I’m putting Windows on ARM compatibility to the test with my accessories and peripherals — has anything improved?

Testing my wireless earbuds, joypads, and printer to see if ARM-based Windows devices can support my favorite accessories.

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I’ve been a traditional desktop Windows user for decades, sticking to 32-bit and 64-bit apps with standard processors from Intel and AMD. Compatibility has never been an issue with my endless pile of accessories and USB-powered peripherals sincemost of the world uses Windows 10and 11, and manufacturers prioritize their drivers to x86-64 systems first. However, afterpicking up a second-hand Surface Pro Xto check on the progress ofWindows on ARM, it feels necessary to catch everyone up on the compatibility of everyday accessories.

It might seem unusual to some Windows fans that physical accessories should suffer any incompatibility, especially sinceall of your apps will work on Windows 11, whether natively built for ARM or launched via emulation. Any hint of controversy with ARM lies in hardware drivers, which are crucial components that allow your PC to understand and communicate with your connected device.Microsoft even warned of potential roadblocksas its first-party ARM range expanded, but how does the experience fare in real-world usage?

Wireless dongles and Bluetooth connectivity

Most wireless keyboards and mice rely on either a dedicated USB-A or USB-C dongle using 2.4GHz signals or the same Bluetooth technology used by smartphones. I certainly don’t suffer from a lack of peripherals, as my office becomes overrun by wireless devices competing for my affection, so let’s test some with the Surface Pro X. First up, apreviously reviewed SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wirelessgaming keyboard which, rather appropriately, supports both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. When I connect its USB-C dongle, the Windows Settings menu automatically identifies the model, and everything works as expected.

It’s running alongside an already-connected, third-party Bluetooth wireless keyboard that replaces expensive first-party Surface Signature Keyboard addons for my unit. This keyboard also features an (admittedly poor) touchpad, and both communicate with Windows 11 on the ARM-based Surface Pro X, complete with a battery life readout in Settings. An identical experiment with aCorsair Katar Elitewireless mouse also shows no issue, whether connecting via Bluetooth or USB-A. Eagle-eyed Surface fans will know thatthe Pro X lacks USB-Aports, but an$80 Targus docking station from Amazonsolves that, also without compatibility issues.

On the audio side, I reached for a pair of ultra-cheap Bluetooth-powered earbuds to test wireless audio output and microphone input. Windows 11’s Bluetooth menu recognizesMoondrop’s $25 Space Travel budswithout issue since they don’t require third-party drivers to handle uncommon features. It’s a recurring theme that Microsoft provides generic drivers for widely-used peripherals, so even an ultra-basic set of wireless earphones can connect to a Windows on Arm device over Bluetooth without special software.

Microsoft provides generic drivers for widely used peripherals, so wireless earphones can connect without special software.

For something a little fancier,RØDE’s world-class $149 Wireless MEclip-on microphone system connects to the Surface Pro X with a USB-C to USB-C cable and still doesn’t require any branded companion apps or separate downloads. After a brief pause to think, Windows 11 recognized and named the wireless mic, allowing me to select it as my default input method for making local recordings or joining video meetings with an extra degree of freedom and a step up in quality over the (already competent) built-in Surface Pro X microphone.

External monitors and gaming on joypads

While using the same docking station I mentioned earlier, connecting a27-inch Alienware gaming monitorvia USB-C to HDMI gives me access to higher resolutions and refresh rates without problems. You’ll only see limits from your ARM device and its ports regarding 4K support, but Windows 11 doesn’t exhibit any unusual bugs or compatibility issues while I’m running multiple screens. Wirelessly connecting to my48-inch LG C2OLED TV via webOS also works on the first try, though I rarely use the function outside of sharing occasional videos with the family.

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HDMI-out pairs perfectly withXbox Cloud Gamingto stream console titles orNVIDIA GeForce NOWfor PC equivalents alongside a compatible joypad. Connecting anofficial Xbox controller via Bluetoothor a third-partyVictrix Gambitwith a USB-C cable to the Surface Pro X uses official Microsoft drivers for Xinput anyway, so there aren’t any problems with common joypads. While some more lightweightWindows on ARM devicesdon’t advertise themselves to a gaming-centric crowd, cloud streaming offers a brilliant solution to bridge the gap, especially if you pick up a5G-compatible option.

Printer drivers are the only real caveat

It’s not a guarded secret that printer (or, more specifically, scanner) functionality isn’t as good as it could be on ARM devices running Windows.Microsoft admitsthat its Windows Fax and Scan app isn’t available right now, and brand-specific options generally offer basic printing support but nothing for scanning. That’s not to say you’re out of luck for scanning a document, as the stockSnipping tool has OCRfeatures that read and decipher text on a photographed page. Naturally, you’d need convenient access to a camera, like the built-in rear-facing camera on my Surface Pro X, or anexternal webcamto take advantage of this alternative method.

Scanning documents is the only roadblock I’ve experienced with Windows on ARM.

However, the default printer driver in Windows 11 works perfectly on ARM devices for general print jobs sent from Office 365 orPDFs in Microsoft Edge. My wireless Brother DCP-1610W monochrome toner printer is visible over Wi-Fi, and the Surface Pro X identified it without any problems. Certain brands likeCanon explicitly list supported printers for ARM devices, and it’s best practice to check with your manufacturer first. Nevertheless, scanning documents is the only roadblock I’ve experienced with Windows on ARM, and all of my other devices connect without issue.

Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.