Windows 11 on ARM Launches Gaming Support with AVX and AVX2 Features Now Available

Windows 11 Update: Enabling AVX/AVX 2 for ARM PCs

With the release of the October 2025 update (KB5066835) for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, Microsoft has introduced significant enhancements to the Prism emulation for Windows on ARM devices. Notable among these improvements are the inclusion of Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) and AVX 2, which have traditionally been exclusive to x86 architecture.

This development is particularly crucial for users of ARM-based PCs. To understand its significance, it’s essential to grasp what AVX entails.

Understanding AVX: A Game Changer for Performance

AVX, or Advanced Vector Extensions, is a type of SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) instruction set. This technology allows processors to handle multiple data points simultaneously, enhancing processing speed significantly. Introduced by Intel in 2008, AVX has been integrated into numerous applications, streamlining tasks such as video encoding and real-time effects in gaming.

The Importance of AVX in Emulation

The integration of AVX into Prism emulation is pivotal because many modern game engines and applications depend on these extensions to operate correctly. Since ARM architecture is comparatively new in the realm of personal computing and does not natively support AVX, this has posed a challenge for developers and users alike.

Windows 11’s October Update: What It Means for ARM Users

Fortunately, the latest improvements in Prism mean that most games and applications should function smoothly on ARM devices, though users may still experience some performance overhead due to emulation. During my testing, I found that the addition of AVX emulation allowed the majority of my Steam library to launch successfully, albeit with varying performance levels based on the title in question.

Moreover, some productivity applications, including components of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite that rely on AVX instructions, can now run with straightforward adjustments, paving the way for broader software compatibility and performance enhancements.

How to Activate AVX/AVX 2 on Your ARM Device

If the new features are not visible on your device, you might need to manually enable them for specific applications. To do so, locate the executable file for the application you wish to modify, right-click on it, and select Properties.

In the Properties window, navigate to the Compatibility tab. Here, you will find the option for Windows ARM compatibility. Look for “Show newer emulated CPU features, ” check this box, and click OK to enable AVX.

If you notice the option “Hide newer emulated CPU features (x64 apps only), ” this indicates that Prism enhancements are already activated by default on your system.

For troubleshooting any application compatibility issues, you can utilize this menu to toggle settings on and off as needed. Note that this functionality requires Windows 11 Build 26100.6725 (24H2) or 26200.6725 (25H2).

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