Laptops with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chips will soon be able to emulate more x86 extensions used by games and other apps.
Microsoft is making a significant leap forward with its latest Windows on Arm update, designed to expand support for 64-bit x86 software and games on devices powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors. The new emulator, called “Prism,” comes packed with powerful enhancements that could redefine the Windows on Arm experience for both work and play. This update is currently available to testers via the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 in the Canary Channel, signaling Microsoft’s push to improve the ARM platform’s compatibility with popular apps and high-demand games that previously struggled to run smoothly.
Emulation Boost: What’s Changing for Windows on Arm
With the new Prism emulator, Microsoft aims to bridge the gap for ARM-based PCs, which until now have been limited when it comes to running certain x64 software. While many leading applications, including Adobe Photoshop, Google Chrome, and streaming apps like Hulu, have native ARM64 versions, countless others still require emulation to function. This limitation often frustrates users, especially those who rely on software optimized for traditional x86 Windows PCs.
The key feature in this update is the emulator’s expanded support for critical processor extensions, including AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C. This support significantly widens the range of compatible applications, enabling smoother performance and even opening up the possibility for complex, graphics-intensive software to run efficiently on ARM devices. Notably, this development could allow AAA gaming titles, such as Starfield and Helldivers 2 — which rely heavily on AVX2 — to run on Windows on Arm, an exciting prospect for gamers eager for high-performance experiences on ARM-powered PCs.
What Does Prism Mean for Snapdragon-Powered PCs?
With Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors at the core, Prism’s expanded emulation capabilities could reshape the ecosystem of Windows on Arm devices. ARM architecture has long been championed for its energy efficiency and enhanced performance in mobile environments, yet the platform has encountered limitations when it comes to supporting a wide range of x64 applications. Thanks to this update, Qualcomm’s advanced processors can now handle a larger variety of applications, from productivity tools to entertainment apps and games, without needing a native ARM version.
Beyond gaming, this update has implications for professionals as well. For example, Premiere Pro 25 — initially unable to run on Windows on ARM without a native build — is now supported via emulation, allowing video creators to work on ARM-powered devices without sacrificing their preferred editing tools. Although Adobe is actively developing a native version of Premiere Pro for ARM, this emulation capability opens the door to many other professional-grade applications that previously struggled with compatibility.
A Few Caveats: What Still Doesn’t Work
Despite the big strides this update represents, some limitations persist. Although Microsoft’s emulator now supports a wide array of 64-bit x86 software extensions, 32-bit applications remain unable to detect this new emulation support. This means certain programs may continue to encounter issues, especially those that rely on older 32-bit architecture. As such, users dependent on legacy 32-bit software might still find Windows on ARM devices limited in scope.
Why This Matters: Expanding the Windows on ARM Ecosystem
The Prism emulator isn’t just about technical capability — it reflects Microsoft’s ambition to push ARM-based Windows devices further into the mainstream, expanding the ecosystem by making ARM a more viable option for a broad audience. As Microsoft and Qualcomm continue their partnership, this update shows their commitment to removing barriers between ARM and x86 compatibility. Ultimately, broader compatibility benefits the entire Windows community, offering users more choices without sacrificing performance or application availability.
The expanded support also provides developers with added motivation to optimize their software for Windows on ARM, knowing that Microsoft’s emulation advancements can help smooth the transition. This emulation leap could potentially speed up the shift toward more ARM-native applications in the future, enriching the Windows on ARM platform and making it increasingly attractive for both consumers and professionals.
What’s Next for Windows on ARM?
This update is only a step in Microsoft’s long-term vision for Windows on ARM, with more innovations likely to come as ARM devices become increasingly popular in both consumer and enterprise markets. As developers explore the full potential of ARM compatibility, we may see additional native apps, better emulation technology, and greater performance efficiency across the board.
For now, Windows Insider testers get an early look at what Prism and Snapdragon processors can bring to the table. And as these advancements roll out to retail PCs, the expanded app and game compatibility offered by Prism will shape the ARM landscape, offering users a compelling reason to consider ARM-based devices for their next upgrade.
