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Windows on Arm runs native Arm64 apps and can emulate many x86 and x64 user-mode apps, but emulation does not make drivers compatible. Windows 11 on Arm supports x86 and x64 app emulation; Windows 10 on Arm supports x86 emulation. Hardware features such as printing, scanning, VPN connections, and device utilities may still depend on a native Arm64 driver.
What Windows on Arm emulation does
Emulation is built into Windows; there is no separate emulator to install. Windows translates blocks of x86 instructions into Arm64 instructions and caches translated blocks to reduce repeat work. For x86 apps, WOW64 provides filesystem and registry redirection. For x64 apps, Arm64X system binaries can serve both x64 and Arm64 processes. These mechanisms let many ordinary user-mode apps run without a native Arm64 rebuild, but they do not make kernel components portable. Microsoft’s Windows on Arm emulation overview describes these implementation details.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 differ
Windows 10 on Arm supports emulation for x86 apps. Windows 11 on Arm supports emulation for both x86 and x64 apps. Check the Windows release on the specific PC rather than assuming that all Windows-on-Arm installations support the same app architectures. Microsoft’s Windows on Arm FAQ and Windows on Arm overview describe the platform and its version-specific capabilities.
What Prism changes in Windows 11 24H2
Windows 11 version 24H2 introduced Prism, Microsoft’s updated x86 and x64 emulation technology. Microsoft says Prism improves performance and reduces CPU use compared with earlier emulation. It is included on supported Windows 11 on Arm devices running 24H2, while some performance features require hardware found only in Snapdragon X series processors. Prism does not guarantee native-level performance: results depend on the app, workload, processor, and Windows release. For demanding or frequently used apps, Microsoft recommends native Arm builds for better performance, responsiveness, and battery life. Microsoft’s emulation overview explains Prism and its hardware qualifications.
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Why an emulated app can work while a device feature fails
App emulation applies to user-mode software; it does not emulate drivers. Microsoft states that kernel-mode drivers and user-mode print drivers must be built as native Arm64 binaries to work on Arm64 devices. An x86 or x64 installer cannot be run to install an Arm64 driver on an Arm64 PC. Microsoft’s Windows on Arm FAQ sets out this driver requirement.
This is why a program may open and its basic functions may work while a feature that talks directly to hardware does not. Check for architecture-specific dependencies such as a kernel driver, printer driver, VPN component, shell extension, or plug-in. A successful launch establishes app compatibility only for the functions you have actually tested.
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How to check a printer, scanner, or other peripheral
Peripheral support depends on a driver included with Windows or supplied by the device maker. Microsoft advises checking the manufacturer’s support for Arm64 drivers; older and specialized peripherals may need extra verification. For printers, Microsoft suggests trying installation through Windows settings if the manufacturer does not provide an Arm64 driver, but available functions may be limited. General platform guidance is not certification of any particular model. Microsoft’s Surface FAQ discusses printer and peripheral support.
- Identify the exact setup. Note the Windows release and the peripheral’s complete model and hardware revision. Driver availability can differ across product revisions and Windows releases.
- Check the app itself. Find out whether the app has a native Arm64 version or runs as x86/x64 under emulation, and read the publisher’s current compatibility notes.
- Look for driver-dependent features. Determine whether the app relies on a kernel driver, print driver, VPN component, shell extension, plug-in, or another architecture-specific component.
- Check the manufacturer’s support page. Look for a native Arm64 driver for the exact model and Windows release, or confirm whether Windows includes one. For a printer, also try adding it through Windows settings if no manufacturer Arm64 driver is available.
- Test the functions you need. For a printer or multifunction device, verify more than basic printing if you rely on scanning, duplexing, status reporting, or vendor utilities. Basic printing alone does not demonstrate that those features work.
- Confirm essential equipment before relying on it. Ask the vendor or test the peripheral on the intended PC and Windows build before deployment. Microsoft’s documentation describes platform rules, not a guarantee for every device.
Native Arm apps and app-porting options
Native Arm64 apps avoid emulation and are Microsoft’s preferred option for performance, responsiveness, and battery life. Microsoft points to Windows on Arm Ready Software as a maintained resource for checking many apps and games. The catalog and vendor support can change, so confirm an app’s current status with its publisher before depending on it. Microsoft’s Windows on Arm overview links to the Ready Software resource.
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Microsoft’s Surface FAQ lists examples of apps with native Arm64 versions, including Microsoft 365 apps, Chrome, Spotify, Zoom, WhatsApp, Blender, Affinity Suite, and DaVinci Resolve. This is an example list, not a promise that every edition, feature, or current release is available for every device; check the publisher’s latest support information. Microsoft’s Surface FAQ provides the examples.
For developers, Arm64EC can support an incremental port: Arm64EC code can interoperate with x64 code in the same process. That can help move parts of an app to Arm64 over time, but it does not certify every app dependency or peripheral driver. Microsoft’s Windows on Arm overview describes Arm64EC.
Quick Recap
What to conclude from a compatibility check
- Windows 11 on Arm emulates x86 and x64 user-mode apps; Windows 10 on Arm emulates x86 apps.
- Prism is part of Windows 11 24H2 on supported Arm devices, with some optimizations dependent on processor hardware.
- Drivers are outside the emulation boundary: kernel-mode and user-mode print drivers need native Arm64 builds.
- Compatibility is specific to the app, device model and revision, driver, required functions, and Windows release.
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