Google now wants a share of the pie as Microsoft plans to give the ARM version of Windows 11 an additional boost in 2024.

Google has started testing Chrome for Windows on ARM. Anyone who already has such a system today can test the Internet browser in a very early beta via the Canary channel. This means that the world’s most popular browser is now also available natively on the ARM version of Windows 11. Previously, you had to run the Internet browser via emulation, which affects your system’s performance and battery life.

Chrome on ARM is new, but the open source Chromium engine behind the browser has been compatible for some time. Edge, which comes standard with Windows on ARM, runs on Chromium and works natively. Chrome on Chromebooks also runs natively on ARM-compatible machines.

With Google now also eyeing Windows on ARM, the search giant believes 2024 could be a big year for this Windows 11 release from Microsoft. Traditionally, it takes a few months after a Canary build until a stable version is available.

This timing roughly coincides with the availability of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips for laptops. This promises a welcome boost in performance that brings it in line with the 13th generation of Intel chips, albeit on the more economical ARM architecture that all Mac devices run on today.

Qualcomm’s latest, fast chips could tempt almost every PC maker to build systems. Will 2024 finally be the breakthrough for Windows on ARM, twelve years after the flop of Windows RT (and Windows 8)? With the success of Apple and its M chips, the stars seem to be aligned.

According to reports, the exclusive contract with Qualcomm also expires at the end of 2024. After that, any ARM chip maker can supply components to PC makers that build Windows on ARM systems. 2024 and especially 2025 will be crucial for the ARM version of Windows 11.