P: Native Support for WOS/CoPilot/ARM Devices

[ranganadh vamsik15184051]

Need Support for WOS Devices (Windows on Snapdragon)

[realmasters]

A number of Windows laptops have been announced that are based on the new Snapdragon X Elite CPU. These look to be powerful machines. Is Adobe planning to optimise LR Classic (&/or Desktop) for these devices? 

Thanks. 

[Sunny UK]

With a slew of new laptops (including MS Surface Pro 11) being built on the ARM Snapdragon platform, does anyone know categorically whether it is possible to install and run Lightroom Classic on Window-on-ARM in emulation mode?

According to the system requirements (https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/system-requirements.html) it needs an Intel or AMD processor.

However, I've found this analysis (paid for by Microsoft) of the performance of the new Surface: https://signal65.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NewSurfaceLaptop2024_Signal65LabInsights.pdf . On page 24, there is an assessment of the performance of LrC running in emulation mode on the Surface 11. That suggests that it is possible.

If this needs to be raised as a feature request, can anyone point me in the direction of how I should do that?

[Ian Lyons]

I don't have an answer to your question and doubt that other users will have either. That being said, I'm sure that it will shortly generate significant interest.

I've moved your post to the 'Ideas' forum.

[johnrellis]

Lightroom Classic (Intel) does run on Windows 11 (ARM).  I've run LRC (Intel) in a Windows 11 (ARM) virtual machine in a Parallels / Mac / Apple Silicon (ARM) host for over a year.  It's not super speedy (mainly because the Parallels / Mac host doesn't provide the Windows virtual machines with access to the GPU), but it's fast enough for me to thoroughly test my LR plugins on Windows and help answer questions here in the forums.

See here for details:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/can-t-install-classic-in-parallels-on-m...

[Grune]

I received confirmation from Microsoft today that Lightroom Classic is already natively supported.

[Victoria Bampton LR Queen]

Isn't that an ARM based processor? I'm not sure that's true. Lightroom is, but not Lightroom Classic. It might run on emulation.

[Grune]

This is what a Microsoft service advisor told me, but obviously they are lying! I asked Copilot, and here is the answer: In summary, Lightroom Classic can run on the Snapdragon X Elite thanks to emulation, but we're still waiting for a native version for optimal performance. Adobe may optimize Lightroom Classic for these new devices in the future, but for now, emulation is a viable option2.

[Victoria Bampton LR Queen]

That sounds more like I'd expect. I believe Lightroom (non-Classic) and Photoshop are the only native at the moment. 

[realmasters]

Thanks @Grune and @Victoria Bampton LR Queen for clarifying the situation. My assumption is that they will address LR Classic in due course...

[Carlos3096277347o3]

Or at least will work through the Prisma ?

Best regards.

[Ian Lyons]

This is a Community (i.e. User) forum. So, folk here aren't in the know any more than you are. That being said, I've provided a link below dated December 2022 where Adobe states their intentions re support for Windows Arm. Note the the comment re Lightroom (not Classic) and Photoshop.

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/download-install/kb/arm-processors.html

A more recent article by Windows Central may also be informative

https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/adobe-native-support-for-windows-on-arm

[johnrellis]

@Carlos3096277347o3: "Or at least will work through the Prism"

I've been running LR Classic (Intel) on Windows 11 (ARM) (via a Mac Parallels virtual machine) for over a year.

[Sunny UK]

Input from people who have purchased a Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition suggests that it is not possible to install Lightroom Classic on the machine.

This is despite the fact that it is possible to install it under Parallels on a Mac (as per John Ellis' screenshots in the linked article).

The ARM compatibility page has been updated on 18 June 2024 (i.e., the day the Snapdragon X Surface models were released): https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/arm-processors.html 

The page does not mention Lightroom Classic anywhere - not as "does work on Co-pilot+ PCs", not under "when does Adobe plan to release other apps for Co-Pilot+ PCs" and also not under "which apps can run natively on Co-Pilot+ PCs".  It almost looks as if Adobe is ignoring Lightroom Classic.

What is the best way to influence Adobe to address this? 

[Ian Lyons]

Posts to this forum are reviewed by the Adobe Product teams on regular basis. 

[Sunny UK]

I have learnt on Reddit that some users are able to successfully install Lightroom Classic on a Surface Pro 11 (i.e., Windows on Arms) in emulation mode.

When I'm using Creative Cloud Desktop and logged into Adobe, I simply don't see Lightroom Classic as an option. He, on the other hand, does, together with a warning about that since he's on an ARM computer, it will be an Intel version that is downloaded for emulation.

This confuses me. We clearly see the same thing, despite us both using the same version of creative cloud.

I am in the UK. He is in the US. Might it be the case that Adobe is allowing download of LRC in one region but not in another?

If anyone reading this has either successfully installed LRC in emulation under Windows-on-ARM, or has tried but not succeded, would you mind sharing your location please?

[Hagdata]

When will Lightroom classic be available for Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Series processors?

[JohanElzenga]

Adobe does not comment on future developments, so you won't get an answer here.

[johnrellis]

Moderators, @Rikk Flohr: Photography, @Rick Spaulding -, please merge this becoming-popular FAQ with this idea:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-need-support-for-wos-devices/idi-p/13649447

[johnrellis]

Moderators, @Rikk Flohr: Photography, @Rick Spaulding -, please merge this becoming-popular FAQ with this idea:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-need-support-for-wos-devices/idi-p/13649447

[johnrellis]

Moderators, @Rikk Flohr: Photography, @Rick Spaulding -, please merge this becoming-popular FAQ with this idea:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-need-support-for-wos-devices/idi-p/13649447

[Hagdata]

Can I run LrC in emulated mode (Snapdragon X Elite)? How do I do that? What and where do I download a version that I can use? Greatful for any help.

[Hagdata]

Ok, thanks. 

[Sunny UK]

I spoke with Adobe support today, and the helpful agent gave me this response:

As of now from all the information I gathered, Lightroom classic is not available for ARM based machines. Currently LrC is available on winarm only in simulated mode in NA regions.

I'd advise you to please fil this Adobe Wish Form so that our team can review it and work on it accordingly.

https://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html

So although the form appears to just pass you onto this very same forum, I would suggest that anyone outside North America who would like to run Lightroom Classic on an ARM based machine fills logs a request to remove the "if region = NA" from Adobe's logic for determining whether Lightroom Classic should be installable on Windows ARM via Creative Cloud.

The fact that there was a problem last year installing LR Classic (Intel) on Windows 11 (ARM), and Adobe acknowledged it and fixed the problem very quickly shows that it is a very small change to amend that if statement.

[JuniorJr]

It does install and run.

I had trouble sending pics to PS though.  It wouldn't, and just show me photoshop w/o my images.  Tried to uninstall and re-install both in opposite order and didn't help.  I know one is emulated and the other is not.. not sure if that has anything to do w/ it.  PS was not teh beta version.

[PhilBurton]

@JuniorJr

Where are you located?  It would be useful if everyone who posts here identifies their region.