Windows on Arm PCs, particularly those equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite processor, are poised for a significant enhancement as Microsoft rolls out a preview build of Windows 11 that focuses on improving Prism emulation. This update, currently being tested among Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel, introduces expanded support for various CPU features, allowing non-native Arm applications to perform more efficiently on these advanced devices.
New Processor Feature Support in Prism
The latest Canary Channel Insider Preview build, designated Build 27744, marks a pivotal moment for Prism, Microsoft’s emulator for Windows on Arm. This major feature update broadens the scope of 64-bit x86 (x64) applications that can operate under emulation by integrating support for additional CPU features. Notably, Adobe Premiere Pro 25 has already leveraged some of these enhancements, demonstrating the practical benefits of this update.
With the introduction of Build 27744, any x64 application running under emulation will gain access to a more comprehensive array of CPU extensions. This means that applications and games previously hindered by CPU requirements may now find a pathway to functionality through Prism, enhancing the overall user experience on Windows on Arm.
From a technical perspective, the virtual CPU utilized by x64 emulated applications will now support a variety of extensions within the x86 instruction set architecture. These include AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, among others—extensions that, while not essential for running Windows, have become increasingly standard in many applications. Users can verify these new features using tools like Coreinfo64.exe.
It’s important to note that this preview currently supports only x64 applications. Therefore, 32-bit applications or 64-bit applications relying on 32-bit helpers to check for CPU feature support will not recognize the new capabilities within Prism.
Microsoft encourages feedback from Insiders who wish to explore apps and games using this early version of Prism. Users can report any compatibility issues or performance regressions through the Feedback Hub, specifically under the Apps section, to assist in refining the emulation experience.
Changes and Improvements
- The Start menu has been simplified; “All apps” is now simply labeled “All.”
Input
- A new Gamepad keyboard layout is being rolled out for the on-screen keyboard in Windows 11, enabling users to navigate and type using their Xbox controller. This update includes button accelerators, such as the X button for backspace and the Y button for the spacebar, with vertically aligned keyboard keys for improved navigation.
Task Manager
- The design of the Disconnect and Logoff dialogs in Task Manager has been updated to support dark mode and text scaling.
- In the Performance section, disks are now labeled according to their type for better clarity.
Settings
- The detach virtual hard disk (VHD/VHDx) button, previously introduced under Settings > System > Storage > Disks & Volumes, has returned in this build after a brief hiatus.
