Analyze performance data with the Visual Studio extension for WindowsPerf
Introduction
Configure your development tools
Use the counting feature
Use the sampling feature
Next Steps

  Log an issue

  Fork and edit

  Discuss on Discord

Analyze performance data with the Visual Studio extension for WindowsPerf

About this Learning Path

Skill level:  Introductory
Reading time:  30 min
Last updated:  12 Aug 2026
Skill level:
  Introductory
Reading time:
  30 min
Last updated:
  12 Aug 2026
Author:Nader Zouaoui, Day Devs
Arm IP:Cortex-A
Tags: Performance and Architecture Windows WindowsPerf perf Visual Studio
Author:
  • Nader Zouaoui, Day Devs
Arm IP:
Cortex-A
Tags:
Performance and Architecture Windows WindowsPerf perf Visual Studio

Who is this for?

This is an introductory topic for software developers using Visual Studio on Windows on Arm who want to integrate WindowsPerf into their development flow.

What will you learn?

Upon completion of this Learning Path, you will be able to:

  • Install and use the WindowsPerf Visual Studio extension.
  • Generate a counting report and explore the data.
  • Review the report in Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA).
  • Generate a sample report and explore the data.

Prerequisites

Before starting, you will need the following:

  • A desktop or laptop running Windows on Arm.
  • Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition, WindowsPerf, WindowsPerf Visual Studio extension, and WPA installed.

Summary

AI-assisted

This summary was drafted with an approved AI-assisted workflow and reviewed by Arm contributors before publication. Human technical review remains part of the process so the final page reflects engineering rigor, accuracy, and Arm editorial standards.

Close
?
You’ll integrate WindowsPerf into Visual Studio 2022 on Windows on Arm to collect and review performance data. First, you’ll configure the required tools, run counting sessions from View > Counting Settings, and inspect the results. Then, you’ll use View > Sampling Explorer to analyze samples and use the Arm Statistical Profiling Extension (SPE) when supported.

Frequently asked questions

AI-assisted

These FAQs were drafted with an approved AI-assisted workflow and reviewed by Arm contributors before publication. Human technical review remains part of the process so the final page reflects engineering rigor, accuracy, and Arm editorial standards.

Close
?
How do I know the WindowsPerf Visual Studio extension is installed correctly?
In Visual Studio 2022, the View menu should include Counting Settings and Sampling Explorer. If these entries are missing, check that the extension is installed and that you’re running Visual Studio 2022 on Windows on Arm.
Where do I configure which events are counted before collecting data?
Open View > Counting Settings to display the Counting Settings dialog. Use this dialog to review and adjust the available parameters for your run.
What result should I expect after a counting run?
The extension produces a counting report you can explore in Visual Studio. You can then open the report in WPA using the WindowsPerf WPA plugin.
How do I start a sampling session and set its preferences?
Open View > Sampling Explorer, then select the Configure the sampling command icon to set preferences. Start the sampling run from Sampling Explorer and review the results when it completes.
What does it mean if I don't see any SPE options in the sampling workflow?
Your system doesn’t support SPE. The SPE feature is available only on hardware that supports it. If your system doesn’t support SPE, use the standard sampling feature instead.
Next