Prism emulator Archives

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

Arm-Based Windows 11 PCs Can Now Download and Play Games from the Xbox App

Microsoft's Xbox app on Windows 11 now supports game downloads on all ARM-based PCs, expanding functionality beyond cloud gaming for Qualcomm-powered devices. This update follows an initial rollout for Xbox Insiders in August, coinciding with Epic Games' compatibility of its Easy Anti-Cheat system with Windows on ARM. The Prism emulator was updated in December to support more x86 games on ARM devices, and the Xbox app now includes a Windows Performance Fit feature to assess game performance based on hardware. Over 85% of the Game Pass catalog is compatible with ARM PCs, with ongoing efforts to increase support. Emulation performance has improved on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series chips, with further enhancements expected from upcoming X2 series chips, although native ARM64 game versions are still anticipated.

Winsage

December 11, 2025

Your Windows 11 on Arm PC can now run even more x86 apps and games thanks to Microsoft’s latest Prism emulation update

Microsoft has updated its Prism emulator, allowing x86 applications to run on Windows 11 devices with Arm chips. This update improves performance, especially for applications using AVX or AVX2 extensions, and increases the number of compatible apps and games. The Prism emulator is a significant enhancement over the previous x86 app emulation layer from Windows 10, enabling most x86 applications to run smoothly on Snapdragon devices, comparable to traditional Intel PCs.

Winsage

December 9, 2025

Windows PC gaming in 2025: Handheld innovation, Arm progress and DirectX advances

Windows has been a key platform for PC gaming, evolving significantly by 2025 with advancements in handheld gaming and performance. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, powered by AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors, were introduced, enhancing handheld gaming experiences. The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was launched for these devices, optimizing gaming interfaces. Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) was implemented, reducing load times by over 80% for some titles. System-level performance improvements included tuned power management and lower CPU overhead. Windows also focused on Arm devices, enabling local game installations through the Xbox PC app and expanding compatibility with the Prism emulator. Native anti-cheat support was introduced for Arm devices, enhancing competitive gaming. DirectX 12 advancements included features that improved ray tracing performance by up to 2.3×. Bluetooth LE Audio support was added to enhance audio quality for gamers. Upcoming innovations include expanding FSE to more Windows devices, further ASD support, and a preview of Auto Super Resolution for improved visuals in games.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

Qualcomm says 90% of top Windows games will run on Snapdragon X2 laptops — is Windows on Arm gaming finally here?

Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme, which are expected to significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of Windows laptops. Initial benchmarks show that the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme performs well in single-core, multi-core, and GPU metrics, making it suitable for both productivity and gaming. Over 90% of the most played Windows games will be compatible at launch on devices using these new processors, which offer up to 2.3 times higher efficiency than previous models. Qualcomm has also launched the Snapdragon Control Panel to optimize game performance and ensure up-to-date drivers. The Snapdragon X2 Elite supports AVX2 emulation for running certain games via Microsoft's Prism Emulator, and there is ongoing development of kernel-level anti-cheat support for Windows on Snapdragon. Microsoft reports that 90% of user activity on Windows 11 on ARM involves native applications, indicating improved compatibility. New laptops featuring these Snapdragon processors are expected to debut in the first half of 2026, with previews potentially at CES in January.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

Qualcomm promises better gaming performance with latest Windows on Snapdragon update

Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon Control Panel and a suite of updates for Snapdragon X Elite laptops, enhancing software and performance. Key features of the Control Panel include automatic game detection, per-game settings, and Adreno GPU driver updates. Qualcomm has resolved bugs and improved performance for over 100 games since last year. The x86 emulation layer has been upgraded, with Microsoft's Prism Emulator now supporting AVX x86 emulation, and AVX2 support expected on upcoming Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops. Additionally, Fortnite is now available on Qualcomm devices due to Epic Online Services Anti-Cheat support, and the company is working with anti-cheat providers like Tencent and Roblox to improve multiplayer support.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

KB5067115 Enhances Windows on Arm with Improved 64-bit App Emulation via Prism

Microsoft has updated its Prism emulator in the Windows 11 25H2 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 (KB5067115), enhancing support for 64-bit x86 CPU features on Arm devices. This update improves app compatibility and performance for devices like the Surface Pro X and Lenovo ThinkPad X13s. It introduces Emulation Settings in Properties for developers to adjust emulation behavior for 32-bit applications. Additionally, the update includes the Ask Copilot feature in the taskbar and a Full Screen Experience option for more handheld devices.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Google Drive for Windows on Arm PCs is now widely available

Google has launched its Google Drive app for Arm-compatible Windows PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors, now available as a general release after being in beta. The Arm64 version offers the same functionalities as the traditional app and is exclusively available for Windows 11, requiring Microsoft WebView 2. Beta testers will receive an upgrade prompt, while new users can download the app from Google’s website. This release aligns with the increasing support for Arm64 architecture in applications, including Google Chrome, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN. Microsoft is also working on updates to improve software and gaming experiences through its Prism emulator.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

I’ve been a Windows on Arm user for years — Snapdragon X Elite has changed everything

The author has been using Arm-based computers, specifically an M1 Mac Mini and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows two-in-one PC, and has found Apple's silicon consistently impressive while Microsoft's offerings have lagged. In April 2024, Microsoft introduced the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, enhancing the compatibility layer for applications on Windows on Arm through a new emulator called Prism, which matches the efficiency of Apple's Rosetta 2. Testing the Honor MagicBook 14 Art, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, revealed significant improvements, including native support for previously struggling applications like Google Drive and ExpressVPN. The MagicBook features a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, offering seamless application launch and multitasking without the random freezes seen in earlier models. Its thermal performance is commendable, achieving around ten hours of usage in "Balanced" mode. The device also includes a Neural Processing Unit for enhanced AI capabilities. Compatibility advancements allow mainstream applications to run natively, and upcoming Windows updates promise to expand this further. The MagicBook 14 Art is priced at approximately ,750, featuring 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a detachable webcam for privacy. Despite the progress, the market for Snapdragon X computers remains niche, and Qualcomm's disputes with Arm could impact future sales.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

Microsoft lists all Windows 11 gaming features you miss if you don’t update from Windows 10

Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, highlighting the gaming features they would miss by staying on Windows 10. Benefits of Windows 11 include DirectStorage for faster load times, Auto HDR for enhanced visuals, and improved gaming performance. Windows 10 is nearing its end of support next year, which will result in a lack of security and quality updates. Many older systems are incompatible with Windows 11 due to stringent eligibility requirements, and Microsoft recommends that users with ineligible PCs invest in new hardware. Despite the advantages, the rollout of the latest feature update, version 24H2, has been temporarily halted due to issues with Ubisoft titles and Auto HDR functionality. Microsoft has also produced advertisements and articles to encourage users to upgrade and address misconceptions about the process.

Winsage

November 11, 2024

Microsoft keeps betting on AI for Windows 11, and Arm PCs get even better

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 build for Windows Insiders in the Canary channel, enhancing the Prism emulator on Arm devices to support additional CPU extensions like AVX and AVX2, allowing x86 applications such as Adobe Premiere Pro to run seamlessly on Arm devices. Vegas Pro, ProtonVPN, and Telegram Desktop have also announced support for Arm. Notepad now features an AI-based Rewrite option that requires AI credits, and Paint has received AI enhancements, though generative fill is currently exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. Paint 3D has been officially delisted from the Microsoft Store due to lack of user interest and complexity.