ReleaseBytes
github GitHub Changelog ·

Windows 11 ARM64 VS2026 image generally available for GitHub Actions

infragaengineer
feature breaking

GitHub has made the Windows 11 ARM64 image with Visual Studio 2026 generally available on standard and larger GitHub-hosted runners, enhancing the build environment for ARM-based applications. Developers can opt-in now by updating their workflows to `runs-on: windows-11-vs2026-arm`. This release precedes a planned migration starting September 21, 2026, where the `windows-11-arm` image will automatically update to VS2026. The migration may introduce breaking changes for workflows dependent on Visual Studio 2022.

  • →Windows 11 ARM64 VS2026 image generally available
  • →Upcoming migration to Visual Studio 2026 and potential breaking changes
Breaking changes (1) ›
  • Upcoming migration to Visual Studio 2026 and potential breaking changes

    GitHub will gradually update the `windows-11-arm` image to default to Visual Studio 2026 between September 21 and September 30, 2026, which may break workflows dependent on Visual Studio 2022. Users can test the new image proactively or opt out of the Windows 11 ARM64 image if it no longer meets their needs.

Features (1) ›
  • Windows 11 ARM64 VS2026 image generally available

    The Windows 11 ARM64 image with Visual Studio 2026 is now generally available on GitHub's standard and larger hosted runners. Workflows can use this image by specifying `runs-on: windows-11-vs2026-arm` in their GitHub Actions workflow files to leverage the updated environment.

Read the original announcement →

https://github.blog/changelog/2026-08-20-windows-11-arm64-vs2026-image-generally-available

Related releases