The company has revealed that its Xbox application is now accessible on every Windows 11 system powered by Arm processors. This rollout comes after an enhancement to the Prism translation tool in late 2025, enabling the conversion of x86 and x64 software for Arm architecture while adding compatibility for the AVX and AVX2 instruction sets. These features contribute to smoother performance for gaming applications within the Windows environment.
Owners of Arm-enabled Windows devices can now leverage the Xbox app for buying, installing, and streaming titles on PC. According to Microsoft, over 85% of games in the Game Pass library are compatible with Arm hardware. In contrast to Valve's SteamOS, the Arm version of Windows accommodates security measures such as Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat, opening up a broader selection of multiplayer online titles than those available on the Steam Deck.
For several years, Microsoft has invested in adapting Windows for Arm processors, accelerating its efforts through proprietary Arm hardware and the introduction of the Copilot+ PC initiative in 2024. A significant number of these Copilot+ systems incorporate Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, with the most recent models unveiled in September 2025. Previously, the firm's portable device initiatives centered on AMD-powered PCs, yet the broadened Arm compatibility and hints from Qualcomm indicate that a Windows 11 handheld using Arm technology might emerge in the near future.