows x64, you may have the x64 build. Reinstall from the ARM64 link on the app's page. If that doesn't fix it, let us know.
Plug-ins and extensions
A native ARM64 app can only load ARM64 plug-ins. If a DAW, browser or design tool won't load an older plug-in, check whether the host is ARM64EC. ARM64EC hosts can load x64 plug-ins.