Microsoft launches Xbox App support for ARM-based Windows 11 devices

Xbox App officially launches on ARM-based Windows 11 PCs from Microsoft

HARDWARE NEWS manhkbrady - 26-Jan-2026, 9:00 am

Microsoft has officially launched an ARM-compatible version of its Xbox App, bringing the Xbox PC ecosystem to ARM-based Windows 11 devices. According to Microsoft, more than 85% of the current Game Pass library already works on ARM-powered Windows 11 PCs, which is a strong start for the platform.

Although full Game Pass compatibility remains exclusive to x86-based Windows 11 systems, games that aren’t natively supported on ARM can still be accessed through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft is also actively collaborating with partners to further expand game compatibility on ARM-based Windows devices.

Thanks to Microsoft’s Prism emulation layer, native x86 and x64 applications can run on ARM-based Windows PCs. Recent additions, including support for AVX and AVX2 instruction sets, have significantly improved Game Pass compatibility on ARM systems. Combined with Epic Anti-Cheat’s ARM support, this enables titles such as Gears of War: Reloaded, Fortnite, and others to run smoothly on ARM-powered PCs.

Latest version of the Xbox PC App on the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally.

By expanding ARM CPU support, Microsoft is paving the way for companies like Nvidia and Qualcomm to deliver more capable gaming experiences on Windows. While x86 architecture still leads in overall game compatibility, ARM is steadily narrowing the gap. In the near future, ARM-related compatibility issues could become largely irrelevant for gamers, opening the door to a wider range of gaming-capable devices. Increased competition in this space ultimately benefits gamers and the broader hardware market.

You can read more about the announcement in a post on the official Windows Experience Blog.

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