# WindowsPerf (wperf) ## About this Install Guide | | | |------------------|----------------------------------| | Reading time: | 15 min | | Last updated: | 14 Aug 2026 | | Author: | Jason Andrews, Arm [GitHub](https://github.com/jasonrandrews) [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/jason-andrews-7b05a8) | | Official docs: | [View](https://gitlab.com/Linaro/WindowsPerf/windowsperf/blob/main/INSTALL.md) | This guide shows you how to install and use the tool with the most common configuration. For advanced options and complete reference information, see the official documentation. Some install guides also include optional next steps to help you explore related workflows or integrations. WindowsPerf is a Linux Perf-inspired performance profiling tool for Windows on Arm. Profiling is based on the Arm AArch64 PMU and its hardware counters. WindowsPerf supports the counting model for obtaining aggregate counts of occurrences of PMU events, and the sampling model for determining the frequencies of event occurrences produced by program locations at the function, basic block, and instruction levels. WindowsPerf is an open-source project hosted on [GitLab](https://gitlab.com/Linaro/WindowsPerf/windowsperf/). WindowsPerf consists of a kernel-mode driver and a user-space command-line tool. You can seamlessly integrate the WindowsPerf command line tool with both the [WindowsPerf Visual Studio Extension](#vs2022) and the [WindowsPerf VS Code Extension](#vscode). These extensions, which you can download from the Visual Studio Marketplace, enhance the functionality of WindowsPerf by providing a user-friendly interface, and additional features for performance analysis and debugging. This integration allows developers to efficiently analyze and optimize their applications directly within their preferred development environment. ## Install WindowsPerf using winget You can now install WindowsPerf directly from [winget](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/). Open an `Administrator` terminal on PowerShell and run: ``` winget install WindowsPerf ``` The output is similar to: ``` __output__ Found WindowsPerf [Arm.WindowsPerf] Version 4.3.1.0 __output__ This application is licensed to you by its owner. __output__ Microsoft is not responsible for, nor does it grant any licenses to, third-party packages. __output__ Downloading https://developer.arm.com/-/cdn-downloads/permalink/WindowsPerf/Installer/windowsperf-4.3.1.msi __output__ 3.07 MB __output__ Successfully verified installer hash __output__ Starting package install... __output__ Successfully installed ``` ![Image Alt Text:Animated terminal output showing winget installing WindowsPerf, including package download, hash verification, and Successfully installed status to confirm installation completion.](https://developer.arm.com/-/cdn-downloads/permalink/WindowsPerf/Installer/windowsperf-4.3.1.msi) The command will install the latest available WindowsPerf along with the [WPA plugins](https://learn.arm.com/install-guides/wperf/#verify-install). To check that the installation was successful, open a new terminal tab or window and follow the instructions under the [verify installation section](#verify-install). ### Uninstall WindowsPerf using winget If you need to uninstall WindowsPerf, open an `Administrator` terminal on PowerShell and run: ``` winget uninstall WindowsPerf ``` The output from a successful uninstallation is similar to: ``` __output__ Found WindowsPerf [Arm.WindowsPerf] __output__ Starting package uninstall... __output__ Successfully uninstalled ``` > WinPerf is an open-source project. If you’d like to develop WindowsPerf yourself, you may also need to install the Windows Driver Kit (WDK). For more information, see [WDK release notes](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/wdk-release-notes). ## Verify that WindowsPerf is installed correctly You can check everything is working by running the `wperf` executable. > After you’ve installed the driver, you can use `wperf` without `Administrator` privileges. For example: ``` wperf --version ``` The output is similar to: ``` __output__ Component Version GitVer FeatureString __output__ ========= ======= ====== ============= __output__ wperf 4.0.0 b18197bd +etw-app __output__ wperf-driver 4.0.0 b18197bd +etw-drv ``` ## Install the WindowsPerf Visual Studio Extension? WindowsPerf GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a Visual Studio 2022 extension designed to bring a seamless UI experience to WindowsPerf, the command-line performance profiling tool for Windows on Arm. It is available on the [Visual Studio Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/). To install the extension: 1. Open the **Extensions** menu in Visual Studio. 2. Select **Manage Extensions**, then select **Browse**. 3. Search for `WindowsPerf`. 4. Select **Install** for the Arm WindowsPerf GUI extension. > To set the path to the `wperf.exe` executable, go to **Tools** -> **Options** -> **WindowsPerf** -> **WindowsPerf Path** and set the absolute path to the `wperf.exe` executable and then click on the **Validate** button. Also, for more details and latest updates, see the WindowsPerf GUI project website on [GitLab](https://gitlab.com/Linaro/WindowsPerf/vs-extension). ## Install the WindowsPerf VS Code Extension In addition to the command-line tools, `WindowsPerf` is available on the [VS Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Arm.windowsperf). To install and configure the extension: 1. Open the **Extensions** view in VS Code using **Ctrl+Shift+X**. 2. Search for `WindowsPerf`. 3. Select **Install**. 4. Open **Settings** using **Ctrl+,**. 5. Go to **Extensions** > **WindowsPerf**. 6. Set the path to the `wperf` executable. > You can generate reports only from a Windows on Arm device. If you’re using a non-Windows on Arm host, you can import and analyze `WindowsPerf` JSON reports from such devices. You don’t need to install `wperf` on non-Windows on Arm devices. ## Related resources You’re now ready to use WindowsPerf. For more information about WindowsPerf, see the following links: ### WindowsPerf - [WindowsPerf Release 3.7.2 blog post](https://www.linaro.org/blog/expanding-profiling-capabilities-with-windowsperf-372-release) - [WindowsPerf Release 3.3.0 blog post](https://www.linaro.org/blog/windowsperf-release-3-3-0/) - [WindowsPerf Release 3.0.0 blog post](https://www.linaro.org/blog/windowsperf-release-3-0-0/) - [WindowsPerf Release 2.5.1 blog post](https://www.linaro.org/blog/windowsperf-release-2-5-1/) - [WindowsPerf release 2.4.0 introduces the first stable version of sampling model support](https://www.linaro.org/blog/windowsperf-release-2-4-0-introduces-the-first-stable-version-of-sampling-model-support/) - [Announcing WindowsPerf: Open-source performance analysis tool for Windows on Arm](https://developer.arm.com/community/arm-community-blogs/b/servers-and-cloud-computing-blog/posts/announcing-windowsperf) ### WindowsPerf GUI - [Introducing the WindowsPerf GUI: the Visual Studio 2022 extension](https://www.linaro.org/blog/introducing-the-windowsperf-gui-the-visual-studio-2022-extension/) - [Introducing 1.0.0-beta release of WindowsPerf Visual Studio extension](https://www.linaro.org/blog/introducing-1-0-0-beta-release-of-windowsperf-visual-studio-extension/) - [New Release: WindowsPerf Visual Studio Extension v1.0.0](https://www.linaro.org/blog/new-release-windowsperf-visual-studio-extension-v1000/) - [Launching WindowsPerf Visual Studio Extension v2.1.0](https://www.linaro.org/blog/launching--windowsperf-visual-studio-extension-v210/)