🔥36氪•Stalecollected in 9m
WPS Office Launches Native Windows on ARM Version
💡See how a major office suite successfully transitioned to native ARM64, setting a benchmark for cross-platform software.
⚡ 30-Second TL;DR
What Changed
Built on Microsoft ARM64EC architecture for native performance
Why It Matters
This move signals the maturation of the Windows on ARM ecosystem for enterprise productivity software, potentially encouraging more developers to port complex office suites to ARM-based hardware.
What To Do Next
If you are developing enterprise productivity tools, evaluate the ARM64EC architecture to optimize your software for next-gen ARM-based PCs.
Who should care:Developers & AI Engineers
Key Points
- •Built on Microsoft ARM64EC architecture for native performance
- •Maintains full compatibility with x64 plugin ecosystem
- •Supports a massive global user base of 678 million monthly active devices
🧠 Deep Insight
Web-grounded analysis with 24 cited sources.
🔑 Enhanced Key Takeaways
- •The ARM64EC architecture, on which WPS Office's native version is built, is an Application Binary Interface (ABI) for Windows 11 on ARM that enables native performance while maintaining binary compatibility with x64 code, allowing for incremental porting of existing applications.
- •This release positions WPS Office alongside Microsoft Office, which also adopted ARM64EC for its 64-bit version on Windows on ARM in June 2021, to ensure seamless operation with existing x64 plugins and add-ins.
- •WPS Office, developed by Kingsoft Office Software, has a significant market presence in China, particularly among government agencies and state-owned enterprises, benefiting from the country's push for domestic technology self-reliance.
- •Beyond core office functions, WPS Office integrates advanced features such as AI capabilities for writing assistance and background removal, cloud synchronization across devices, and comprehensive PDF editing tools.
📊 Competitor Analysis▸ Show
Competitor Analysis: WPS Office vs. Key Competitors on Windows on ARM
| Feature / Aspect | WPS Office (Kingsoft Office) | Microsoft Office (Microsoft 365) | LibreOffice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows on ARM Support | Native version built on ARM64EC architecture (released Feb 2026) | Native 64-bit ARM version using ARM64EC (released June 2021) | Native Windows on ARM (Arm64) support with LibreOffice 24.8 (released Aug 2024) |
| x64 Plugin Compatibility | Full compatibility with existing x64 plugin ecosystem via ARM64EC | Maintains compatibility with existing 64-bit add-ins using x64 emulation capability | Generally relies on native ARM64 plugins; x64 plugin compatibility not a primary feature of its native ARM64 build. |
| Pricing Model | Freemium (free basic version, premium subscription for advanced features and no ads) | Subscription-based (Microsoft 365) or perpetual license for standalone versions | Free and open-source |
| Core Applications | Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, PDF, Photo | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, etc. | Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math |
| AI Features | Integrated AI capabilities (e.g., writing assistance, background removal, translation) | AI features (e.g., Copilot) integrated into Microsoft 365 | Limited or no built-in AI features compared to proprietary suites. |
| Cloud Integration | WPS Cloud (1GB free storage), supports third-party storage | OneDrive, SharePoint, extensive cloud collaboration | Cloud integration typically via third-party services. |
| Market Share (Global Office Suites) | Est. 0.02% (ranking #12, for specific business segment) | Est. 11.73% | Top competitor to WPS Office (specific market share not found in search results for global office suites) |
| User Base | 678 million monthly active devices (global) | Billions of users globally | Millions of users globally |
Note: Global market share data for WPS Office appears to refer to a specific business segment (593 companies) and may not reflect the broader consumer user base of 678 million monthly active devices mentioned in the article.
🛠️ Technical Deep Dive
- ARM64EC (Emulation Compatible) ABI: This is a new Application Binary Interface (ABI) specifically for Windows 11 on ARM, designed to allow native ARM code to interoperate seamlessly with x64 code running under emulation within the same process.
- Instruction Set: ARM64EC utilizes the standard 64-bit ARMv8 instruction set, identical to classic ARM64. It is not a new instruction set.
- x64 Software Conventions: To achieve interoperability, ARM64EC code adheres to x64 software conventions, including calling conventions, stack usage, data structure layout, and preprocessor definitions. This ensures that ARM64EC and x64 code can call each other directly without explicit bridging layers like PInvoke.
- Incremental Porting: Developers can incrementally recompile parts of an existing x64 application as ARM64EC. The ARM64EC portions run with native performance, while any remaining x64 code continues to run efficiently via Windows 11's built-in emulation. This allows for a gradual transition to full native ARM performance.
- Binary Compatibility: ARM64EC binaries can link with both x64 and ARM64EC libraries. In contrast, pure ARM64 binaries can only link with ARM64 libraries.
- Development Environment: Building ARM64EC applications typically requires the Windows 11 SDK and Visual Studio 2022 versions 17.4 or later.
- Identification: In Windows Task Manager, applications or processes running as ARM64EC are identified as "ARM64 (x64 compatible)" in the Architecture column.
🔮 Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources
The release of WPS Office's native Windows on ARM version will accelerate the adoption of ARM-powered Windows devices.
Improved native software compatibility, especially for widely used productivity suites, removes a significant barrier for users considering Windows on ARM hardware, enhancing overall user experience and performance.
WPS Office will strengthen its competitive position in the global office suite market, particularly in emerging markets and regions prioritizing domestic software.
By offering a high-performance, natively compatible office suite on a growing platform like Windows on ARM, combined with its existing freemium model and AI features, WPS Office can attract users seeking alternatives to dominant players.
The ARM64EC architecture will become a standard for developers aiming for optimal performance and broad compatibility on Windows on ARM.
ARM64EC's ability to mix native ARM code with emulated x64 components provides a practical pathway for developers to transition complex applications, making it a crucial tool for the Windows on ARM ecosystem.
⏳ Timeline
1988
Kingsoft Corporation founded by Qiu Bojun.
1989
WPS 1.0, a Chinese-language word processor, released for DOS systems.
2007
Kingsoft Office 2007 released, marking the first attempt to enter international markets with English and Japanese language support; native Chinese version continued as WPS Office.
2014-06
All Kingsoft Office products officially rebranded as WPS Office.
2021-06
Microsoft announces ARM64EC and releases native 64-bit Office for Windows 11 on ARM.
2024-08
LibreOffice 24.8 released with native Windows on ARM (Arm64) support.
2026-02
WPS Office releases native Windows on ARM version built on ARM64EC architecture.
📎 Sources (24)
Factual claims are grounded in the sources below. Forward-looking analysis is AI-generated interpretation.
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