Microsoft’s latest Windows Insider build, 27744, is tackling a persistent challenge for Windows on Arm users — the compatibility gap when certain applications, especially games, simply don’t work. This update, available within the Windows 11 Canary Channel, introduces a new version of Microsoft’s Prism emulator that now supports legacy AVX and AVX2 instructions, adding much-needed versatility for x64 applications running on Arm-based systems. According to Microsoft, this means more applications, including some games and creative software that previously failed due to missing CPU instructions, should now work.
The significance of this update is substantial. Prism enables Windows to run x86 applications on Arm processors, filling a compatibility gap in the Arm ecosystem. With enhanced support for additional x86 instruction set extensions, such as AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, Prism can now address more application demands. While Microsoft didn’t specify which games or software will benefit, it highlighted Adobe Premiere Pro on Arm, indicating the emulator’s growing relevance for performance-intensive software. The new build targets 64-bit applications exclusively, as older 32-bit software and 32-bit helper apps won’t recognize these new Prism capabilities.
The move comes alongside Qualcomm’s ongoing work with developers to release Arm-native versions of apps, such as Google Drive and VPN services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, showcased at IFA. By improving Prism’s capabilities, Microsoft is signaling a commitment to enhancing the Windows on Arm experience, bridging the gap for users who rely on x64 applications and underscoring Prism’s potential for future evolution.
