autoruns64.exe is compiled for the instruction set (standard Intel/AMD 64-bit CPUs). Run this on an ARM64 Windows device, and it will work—albeit under emulation (which can be slow, memory-intensive, and potentially miss some low-level ARM-specific startup artifacts).
| File | Architecture | Target Platform | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | autoruns.exe | x86 (32-bit) | Any Windows (via WoW64 on 64-bit) | | autoruns64.exe | x64 (AMD64 / Intel 64) | Traditional 64-bit desktops/servers (Intel/AMD) | | autoruns64a.exe | ARM64 | Windows on ARM (Snapdragon, Apple M1/M2/M3 via Parallels/VM, Surface Pro X/9/11) | Microsoft has aggressively pushed Windows on ARM. Devices like the Surface Pro X, Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, and the new Surface Laptop Studio 2 (ARM variant) run Windows 11 ARM64. These devices can run x86 and x64 applications through emulation (Prism), but native ARM64 applications run faster, use less battery, and have full access to the underlying hardware without emulation overhead. autoruns 64 vs autoruns 64a
At first glance, they appear redundant. Both are 64-bit executables. Both bear the same icon. Both perform the same core function. But beneath the surface lies a critical distinction related to Windows on Windows (WoW64), file system redirection, and processor architectures. autoruns64
Now, go forth and autorun—with confidence and clarity. This article is current as of Autoruns version 14.11. Always consult the official Sysinternals documentation for updates as ARM64 Windows continues to evolve. Devices like the Surface Pro X, Lenovo ThinkPad
| System | Architecture | Test | Result | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Dell XPS 13 (Intel i7) | x64 | autoruns64a.exe | Fails to launch (invalid architecture) | | Dell XPS 13 (Intel i7) | x64 | autoruns64.exe | Works perfectly. Detected 342 startup entries in 8 seconds. | | Surface Pro X (SQ2) | ARM64 | autoruns64.exe | Works via emulation. 323 entries in 22 seconds. (High CPU usage) | | Surface Pro X (SQ2) | ARM64 | autoruns64a.exe | Works natively. 323 entries in 4 seconds. (Low CPU usage) | | MacBook Pro M3 (Parallels Win11) | ARM64 VM | autoruns64a.exe | Works natively. Detected ARM64 hypervisor drivers correctly. |
However, a quiet confusion has persisted for years within download folders and toolkits: