Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code in surface pro x

Question

Can I use or run Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code in an arm64 based Windows 10 PC like Surface pro x?

Answer 1

Microsoft has a VS build specifically for SQ1 chips. You have to request it. VS in emulation is the most absolute worst experience to have to live in. Just ask them.

Answer 2

Hi

Actually you can use both Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code with an Arm64 based PC. Windows 10 comes with a 32 bit emulator that allows you to run any 32 bit program. You can't run 64 bit programs, but both VS and VSC run or have a 32 bit option. I've been using both on my Surface Pro X (also on a Lenovo C630). I do see at times a little slowing that I believe is do to the 32 bit emulation. One example is when I am trying move a control (i.e. slider) using the graphics editor. Its fairly slow for UWP, but not bad for NET and WPF. Also if you want to actually compile your App for ARM or ARM64 you need to do it on a x86 or x64 PC then use remote debugging to actually transfer the App to the ARM64 PC to run and debug. You also can't compile your App for x64 because they don't have a x64 emulator yet (I hear that they are working on it). Hopefully Microsoft will compile both VS and VSC for ARM64 because I have found that ARM64 apps really run fast. I hope this helps

Answer 3

Who is it you ask for the VS build for SQL1?

Answer 4

Hi

It would probably be more accurate if they said that “Native Arm is not supported”. Windows on ARM comes with a 32bit (x86) emulator. This means that most x86 programs should work via the emulator. Visual Studio 2019 (and all older versions) are 32bit (x86) programs. Windows on ARM can tell if it is an ARM or x86 program so there isn’t any special instructions, just install it as you would do on any Intel or AMD based PC.

With the above said, I wrote my original answer while I was using Visual Studio 2019 Community version 16.4.3. Latter on I updated version 16.7.x and found a UWP deployment problem. I sent the information to Microsoft and they graciously agreed to fix the problem. The fix is not in the mainstream version yet, but it is in the preview version. If you decide to give it a try you can install the preview version, or you can install VS 2017 Community. You can also install the latest version of VS 2019 and then use remote debugging (you need to download the Microsoft remote debugger for ARM). In this case you are actually using the same PC (Surface Pro X) as both the local and remote computers. The nice thing about this is that you actually compile and run your program as a native ARM app.

I hope this helps you, just realize that the emulator does add some sluggishness in some cases.