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Forum Discussion
Re: NetGear Armor for Windows 11
For me I am using Windows 11 with an ARM processor. When I had an Intel based computer I could install Armor, which would install and register Bitdefender.
Armor Bitdefender downloaded from my Orbi's link does nothing (no error, does not pop up or install Bitdefender). I can see it in the Add/Remove windows app, but it doesn't do anything at all.
I can download Bitdefender from their site. Their site says it supports Windows 11 and ARM processors. Their installer and runs fine, and installs Bitdefender, but there is no way to link it to my Armor subscription. I am not going to pay for Bitdefender a second time just because Armor Bitdefender does not work with an ARM processor.
I called Netgear Tech support and got to play phone tag. When I finally convinced the Netgear support person I was "doing it right" I was told to talk to Bitdefender about their software. Bitdefender pointed out that Bitdefender downloaded from their site works, and to talk to Netgear (who are still using a 2+ year Bitdefender installer).
So it's Windows Defender for me at present.
18 Replies
I'm having the exact same problem with my new Microsoft Surface laptop with the Snapdragon processor which is an ARM64 CPU. The installer seems like it will start but then nothing happens. I can install Bitdefender directly from their website, but there's no link to the Netgear Armor subscription.
Netgear please fix this install issue for ARM64 devices. They're only going to be more common. I may not renew my subscription otherwise.
My setup is MacBook Pro M3, which is ARM based. Windows 11 ARM runs fine, and Bitdefender (from their site) runs fine. Netgear Armor doesn't do anything at all when the installer is run. Pretty pathetic not to support ARM processors since they have been supported by Windows for over 3 years already!
Something to make contact with NG support about and ask:
I am experincing this same issue on the Surface Pro 11 with the Snapdragon CPU
It seems that Netgear has completely forgotten anyone using an ARM chip. What is funny is if you subscribe to Bitdefender instead of Armor (which is Netgear's Armor version of it) everything works. Bitdefender said Armor uses an obsolete 32 bit installer, and that Netgear had to update that before it would work properly.
- I'm having the same issue on my surface pro 11 with the arm processor. Any luck yet? I have a support ticket open too.
Nope. I just tried installing Netgear Armor/Bitdefender and it still does not work for me. It is frustrating that Bitdefender supports ARM based PC and has for a few years buy Netgear can't/won't update their custom installer so that it works. You would think that updating Bitdefender would be the harder part.
I imagine they could pay Bitdefender to help them with their installer if they can't do it in house.- Exactly well they have till April to fix it or they will be losing a paying customer but I guess they don't care. It installed just fine on one of my computers that does not have a arm processor but does have windows 11. It's only the surface pro 11 with arm that has the issue. Seems like a easy fix for them with it only being the installer but I'm sure it has something to do with money between bit defender and Netgear but who knows. I'll be gone in April if they can't figure it out. I won't be going to bit defender either. I'll leave them both. I continue to use my Norton 360. Everyone that is having this issue Norton 360 does work with Arm based computers so leave them both and go for Norton since they can't play nice with each other.
As of April 2025 Netgear's Armor (Bitdefender) installer works on Apple silicon based Windows 11 computers! Hopefully this means that it will also now work on Snapdragon and other ARM based versions of Windows.
