Microsoft has announced that the Xbox app is now available on all Arm-based Windows 11 PCs, opening up a new world of gaming possibilities for users of these devices. This expansion follows an update to Microsoft’s Prism emulator in December 2025, which now supports AVX and AVX2 extensions—crucial components for efficiently running games on Windows.
Arm-Based PCs Get a Gaming Boost
The arrival of the Xbox app on Arm-based Windows 11 signifies a major step forward in PC gaming compatibility.
- Windows on Arm users can now purchase, download, and stream PC games through the Xbox app.
- Over 85 percent of the Game Pass catalog is now playable on Arm PCs.
- Windows on Arm supports anti-cheat software, offering access to a broader range of online multiplayer games.
- Microsoft’s commitment to Arm-based Windows is evident through hardware and software advancements.
For Windows on Arm users, this means seamless access to purchase, download, and stream PC games directly through the Xbox app. Microsoft states that “more than 85 percent of the Game Pass catalog” is now functional on Arm PCs, a significant leap in available titles. This is a notable advantage over Valve’s SteamOS, as Windows on Arm supports essential anti-cheat software like Epic’s Easy Anti Cheat, unlocking access to a wider selection of online multiplayer experiences.
What makes Windows on Arm gaming different? Unlike traditional PC gaming, Windows on Arm utilizes emulation to run games designed for different processor architectures, and the recent Prism emulator update is key to improving performance.
The Prism emulator translates x86 and x64 applications to run on Arm processors, and the addition of AVX and AVX2 support is critical for optimizing game performance.
Microsoft has invested heavily in Windows on Arm for years, making a substantial push with its own Arm-based hardware and the launch of the Copilot+ PC program in 2024. Many Copilot+ PCs leverage Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, with the latest iterations announced in September 2025. Previously, Microsoft’s handheld gaming efforts centered around PCs running AMD chips, but the expanded support for Arm and hints from Qualcomm suggest an Arm-based Windows 11 handheld could be on the horizon.
