This is an Xbox. If you find yourself reading this on any web-connected device, particularly a Windows PC, Microsoft is keen for you to embrace that notion. In a bold move to reinforce its expansive strategy of “everything, everywhere, all at once,” the tech giant is integrating PC games into the Xbox PC app, starting with the popular platform, Steam.
Integration of Steam Library
The latest iteration of the Xbox app for PC, available through the “Insider Hub” program—a beta distinct from the standard Windows Insider builds of Windows 11—now boasts the ability to access your Steam library. This new feature was unveiled on the Xbox blog and subsequently highlighted by The Verge.
According to the announcement, “When a player installs a game from a supported PC storefront, it will automatically appear in ‘My library’ within the Xbox PC app, as well as the ‘Most recent’ list of titles in the sidebar—making it easier than ever to jump back into your games.”
As someone whose extensive collection of PC games largely resides within Steam, I eagerly opened the Insider Hub and launched the Xbox app to explore this new functionality. However, I was met with disappointment as the app failed to recognize my Steam library games, even after downloading a couple of titles specifically for this review. A moment of frustration ensued.
Interestingly, Microsoft referenced Battle.net—owned by the company—in its announcement while carefully avoiding a direct mention of Steam, instead opting for the phrase “other leading PC storefronts.”
Microsoft has indicated that additional PC storefronts will soon be integrated into this interface. This is a timely development, as the anticipated launch of the ROG Xbox Ally later this year necessitates a fully operational system. Despite its Xbox branding, this handheld gaming device will run on Windows 11, featuring a revamped, streamlined console-style interface designed to compete with the Steam Deck. This initiative is a small yet significant aspect of Microsoft’s broader transition towards becoming a powerhouse in publishing and subscription services, focusing more on software and services rather than hardware sales.