Microsoft previews rebuilt Xbox PC app with faster performance
An early build of the new Xbox PC interface shows significant speed improvements and a unified store design for Windows 11 users.
Key points
- The new interface is codenamed Garrison and targets improved loading speeds for large game libraries.
- Users can set the app as the default home screen for Windows 11 Game Mode.
- Microsoft aims to release the update to Xbox Insiders before the end of the year.
Microsoft is preparing to ship a rebuilt interface for its Xbox PC application, aiming to improve the gaming experience on Windows. The company provided an early glimpse of the interface, codenamed Garrison, to reviewers this week. This release follows the summer testing of a cloud gaming interface codenamed Bastion.
The new app focuses on boosting performance and usability rather than introducing extensive new features. Reviewers noted that the interface loads significantly faster than the previous version. This improvement is particularly evident when accessing large libraries of Xbox titles. The navigation between game listings is now streamlined into a single interface.
Interface and Performance Improvements
The updated design supports both mouse and keyboard inputs as well as controller usage. Users can set the application as their default home screen when activating Windows 11 Game Mode. The app defaults to controller scaling, which is ideal for handheld devices like the Xbox Ally.
Performance gains are the primary focus of this rebuild. The previous application faced performance concerns when loading large libraries or the general store. The new version addresses these issues by making it easier to distinguish between installable titles and stream-capable cloud games. The separation between store listings and game libraries has been removed.
Who Is Affected
The changes primarily impact PC gamers using the Xbox ecosystem on Windows. The interface is designed to bring the user experience closer to the Xbox Series X |S console. Microsoft plans to make the new app available to Xbox Insiders before the end of the year.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently stated her intention to elevate Microsoft's gaming offerings on PC. This new interface represents a step toward that goal. The app currently lacks some community tooling and developer dialogue systems found in competitors like Steam.
What should you do?
Users interested in the new interface should wait for the official release to Xbox Insiders. Until then, the current Xbox PC app remains the stable version for most users. Gamers can monitor official Xbox channels for announcements regarding the Insider program enrollment.
What to do and how to stay safe: Microsoft
- Check the Xbox Insider program website for enrollment details regarding the new PC app.
- Ensure your Windows 11 system is updated to the latest version to support Game Mode features.
- Verify that your game library is correctly synced with your Microsoft account before testing the new interface.
- Monitor official Xbox communications for release dates and potential performance issues in the early build.
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
When will the new Xbox PC app be available to the public?
Microsoft plans to release the new interface to Xbox Insiders before the end of the year.
What is the codename for the new Xbox PC interface?
The new interface is codenamed Garrison, while the previous cloud gaming test was codenamed Bastion.
Does the new app include new features like community tools?
No, the current focus is on boosting performance and usability rather than adding new functionality.
