Xbox Game Bar Archives

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Microsoft dives into the handheld gaming PC wars with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally

Microsoft has unveiled the Asus ROG Xbox Ally hardware line, a Windows-powered handheld gaming device. The Xbox Ally devices run on Windows 11 and provide access to a wide range of games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect through an aggregated gaming library. This library simplifies access to games across different platforms and aims to improve user experience compared to SteamOS devices. The Xbox Ally supports applications like Discord and Twitch and allows for downloadable game mods. It features a unique "Xbox Experience for Handheld" interface that hides the Windows desktop to enhance gaming focus and performance. A dedicated Xbox button offers quick access to the Xbox Game Bar overlay for settings and performance monitoring. Microsoft is also creating a program to identify Windows titles optimized for handheld gaming.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Why are Xbox Series X|S, Xbox 360 … and Windows Phone games showing up on the Xbox PC app?

The Xbox PC app, which allows access to Microsoft Store PC games and PC Game Pass, has been improving, but recent changes indicate issues with library management. Microsoft is unifying the back ends of the Xbox One store and Xbox Series X|S consoles, leading to beta tests for deactivated games appearing on devices like the Lenovo Legion Go, resulting in unplayable clutter. Users cannot hide games or track cloud save statuses, and the "My PC games" section displays outdated and non-functional titles instead of actual PC games. Clicking on non-PC Xbox games redirects users to the Xbox console store without resolution, causing frustration among gamers. Microsoft is reportedly investing in enhancing Windows 11 PC gaming and the Xbox PC app, possibly in anticipation of an announcement regarding Project Kennan. The current inconsistencies may be due to backend unification efforts, creating confusion for Xbox gamers using various devices.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming: Which One Should You Choose?

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro does not yield significant benefits in gaming performance, compatibility, or features for most gamers. Both editions provide identical gaming performance, supporting the same core gaming technologies such as DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and Game Mode. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one CPU socket with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets with 128 cores. Pro includes additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management, which are not typically utilized by gamers. The price of Windows 11 Home is lower than that of Pro, making it a more cost-effective choice for gaming. Both editions meet the hardware requirements for modern gaming, and compatibility with major games and platforms is consistent across both versions.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

Microsoft might finally get me to use Xbox Game Bar with its latest update

The Xbox Game Bar has been updated with an improved design for easier controller navigation, featuring a new Compact Mode optimized for controllers. This mode offers a user-friendly interface that allows for seamless cycling through widgets and settings. Additionally, a new widget store enables users to browse and install widgets directly using their controllers, which is particularly beneficial for portable Windows devices. The update enhances the overall gaming experience, especially for handheld gaming devices.

Winsage

November 17, 2024

Windows 11 build 26100.2448 (KB5046740) gets better Windows Setup, Mica fixes, DISM, more

Microsoft has released a new Release Preview build for Windows 11 24H2 Insiders, identified as build 26100.2448 under KB5046740. This update includes various fixes and enhancements, such as: - Start menu: Users can access jump lists by right-clicking pinned apps. - Taskbar: Shortened date and time displayed; notification bell icon may be hidden in "Do not disturb" mode; clicking date and time opens notification center; full date and time format adjustable in settings. - Touchscreen: New section for managing edge gestures. - Task Manager: Dark mode support for Disconnect and Logoff dialogs; Performance section now shows disk types. - Input Method Editor (IME): IME toolbar hides in full-screen mode for Chinese or Japanese typing. - File Explorer: Users can share content directly to Android devices via context menu; fixed expansion direction of the menu when selecting the See more button. - IFilters: Windows Search runs IFilters in Less Privileged App Containers for enhanced security. - Dynamic Lighting Settings: Placeholder message for no compatible devices; new directional options for effects. - Narrator: Enhancements for better navigation through documents. - Speech in Windows: Improvements to speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionalities. - Settings: Tailored Experiences rebranded as Personalized offers. - Jump lists: Shift and CTRL while clicking opens items with administrative privileges. - DISM: StartComponentCleanup task fixed. - PowerShell: Stabilized Get-WindowsCapability command. - Windows Update: Resolved error 0x800f0905 during updates. - JPG files: APIs for rotation information now functional. - Display: Fixed clustering of app windows after sleep mode; corrected Mica material display with slideshow backgrounds. - Mouse: Fixed pointer location circle size on certain displays. - Clipboard: Resolved clipboard history showing no content. - Taskbar: Fixed search box display issues when auto-hidden. - HTML Applications (HTA): Fixed inclusion of HTA optional components in ARM64 Windows PE. - Graphics Device Interface Plus (GDI+): Fixed image file property issues and scaling errors during re-encoding. - RAW format images: Fixed orientation issues. - Exporting chart objects: Resolved freezing issues in PDF and XLSX formats. - Mouse and Xbox game bar: Fixed mouse unlocking issues with multiple monitors.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Gamers are finally flocking to Windows 11 after 3 years

