Why is Windows ARM gradually taking hold in businesses?

Long limited to a few specific devices, Windows ARM is now seeing strong momentum with the arrival of new PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors, as well as Copilot+ PCs.

These computers appeal to businesses for several reasons:

  • Much longer battery life than traditional PCs;
  • Performance optimized for office and collaborative work;
  • Better energy efficiency;
  • Artificial intelligence features built directly into the operating system.

Sales reps, consultants, executives and mobile employees are among the first to adopt these new computers. CIOs are also starting to gradually integrate Windows ARM into their IT fleets.

This shift raises a new question, however: how can you effectively protect the data stored on these workstations?

Why back up a Windows ARM PC?

Like any computer, a Windows ARM machine contains data that is critical to the company's business.

This may include:

  • Business documents;
  • Sales presentations;
  • Contracts;
  • Customer data;
  • Design files;
  • Financial data;
  • User profiles.

Losing this information can have serious consequences: business disruption, financial loss, reputational damage or regulatory non-compliance.

Backup is therefore the best way to limit these risks.

The risks Windows ARM data is exposed to

Switching to Windows ARM does not reduce the risk of data loss. On the contrary, the growing use of these computers on the move increases certain vulnerabilities.

Human error

Accidental file deletion remains one of the leading causes of data loss. A wrong move, an overwritten document or an incorrect sync can make some information unrecoverable.

Cyberattacks

Windows ARM PCs are not immune to cyberthreats. In particular, businesses must protect themselves against:

Attackers target company data, regardless of the hardware architecture in use.

Computer theft or loss

Windows ARM PC users often work on the go. A lost or stolen computer can mean months of work disappearing if no backup has been made.

Hardware failures

Even though modern SSDs are very reliable, no storage medium is infallible. A failure can make a computer completely inaccessible in a matter of seconds.

What features should a Windows ARM backup solution have?

Not all solutions are compatible with Windows ARM yet. Before making your choice, several criteria should be checked.

Native compatibility with Windows ARM

The first requirement is, of course, compatibility with this architecture. Installation should be simple and performance identical to that of a standard Windows PC.

Automatic backup

Manual backups are rarely kept up over the long term. Automation ensures continuous protection without any user intervention.

Fast restore

The value of a backup is measured above all at restore time. The solution must make it possible to quickly recover a file, a folder or the entire workstation.

Protection against ransomware

Backups must be isolated and protected so that they cannot themselves be compromised. Encryption, rights management and immutability are now essential mechanisms.

Centralized monitoring

For CIOs, MSPs and IT resellers, visibility over all backups remains essential. Dashboards, automatic alerts and reports make day-to-day monitoring easier.

Best practices for protecting a Windows ARM fleet

Backup should not be seen as a stand-alone action. It is part of an overall data protection strategy.

Businesses should:

  • Set up automatic backups;
  • Test restores regularly;
  • Encrypt backups;
  • Apply the 3-2-1 rule;
  • Secure user accounts with multi-factor authentication;
  • Adopt a Zero Trust approach to limit access to data.

This combination considerably reduces the consequences of an IT incident.

Why is Windows ARM compatibility becoming a selection criterion?

New Windows ARM PCs are expected to account for a growing share of workstations in the coming years. Choosing a compatible backup solution today lets you anticipate this shift and avoid having to change tools when renewing your IT fleet. This compatibility is also becoming a differentiating factor for MSPs and IT resellers looking to support their customers in their modernization projects.

KiwiBackup: a Windows ARM-compatible solution

Not all backup solutions support Windows ARM yet.

KiwiBackup is one of the solutions compatible with this architecture and protects data on Windows ARM PCs in the same way as traditional Windows workstations. Businesses can thus automatically back up their workstations while benefiting from the features of the KiwiBackup platform.

For more than twenty years, KiwiBackup has been supporting professionals with secure cloud backup solutions hosted in France and suited to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, server, workstation and NAS environments. These solutions are intended for IT resellers, who can offer them to their customers as white-label products or under the KiwiBackup brand.

  • KiwiCloud, ISO 27001 certified, helps organizations strengthen their data protection strategy for the long term;

  • KiwiSanté, HDS certified, meets the requirements of healthcare facilities and organizations handling sensitive health data;

  • KiwiPlatform on-premises is a suitable option for companies that want to keep their backups on their own infrastructure.

Key takeaways

The adoption of Windows ARM marks a new stage in the evolution of business workstations. With longer battery life, better performance and a design built for new artificial intelligence uses, these computers also carry increasingly strategic data. Backup must therefore not be forgotten when deploying this new equipment. Choosing a Windows ARM-compatible solution protects company data, limits the consequences of an IT incident and lets you plan the evolution of your IT fleet with confidence.

KiwiBackup is compatible with Windows ARM

Good news: KiwiBackup is compatible with Windows ARM and automatically protects data on new business PCs built on this architecture.

Businesses can thus integrate their Windows ARM computers into their existing backup strategy, without changing their data protection processes. Backups are centralized, automated and monitored just as for traditional Windows workstations, ensuring service continuity when IT fleets are renewed.

This compatibility supports the adoption of Windows ARM PCs while guaranteeing a level of security and resilience suited to the challenges businesses face today.

To learn more about KiwiBackup's compatibility with Windows ARM, read our press release.

FAQ

No. Not all solutions support this architecture yet. It is therefore important to check compatibility before choosing a backup solution. KiwiBackup is compatible with Windows ARM.

Like any business computer, a Windows ARM PC can fall victim to human error, a cyberattack, a failure or theft. A backup makes it possible to restore data quickly.

No. OneDrive is a synchronization solution. An independent backup is still necessary to restore data after an incident.

Yes. KiwiBackup is compatible with Windows ARM and automatically backs up data on workstations built on this architecture.

The best approach is to automate backups, apply the 3-2-1 rule, test restores regularly and use a Windows ARM-compatible solution that offers protection against cyberthreats.