Xbox redesign cuts PC app launch time by up to 60%
Xbox Insiders can begin testing a redesigned PC app that Microsoft says launches up to 60% faster, with simpler navigation intended to work better with
Xbox Insiders can begin testing a redesigned PC app that Microsoft says launches up to 60% faster, with simpler navigation intended to work better with a controller. Updates to Xbox’s web experience and cloud gaming apps are also in the works.
The new PC app is rolling out to Insiders now. Microsoft plans to begin distributing the refreshed cloud gaming interface over the next few weeks, including on supported smart TVs and VR headsets.
A faster, simpler PC app
Microsoft says the redesign speeds up more than the initial launch. Pages such as Home, Store and Game Pass load up to 50% faster, while windows opened within the app load up to 65% faster, said Jason Beaumont, Xbox’s vice president of experiences.
The interface has also been simplified. Navigation and the library have been reworked to make games easier to find, and the company says it has improved search and made friends easier to reach. The layout is designed to feel less like a mouse-driven Windows program when players use a controller.
That change addresses a challenge Microsoft faced as it expanded Xbox’s presence on Windows. After the company launched its Xbox Ally handheld devices last year, the PC app still needed work to deliver an experience closer to using an Xbox console. A controller-friendly design matters especially on handhelds, where navigating menus with a mouse-oriented interface can feel awkward.
Web and cloud updates follow
The PC app is part of a broader refresh across Xbox experiences. Microsoft is bringing its updated web experience to more players and plans changes to cloud gaming apps on supported televisions and VR headsets. The cloud interface will begin rolling out in the coming weeks.
The changes aim to make Xbox feel faster and more familiar across different screens, whether players are using a Windows PC, a television or a headset. For now, the redesigned PC app is limited to Xbox Insiders, whose feedback Microsoft says will help shape future updates. The next step is the wider rollout of the cloud gaming interface.
