Microsoft is making Windows gaming even better on Arm devices. For years, Windows has been the go-to platform for PC gaming, giving players freedom and powerful tools. From classic games like Diablo to modern experiences with DirectX and AI graphics, Windows has always worked with developers and hardware makers to improve gaming. This year, Microsoft introduced many updates to make gaming smoother, faster, and more fun whether on desktops, laptops, or handhelds.
One big focus in 2025 has been Windows on Arm. Players can now install games locally using the Xbox PC app, which lets them play without depending on cloud streaming. Microsoft also improved the Prism emulator, which lets Arm devices run x86 games, by adding support for modern game instructions like AVX and AVX2. This means more windows gaming on Arm than ever before.
Handheld gaming also got a big boost. Microsoft teamed up with ASUS and AMD to launch the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, powered by AMD Ryzen Z2 processors. These handhelds offer great performance, low input delay, and access to your full game library. The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was added to these devices, giving players a console-like home for games while keeping background tasks low. This means smoother gameplay and more stable performance.
Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) is another exciting feature for handhelds. It delivers precompiled game shaders at install time, cutting wait times and reducing stuttering. For example, Avowed now loads 80% faster on the first run, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches over 95% quicker. ASD is also available for developers through the Agility SDK, so more games can use this feature soon.
System-level improvements also make Windows gaming feel more like a console. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X benefit from tuned power management, better memory handling, and lower CPU overhead. AMD and ASUS helped with driver updates and optimizations, which now improve performance across many Windows devices, not just handhelds.
Anti-cheat on Windows gaming
Anti-cheat is now better on Windows gaming on Arm too. Easy Anti-Cheat, BattlEye, Denuvo, and XIGNCODE3 all support Arm devices, including popular games like Fortnite. Windows security features like TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and Virtualization-Based Security make it harder for cheats to work, ensuring fair matches for all players.
DirectX also received updates this year. DXR 1.2 improves ray tracing with faster rendering of foliage and fences, while Shader Execution Reordering lets GPUs work more efficiently. Some games now see up to 2.3× better performance on supported hardware. Microsoft is also previewing neural rendering, using AI to improve visuals and performance in the future.
Audio in Windows 11 got a boost as well. Bluetooth LE Audio offers better sound quality, lower latency, and support for hearing devices. Super wideband stereo ensures players hear full game sounds while chatting, giving a more immersive experience.
Looking ahead Windows gaming, Microsoft plans to expand Xbox Full Screen Experience beyond handhelds to laptops, desktops, and 2-in-1 devices. Advanced Shader Delivery will support more games and hardware, and Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) will provide sharper visuals and smoother framerates with AI upscaling on compatible devices.
With these updates, Windows gaming on Arm is faster, smoother, and more enjoyable than ever. Whether you play on a handheld, laptop, or desktop, Microsoft is shaping a future where gaming is seamless and fun for everyone.
