Xbox Insiders Archives

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

Arm-Based Windows 11 PCs Can Now Download and Play Games from the Xbox App

Microsoft's Xbox app on Windows 11 now supports game downloads on all ARM-based PCs, expanding functionality beyond cloud gaming for Qualcomm-powered devices. This update follows an initial rollout for Xbox Insiders in August, coinciding with Epic Games' compatibility of its Easy Anti-Cheat system with Windows on ARM. The Prism emulator was updated in December to support more x86 games on ARM devices, and the Xbox app now includes a Windows Performance Fit feature to assess game performance based on hardware. Over 85% of the Game Pass catalog is compatible with ARM PCs, with ongoing efforts to increase support. Emulation performance has improved on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series chips, with further enhancements expected from upcoming X2 series chips, although native ARM64 game versions are still anticipated.

Winsage

January 21, 2026

Play more: Xbox app is now available on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs

Windows 11 has made significant advancements in gaming, particularly for Arm-based devices. The Xbox app is now available on all Arm-based Windows 11 PCs, with over 85% of the Game Pass catalog compatible. Xbox Cloud Gaming offers an alternative for unsupported titles. The introduction of Prism allows x86/x64 software to run on Arm, supporting AVX and AVX2 for modern games. Epic Anti-Cheat support has enabled popular games like Gears of War: Reloaded and Fortnite on these devices. The Windows Performance Fit feature helps players choose games based on their hardware capabilities. Ongoing collaborations aim to enhance catalog compatibility and improve the gaming experience on various Windows 11 devices. Player feedback is shaping updates and new titles for Arm-based Windows 11 PCs.

Winsage

December 9, 2025

Windows PC gaming in 2025: Handheld innovation, Arm progress and DirectX advances

Windows has been a key platform for PC gaming, evolving significantly by 2025 with advancements in handheld gaming and performance. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, powered by AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors, were introduced, enhancing handheld gaming experiences. The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was launched for these devices, optimizing gaming interfaces. Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) was implemented, reducing load times by over 80% for some titles. System-level performance improvements included tuned power management and lower CPU overhead. Windows also focused on Arm devices, enabling local game installations through the Xbox PC app and expanding compatibility with the Prism emulator. Native anti-cheat support was introduced for Arm devices, enhancing competitive gaming. DirectX 12 advancements included features that improved ray tracing performance by up to 2.3×. Bluetooth LE Audio support was added to enhance audio quality for gamers. Upcoming innovations include expanding FSE to more Windows devices, further ASD support, and a preview of Auto Super Resolution for improved visuals in games.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors for Windows Insiders

Windows Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 is now available for the Dev and Beta Channels, expanding the Xbox full screen experience to laptops, desktops, and tablets. This feature provides an immersive gaming environment designed for console-style navigation. Users can access it via the Task View icon or by pressing Win + Tab, and it can be toggled on and off with Win + F11. The Xbox home screen will display a variety of games, and switching between applications is facilitated by a long press on the Xbox button. The rollout of this feature is phased, and it requires the Xbox app from the Microsoft Store. Feedback can be submitted through the Feedback Hub under Gaming and Xbox > Gaming Full Screen Experience.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (KB5070307) has been released for both the Dev and Beta Channels. Insiders can switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel while both channels have the same updates. The Xbox full screen experience is now available for additional Windows 11 PC form factors, accessible through Task View, Game Bar settings, or the Win + F11 hotkey. Point-in-time restore is introduced for both channels, allowing users to revert their devices to a previous state. Fluid dictation is now available for voice typing users on NPU devices, enhancing the dictation experience. Vivo Android phone users can resume browsing activity from their phone to their PC, and users of Honor, Huawei, Oppo, Samsung, and Vivo can continue working on M365 Copilot app files across devices. The context menu in File Explorer is being refined, and users can now uninstall Store-managed apps directly from the Microsoft Store. Fixes include resolving taskbar issues, internet connectivity problems, and crashes in Settings. Known issues include the virtual keyboard not being visible for controller users and some applications exhibiting unexpected behavior with the Xbox full screen experience.

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.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Xbox for PC Now Lets You Play Your Steam Games

Microsoft is enhancing its Xbox app to consolidate various game libraries into one platform for PC users. The update allows gamers to view all installed titles, regardless of purchase source, including third-party storefronts like Battle.net, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Steam, alongside the Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Pass. The app will indicate the source of each game and automatically add games from supported storefronts to 'My Library' and the 'Most Recent' list. Users can customize which libraries to display through account settings. This feature, tested by Xbox Insiders, began rolling out to all users on September 15. The upgrade also introduces a 'My apps' tab for easier access to third-party software. Future plans include integrating cloud-playable games for seamless play across devices, with game history accessible under a 'Jump back in' banner on the home screen.

Winsage

September 17, 2025

New features enhance gaming experience on Windows PCs and handhelds

Xbox has introduced new features to enhance the gaming experience on Windows PCs and handheld devices, based on feedback from Xbox Insiders and the gaming community. Key features include an aggregated gaming library that consolidates installed games from various platforms such as Xbox Game Pass and Battle.net, allowing for unified access. Additionally, cross-device play history enables players to track their gaming activities across different devices, ensuring progress and achievements are accessible regardless of where they play. The updated app functionality provides a more intuitive interface for gamers.

Winsage

September 16, 2025

This new Windows 11 update turns the Xbox app into an all-in-one game launcher

Microsoft has updated its Xbox app on Windows 11 to streamline the gaming experience by consolidating all installed games into a single library, allowing access to titles from various third-party storefronts like Steam and Epic Games. The update includes an aggregated game library, support for popular storefronts, customizable visibility settings, and easy access to individual storefront applications. Microsoft plans to introduce cloud-playable games and play history features in a future update. The update is now live for Windows 11 gaming PCs after a successful testing phase with Xbox Insiders.

Winsage

September 16, 2025

Xbox PC App Now Aggregates Other Storefronts and their Games

Microsoft is rolling out an aggregated storefront and games integration feature for the Xbox PC app, allowing it to identify and integrate games owned and downloaded from various PC storefronts, including Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. This update will enable users to access their games in one library, simplifying the process of launching titles across different platforms. The new aggregated gaming library will automatically display installed games from supported storefronts in "My Library" and the "Most Recent" section of the Xbox PC app. Users can customize their library view by toggling off listings from specific storefronts. A new tab in My Library will also consolidate third-party apps and storefronts for easier access. Additionally, players will soon have access to cloud-playable games and gameplay history across devices, with a "Jump back in" list available on the Home screen.