Xbox Game Bar Archives

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Microsoft Gaming Copilot hits Windows in public beta — in-game AI overlay goes live for PC players

Microsoft has begun the public beta rollout of its Gaming Copilot assistant for Windows users on September 19, following an earlier introduction to Xbox Insiders in August. The Gaming Copilot is integrated within the Xbox Game Bar overlay and utilizes AI for real-time support by analyzing screen content and Xbox account history. It assists players in finding achievements, strategizing builds, and navigating quests without needing external resources. Features include the ability to pin the Copilot as a widget and activate it with push-to-talk voice controls. Compatibility concerns exist regarding anti-cheat measures, as the Copilot's overlay may complicate protections for certain games. The Gaming Copilot is available to players aged 18 and older, except in mainland China.

Winsage

September 16, 2025

I’ve moved on from Microsoft’s Xbox controllers, but this new feature is something I’ve wanted for years on Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in the Xbox PC app that allows gamers to switch between application windows more easily through a revamped full-screen experience. This feature, which includes a long press on the Xbox home button to activate a new Task View, is currently available to users in Microsoft's Windows 11 Insider program. It will be a core component of the Xbox PC app's full-screen experience and is a timed exclusive for the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally device developed with Asus. The Xbox Game Bar has been noted for needing an overhaul due to past performance issues, and while there is skepticism about whether these enhancements will attract users from platforms like SteamOS, they are seen as promising for desktop gaming. The competition between Windows 11 and SteamOS regarding performance metrics raises questions about the impact of this new full-screen experience on gameplay.

Winsage

September 13, 2025

New, hidden features rolled out in Windows 11

Windows 11 offers several features to enhance user experience: - Snap Layouts: Hovering over the maximize button reveals a grid of layout options for arranging multiple applications on the screen. - Virtual Desktops: Users can create multiple desktops for different tasks by pressing Windows + Tab and selecting ‘New Desktop,’ allowing for easy switching with Ctrl + Windows + arrow keys. - Focus Sessions: Located in the Clock app, this feature allows users to set a timer to minimize distractions during work sessions. - Clipboard History: Accessed by pressing Windows + V, this feature provides a list of recently copied items and allows users to pin frequently used snippets. - Built-in screen recording: The Xbox Game Bar includes a screen recording feature activated by pressing Windows + G and clicking the record button or using Windows + Alt + R. - Dynamic Refresh Rate: This feature adjusts the screen refresh rate based on user activity to enhance scrolling smoothness and conserve battery life, found under Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. - Emoji and symbol picker: Pressing Windows + period (.) opens a menu for quick access to emojis, GIFs, and symbols.

Winsage

September 13, 2025

These hidden features in Windows 11 can make your life easier

Windows 11 includes several features that enhance productivity: - Snap Layouts allow users to organize multiple applications on the screen by hovering over the maximize button. - Virtual Desktops enable users to create and switch between distinct workspaces for different tasks by pressing “Windows + Tab” and selecting “New Desktop.” - Focus Sessions help minimize distractions by setting a timer in the Clock app to create a “do not disturb” environment. - Clipboard History lets users access a list of their most recent copied items by pressing “Windows + V.” - The Xbox Game Bar provides a built-in screen recording function accessible by pressing “Windows + G.” - Dynamic Refresh Rate automatically adjusts the refresh rate for smoother scrolling and battery conservation on compatible laptops. - An Emoji and Symbol Picker can be accessed by pressing “Windows + period” for quick access to emojis, GIFs, and symbols.

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.