ExpressVPN is available for Microsoft Copilot+ PCs

Thanks to the ingenuity of our engineers, you can now enjoy full ExpressVPN protection on Microsoft’s cutting-edge Copilot+ PC laptops, making us one of the first top-tier VPNs to support the AI-focused computers.

Microsoft has been making waves with the introduction of its ARM-based computers using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips. The main draw? Snapdragon can run artificial intelligence features without expending large amounts of battery life. These laptops, known as Copilot+ PCs, are named after Microsoft’s AI chatbot, Copilot.

When Copilot+ devices launched several months ago, virtually none of the top VPN apps could be used on them, including ExpressVPN. But we knew that we couldn’t leave this new product category unprotected, so our engineers went to work. And today, we’re proud to announce an ExpressVPN ARM application that is up to our exacting standards. 

ExpressVPN for Copilot+ PCs is now available from our Windows VPN download page. 

Emulation coupled with a significant rebuild

Microsoft’s ARM-based laptops are still new, and compatible apps are limited. Most existing software for Windows was built for Intel, not ARM. This will change gradually.

At ExpressVPN, we originally intended to build an ARM-native application, but as our engineers progressed through the build process and became more familiar with the new ecosystem, we decided to change course. 

With the release of Microsoft’s new Prism emulator in the recent Windows 11 24H2 upgrade, the ARM emulator technology reached a stage where emulated app quality would be directly comparable to a native build. Microsoft calls it “as efficient as Apple’s Rosetta 2 translation layer,” adding that it “can emulate apps twice as fast as the previous generation of Windows on ARM devices.”

So we used it. Our engineers completely rebuilt the driver for our patented Lightway protocol to work with ARM machines, using Prism to emulate the remaining services, like our UI and backend. This hybrid semi-native approach means ExpressVPN users get the best of both worlds—the full security of our premium VPN service and a far more condensed development time.  

Moving fast, for your security

We’re constantly innovating to enable ExpressVPN subscribers to enjoy strong privacy protections and content access on every platform as they emerge. 

That has included not only major devices like iPhone and Android but also the latest Silicon Macs and streaming devices such as Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. Any internet-connected device can be covered by our Aircove router, which has ExpressVPN functionality built right in.

Every user can enjoy ExpressVPN on a wide variety of devices, with eight connected to the VPN at the same time under a single subscription.

Don’t have ExpressVPN yet? Get it now for greater privacy and security on all your devices.