Citrix Workspace app for Windows: ARM64 Native Support FAQ
Overview
Citrix is introducing a native ARM64 build of Citrix Workspace app for Windows to deliver optimal performance on ARM-based devices such as Microsoft Surface Pro (with Qualcomm Snapdragon), Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, and other Windows on ARM hardware. Previously, Citrix Workspace app ran on ARM64 devices via x86 emulation (Win32 build under the Windows emulation layer). The native ARM64 build eliminates the emulation overhead, delivering improved performance, reduced memory usage, and full compatibility with the ARM64 instruction set.
Timeline
| Milestone | Release | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ARM64 Tech Preview | Citrix Workspace app 2603 CR | Native ARM64 build available for evaluation. Clean install only. Not for production use. |
| ARM64 General Availability | Citrix Workspace app 2607 LTSR | Native ARM64 build fully supported. Clean install required. |
General Questions
What is the ARM64 Tech Preview?
The ARM64 Tech Preview is a native ARM64 build of Citrix Workspace app for Windows, available starting with Citrix Workspace app 2603 CR. It runs natively on ARM64 devices without relying on x86 emulation, delivering improved performance and reduced resource consumption.
Is the Tech Preview intended for production use?
No. The ARM64 Tech Preview is intended for evaluation and testing only. It is not supported for production deployments. Production support begins with General Availability in Citrix Workspace app 2607 LTSR.
What features are supported in the ARM64 Tech Preview?
- Native ARM64 execution: Citrix Workspace app runs natively on ARM64 hardware without x86 emulation.
- App Protection: Runs natively on ARM64.
- deviceTrust: Runs natively on ARM64.
- Audio and video in virtual desktops: Both audio and video function correctly when connecting to a virtual desktop session.
- HDX session launch and features: Full session functionality.
Are Microsoft Teams and Zoom optimization plugins supported?
The ARM64 Tech Preview does not include optimized plugins for Microsoft Teams or Zoom. However, when you connect to a virtual desktop, both audio and video work through the standard HDX audio and video redirection. Optimization packs are not required for basic audio and video functionality in a VDI session.
Do I need to rebuild my custom Virtual Channels (VCs) for ARM64?
Yes. If you have custom Virtual Channels that were running on ARM64 devices under x86 emulation (as 32-bit VCs), those VCs do not work with the native ARM64 Citrix Workspace app. You must rebuild them as ARM64-native by using the ARM64 Virtual Channel SDK. While this is not a migration in the same sense as the x64 transition (where existing 32-bit native VCs were recompiled as 64-bit), any custom VC functionality that was previously running under emulation must be rebuilt to work with the ARM64 Citrix Workspace app.
Installation and Upgrade
What are the installation requirements for the ARM64 Tech Preview?
The ARM64 Tech Preview requires a clean install only. You must uninstall any existing version of Citrix Workspace app (including the 32-bit version running under emulation) before you install the ARM64 Tech Preview.
Upgrade scenarios from any existing Citrix Workspace app to ARM64 are not supported , neither during Tech Preview nor at General Availability (GA). This restriction includes upgrading from the 32-bit version of the app that runs under emulation. You must always uninstall the existing Citrix Workspace app before you install the ARM64 build.
Will upgrades from 32-bit Citrix Workspace app to ARM64 supported at General Availability (GA)?
No. Installing ARM64 Citrix Workspace app over an existing 32-bit CWA is not supported, neither during Tech Preview nor at GA. You must always uninstall the existing CWA before installing the native ARM64 build. This applies to both the emulated 32-bit CWA and any other CWA architecture.
What happens if I try to install ARM64 Citrix Workspace app over an existing 32-bit version during Tech Preview?
The installer blocks the installation and notifies you that the existing Citrix Workspace app must be uninstalled first. You must manually uninstall the current version before you proceed with the ARM64 Tech Preview installation.
Can I return to the 32-bit (emulated) Citrix Workspace app after I install ARM64?
Yes. You must first uninstall the ARM64 CWA version before you install the 32-bit version. Direct downgrade from ARM64 to 32-bit (emulated) is not supported. The installer blocks this scenario.
Architecture Compatibility Matrix
The following rules describe which installers can be installed or upgraded on each machine architecture for both Tech Preview and GA.
Win32 (32-bit) machine
- ARM64 Citrix Workspace app cannot be installed on a 32-bit system; the installation is blocked.
x64 machine
- ARM64 Citrix Workspace app cannot be installed on an x64 system; the installation is blocked.
ARM64 machine
-
Supported:
- Clean install of ARM64 Citrix Workspace app on a system with no prior version.
- Post-GA ARM64 to ARM64 upgrade (standard upgrade path).
-
Blocked (Uninstall the existing version first):
- ARM64 to Win32.
- ARM64 to x64.
- ARM64 to Win32 (emulation).
- Win32 (emulation) to ARM64 — ARM64 always requires a clean install.
Tech Preview vs. General Availability
Supported in both
- Native ARM64 execution
- App Protection
- Browser content redirection
- deviceTrust
- Audio and video in VDI sessions
- Clean install on ARM64
- Custom Virtual Channels must be rebuilt as ARM64-native using the VC SDK
- Upgrade from Win32 (emulated) to ARM64 is not supported. A clean install is required.
Tech Preview (2603 CR) only
- Evaluation only; not for production use
- No optimized plugins for Microsoft Teams or Zoom
GA (2607 LTSR)
- Fully supported for production use
- Endpoint analysis
- Microsoft Teams optimized plugin (TBD)
- Webex optimized plugin (TBD)
- Zoom optimized plugin (TBD)
Configuration and Settings
Do my existing GPO policies and GACS configurations carry over?
For Tech Preview and GA, since a clean install is required, administrators should reapply configurations after installation. GPO and GACS policies apply to the ARM64 build at session start as they do with the Win32 and x64 builds.
At General Availability (GA) (2607 LTSR), ARM64 still requires a clean install. You must uninstall the existing Citrix Workspace app first. Administrators must reapply custom registry configurations and validate settings after the installation.
Are there any registry path differences for the ARM64 build?
The ARM64 build uses standard Citrix registry paths. Administrators should validate custom registry configurations after installation, particularly settings that reference architecture-specific paths.
Support
How do I report issues with the ARM64 Tech Preview?
Report issues through your Citrix account team or via the Citrix Feedback Form with the ARM64 Tech Preview designation.
What if I encounter an issue—can I revert to the emulated 32-bit Citrix Workspace app?
Yes. Uninstall the ARM64 Tech Preview, and then install the 32-bit version. The 32-bit build continues to run under x86 emulation on ARM64 devices. Direct downgrade is not supported.
Summary of Key Points
- ARM64 Tech Preview is available with Citrix Workspace app 2603 current release (CR). This release is for evaluation only and is not for production.
- The Tech Preview requires a clean install. You must uninstall any existing Citrix Workspace app first.
- Upgrades from any existing Citrix Workspace app to ARM64 are unsupported. You must always uninstall the existing app before you install the ARM64 build..
- The ARM64 General Availability (GA) release, which includes full production support, arrives with Citrix Workspace app 2607 LTSR.
- App Protection, browser content redirection (BCR), and deviceTrust run natively on ARM64..
- Optimized plug-ins for Microsoft Teams and Zoom are unavailable during the Tech Preview. Audio and video still work in VDI sessions.
- You must rebuild custom virtual channels that run under emulation as ARM64-native by using the virtual channel SDK.
- You can install ARM64 Citrix Workspace app only on ARM64 devices. Cross-architecture installation is blocked in all directions.