Windows 11 has reached a 51.97% adoption rate among gamers, a 4.28% increase from the previous month, while Windows 10 has declined to 45.95%, a decrease of 2.71%. Windows 11 first surpassed Windows 10 in adoption in August, and the gap is widening as users migrate. Windows 10 will be retired on October 14, 2025, with Microsoft offering an additional year of security updates for a fee. Recent performance issues with AMD’s Ryzen 9000 CPUs at launch were addressed in the 24H2 update. The Steam hardware survey also reported a 1.53% increase in RTX 3060 users, now at 7.24%. Windows 11 includes features like the Xbox Game Bar and DirectStorage to enhance gaming experiences.

Winsage

August 22, 2024

5 apps you should be using instead of the default ones on Windows 11

Windows 11 users often seek alternatives to the default applications due to limited functionality and usability. The process of changing default apps differs between Windows 10 and 11; Windows 11 requires users to set a default app for each file type individually. The default media player, Movies & TV app, has limitations such as lack of codec support and missing features like conversion tools. Recommended alternatives include VLC Media Player and PotPlayer. Microsoft Edge is underutilized, with only 15% of users opting for it, while alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera GX, and Vivaldi are popular. Microsoft's Clipchamp is a basic video editor, with Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve as better options for complex editing. The Photos app is the default image editor, with Adobe Photoshop as the premium choice and GIMP and Canva as free alternatives. Windows 11's screen recording tools, like Xbox Game Bar, may underperform, while OBS Studio and Nvidia's GeForce Experience's ShadowPlay offer better options.

Winsage

August 16, 2024

Windows 11 runs better than ever on a Steam Deck OLED, but it still doesn’t matter

Valve released a new suite of Windows 11 drivers for the Steam Deck OLED on August 15, 2024, aimed at improving the performance of the device's AMD processor, wireless connectivity, and audio playback. The Steam Deck, launched in February 2022, is known as the world's most popular gaming handheld and supports the installation of alternative operating systems, including Windows 11. Users can install Windows 11 by wiping the internal storage, but dual-booting with SteamOS is not officially supported, and a dual-boot wizard has not yet been released. The current version of SteamOS is 3.5.19. There is speculation that dual-boot support may be introduced with the anticipated Steam Deck 2. Despite updates to Windows 11, many users prefer the default SteamOS for its convenience and tailored experience.

Winsage

August 16, 2024

Debloating Windows made me realize how packed with useless features it is

Windows 11 often comes preloaded with unnecessary software, known as bloatware, which can slow down system performance. Common preinstalled applications include TikTok, Microsoft Teams, OneNote, Copilot, and Xbox Game Bar. The operating system also features a cluttered taskbar and unsolicited news articles, along with telemetry features that some users may want to avoid. Tools like Win11Debloat and Tiny11 can help users remove unwanted applications and background processes, leading to improved performance and a more organized operating system. Users report a noticeable enhancement in their experience after using Win11Debloat, as it allows for a customized installation by eliminating unnecessary features and distractions.

Winsage

August 15, 2024

The compact Xbox Game Bar is fine, but I hope it’s not a Windows handheld bandage

Microsoft has introduced a compact version of the Xbox Game Bar, currently available to Xbox Insider program members, aimed at enhancing usability on portable devices. This update is designed to assist gaming handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally by providing a streamlined way to adjust settings and launch games without navigating the Windows desktop. The compact Game Bar offers quick access to features such as screenshots, social interactions, and audio controls, with an optimized interface for smaller screens. It allows users to launch main storefront applications and tools like Armoury Crate, although it still requires navigating through multiple screens to reach games. The performance tab lacks the ability to pin on-screen in compact mode, limiting its utility compared to competitors like the Steam Deck. Overall, the compact Game Bar is seen as a basic update rather than a significant innovation in the handheld gaming experience.