** **GitHub Actions has expanded its support to include Windows on Arm runners for all public repositories, including free tier accounts. This enhancement streamlines continuous integration workflows, allowing developers to effectively target Arm-based Windows applications. By integrating Arm runners, open-source projects can achieve better compatibility and reliability across diverse architectures.*
GitHub Actions Expands Support for Windows on Arm Runners
In an exciting update, GitHub Actions now supports Windows on Arm runners for all public repositories. This enhancement is a game-changer for developers targeting Arm-powered devices, particularly the Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs.
What’s New?
As of April 14, 2025, developers can incorporate Windows on Arm targets into their continuous integration (CI) pipelines. This feature is available even for GitHub Free tier accounts. Marcus Perryman, Principal Engineer at GitHub, stated:
“We are continuously investing in improving the Windows on Arm developer experience by providing and improving the tools needed by developers.”
This update simplifies workflows and allows for better support of Arm-based Windows applications, making it easier to ensure compatibility across different architectures.
Major Updates
Here are some key benefits of this update:
- Expanded Architecture Support: With the rise of Windows on Arm devices, developers can now extend support without additional infrastructure.
- Improved CI Workflows: By adding Arm runners to your pipeline, you can achieve consistent testing across both Arm and Intel architectures.
- Open-Source Project Benefits: This update reinforces GitHub’s commitment to innovation in the open-source community, allowing free tier accounts to leverage Arm runners.
What’s Important to Know
The new Windows 11 Arm image for GitHub runners comes equipped with essential tooling and software for various development environments. To get started, adding Windows on Arm targets to your CI pipeline is straightforward. Simply include the “windows-11-arm” runner target in your YAML workflow.
For example, if you’re working on a C# project using Visual Studio tools, integrating this feature is seamless. This update not only enhances your development process but also ensures your applications perform reliably across platforms.
Moving Forward
The inclusion of Windows on Arm runners in GitHub Actions represents a significant leap for developers and open-source projects. By adopting Arm targets, you can broaden your project’s reach and compatibility. As Marcus Perryman puts it:
“This marks a valuable step forward for open-source projects and developers aiming to support diverse architectures.”
Try it out today and elevate your development experience with GitHub Actions!
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