Can ARM desktop programs be built using visual studio 2012?

You can edit the file:

C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\V110\Platforms\ARM\Microsoft.Cpp.ARM.Common.props

In the <PropertyGroup> section add the line:

<WindowsSDKDesktopARMSupport>true</WindowsSDKDesktopARMSupport>

before </PropertyGroup>

And that’s all, you can build ARM desktop apps with VS2012.