- Windows 11 Auto Super Resolution improves graphics and FPS with AI and NPU.
- Requires Copilot+ PC with Snapdragon X, Windows 11 24H2+, and 1080p display or higher.
- It allows you to play demanding titles smoothly and with high quality without gaming hardware.
- It integrates into the system and can be activated automatically or manually in compatible games.
But what exactly is Auto Super Resolution in Windows 11, how does it work, what advantages does it have over other solutions, and how can you take advantage of it if you have a compatible computer? We explain it in detail in this article.
What is Windows 11 Auto Super Resolution?
Auto Super Resolution, also known as Auto SR, is Microsoft's bid to bring AI-assisted graphics enhancement directly to the Windows 11 operating system. This is an intelligent upscaling technology that allows you to enjoy games at low resolutions, but with a visual quality much closer to higher resolutions and with a considerable increase in fluidity (frames per second or FPS).
Inspired by solutions such as NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR and Intel XeSS, Auto SR uses artificial intelligence algorithms and a convolutional neural network (CNN) specifically trained to enhance video game-generated images. Unlike the classic sharpening or scaling filters found on drivers, this feature goes much further:
- Reduce the resolution at which the game runs (for example, from Full HD to 720p) to free up resources and raise FPS.
- AI reconstructs the image, adding detail and sharpness so that the final result visually approaches the native resolution and, in many cases, even surpasses it in perceived quality.
The highlight of Auto SR is that It works in an integrated way in the operating system itself, allowing its improvements to be applied both automatically in certain games and manually in others compatible with DirectX 11 and 12.
How does Auto Super Resolution work? The role of AI and the NPU
The heart of Auto Super Resolution lies in the use of a convolutional neural network (CNN) specially trained with real video game content. This allows the AI to "fill" or reconstruct the game image from a low resolution to a higher one by analyzing patterns, details, and textures typical of current titles.
To relieve the load on the main processor (CPU) and graphics card (GPU), Auto SR leverages a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) included in the new Snapdragon X Series processors. This specialized chip is responsible for executing AI algorithms in real time with minimal latency (on average, it only introduces one frame delay compared to traditional rendering, imperceptible to most players).
Coordination between the NPU, CPU and GPU is key: Auto SR works in parallel with graphics processing to optimize data flow and avoid problems such as stuttering, allowing the gaming experience be much more fluid without penalizing visual quality.
While technologies from NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel typically require developer intervention to be integrated directly into each game, Auto SR stands out for its ability to be automatically applied to existing titles without any changes from the studios, simply at the operating system level.
System requirements for using Auto Super Resolution
If you are wondering if your PC will be able to use this feature, you should know that Currently Auto SR is limited to a very specific new generation of hardware. The essential requirements you must meet to access Automatic Super Resolution in Windows 11 are:
- Copilot+ PC powered by Snapdragon X Series processor, equipped with Hexagon NPU and integrated ARM GPU. (Currently, it does not support Intel, AMD processors, or NVIDIA/AMD dedicated graphics cards.)
- Windows 11 version 24H2 or higher.
- Installed the latest version of graphics and neural processor drivers. Can be updated from Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- Screen with native resolution of 1080p or higher.
- Auto Super Resolution Package software updated on the system.
Important: Currently, Auto SR doesn't support HDR content (Auto HDR) or older games that use graphics APIs like Vulkan or OpenGL. Only DirectX 11 and 12-based titles (or those emulated on ARM64/x64) can benefit.
Real benefits: What is it for and what improvements does it offer?
One of the most surprising aspects of Auto Super Resolution is that, although it may sound paradoxical, the key to its success is allowing the game resolution to be lowered without sacrificing visual quality, achieving significantly greater fluidity in return.
This translates into:
- Higher FPS (frames per second) by reducing the graphics load.
- Much sharper and more detailed images thanks to AI upscaling.
- Much smoother gameplay experience even on devices that otherwise wouldn't run those titles smoothly.
- It requires no developer intervention or external software installations: it is integrated into Windows.
An important difference from DLSS or FSR is that Auto SR introduces a single extra frame of latency, but in tests conducted by different media and users, this is not perceived as negative, since the gain in sharpness and fluidity compensates for it.
Games that support Auto Super Resolution
For now, The catalog of games that automatically take advantage of Auto SR is small, but growing rapidly. Officially supported titles are reviewed and certified by Microsoft, although the community can manually enable the feature in many other DX11 or DX12 compatible games.
This is the list of games officially supported automatically at launch:
- BeamNG drive
- Borderlands 3
- Control (DX11)
- Dark Souls III
- God of War
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance
- Resident Evil 2
- Resident Evil 3
- Sekiro Shadows Die Twice
- Sniper ghost warrior contracts 2
- The Witcher 3
How to enable and configure Auto Super Resolution in Windows 11?
If you meet the above requirements, Enabling Automatic Super Resolution on your PC is very simple:
- Accede to Settings > System.
- Enter the section Screen and, within it, select Recorders.
- Look for the option Automatic Super Resolution and activate it.
For supported games, a notification will automatically appear informing you that Auto SR is active when you start the title.
If you would like to Apply Auto SR to a game not listed officially:
- go back to Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
- Accede to Custom settings for applications, find the game executable or add it manually.
- Select the game and in the options, check Enabled o Enabled (keep current desktop resolution) as you prefer.
- Set the game resolution in its own settings to a supported resolution (recommended: less than 900 lines, such as 1280×720 or 1280×800).
- If you're playing in borderless window mode, you may need to switch to fullscreen only or adjust your desktop resolution for Auto SR to work properly.
Current limitations and future of the function
Auto Super Resolution is a technology in full evolution, and although its potential is enormous, it still has some important limitations:
- Only available for devices with Snapdragon X Series processors and Windows 11 (24H2+). It is not currently compatible with Intel or AMD PCs or external NVIDIA/AMD graphics cards.
- Does not work with Vulkan or OpenGL based games or HDR content.
- For some non-certified titles, the improvement may not be as noticeable or scaling/resolution issues may arise.
- Screenshots or video capture from Xbox Game Bar may not show the actual resolution enhancement rendered.
Microsoft clearly plans to expand support to new games and platforms in the near future, especially as the Copilot+ ecosystem grows and also on ARM handheld devices.
Editor specialized in technology and internet issues with more than ten years of experience in different digital media. I have worked as an editor and content creator for e-commerce, communication, online marketing and advertising companies. I have also written on economics, finance and other sectors websites. My work is also my passion. Now, through my articles in Tecnobits, I try to explore all the news and new opportunities that the world of technology offers us every day to improve our lives.