**Fortnite Finally Runs on Windows on ARM Laptops as Easy Anti-Cheat Becomes Compatible**
It’s official—you can now play Fortnite on a Windows 11 laptop powered by an ARM processor. According to Windows Latest, Epic Games has delivered on its promise to make Fortnite’s anti-cheat system compatible with Windows on ARM devices, such as slim Copilot+ laptops featuring Snapdragon X chips.
**Why Was This a Problem?**
ARM architecture differs significantly from the traditional x86 processors from AMD and Intel. To run apps and games not natively coded for ARM, devices like Snapdragon X laptops rely on a translation layer called Prism. While this emulation enables compatibility, it introduces performance overhead. More critically, some technologies—especially anti-cheat tools central to online gaming—simply do not work on ARM systems.
Because of this, popular online games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, Valorant, and Apex Legends have not run on Snapdragon X laptops until now, as all utilize some form of anti-cheat software.
**What’s Changed With Fortnite?**
With the release of Fortnite version 38.00, the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system now provides native support for Windows on ARM. Interestingly, this change was not highlighted in the official release notes. However, testing by Windows Latest and various reports on Reddit confirm that Fortnite runs smoothly on Snapdragon X devices, even on lower-end chips.
**A Step Forward for ARM Gaming**
This development marks a significant milestone for gaming on ARM-powered Windows devices. The EAC compatibility was introduced earlier in August through the Epic Online Services SDK, but it took several months for Epic to integrate the necessary support into Fortnite itself.
Other popular games that use EAC—such as Apex Legends and Elden Ring—could soon follow suit, potentially expanding the library of playable titles on ARM laptops.
**Challenges Ahead for Other Anti-Cheat Systems**
While EAC compatibility is promising, other anti-cheat solutions like Riot Vanguard (used by Valorant) and BattlEye (used by PUBG, Rainbow Six Siege, and others) still lack native ARM support. These systems will require their own tailored solutions, which may take considerable time—if they arrive at all.
The ARM platform remains a niche focus for many developers, so enthusiasts might face a long wait for broader compatibility. Linux users and SteamOS handheld owners face similar challenges with anti-cheat software support.
**Additional Improvements Boost ARM Gaming**
Microsoft has also recently enhanced the Prism emulation layer to improve compatibility with more games on Snapdragon X hardware. These updates address issues related to AVX and AVX2 instruction sets, contributing to a smoother gaming experience on Windows on ARM devices.
**Why This Matters**
ARM laptops like the Copilot+ offer impressive portability and excellent battery life. Being able to play a popular game like Fortnite natively means users can enjoy gaming on the go without compromising performance or convenience.
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Stay tuned for more updates as developers continue working on bringing more games to Windows on ARM.
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