Gamers, rejoice! Microsoft’s Xbox app on Windows 11 is finally becoming the ultimate central hub, designed to bring all your favorite games under one roof. With this exciting new update, the Xbox app will automatically display and let you launch all your installed titles, regardless of whether you purchased them from Steam, Epic Games, GOG, or elsewhere.
This significant Windows 11 enhancement streamlines your gaming experience by creating a unified library, making it incredibly simple to launch any game installed on your PC directly from the Xbox app. The timing is particularly noteworthy, arriving just weeks before the highly anticipated Xbox Ally handheld launch. This new device is expected to feature a suite of Windows 11 updates optimized for handheld play, positioning it as a strong contender against other leading portable gaming systems.
Microsoft officially unveiled this feature on its Xbox website, stating their goal to consolidate your entire gaming library, various third-party applications, and all PC storefronts within the Xbox app for unparalleled convenience. This update is rolling out now to all Windows 11 gaming PCs, following a successful testing period with Xbox Insiders.
Key new functionalities include a comprehensive, aggregated game library. This library seamlessly integrates your existing Xbox titles, Xbox Game Pass selections, Battle.net games, and games from popular storefronts like Epic, Steam, and GOG. Upon installation, these games will automatically populate within the app, though you retain full control to customize visibility through the settings menu. Additionally, you can still effortlessly open your standalone storefront applications directly from the Xbox app’s ‘My apps’ section.
Microsoft has also hinted at further enhancements arriving later this month, including the integration of cloud-playable games and a ‘jump back in’ feature on the Home screen, which will track your play history. With the Xbox Ally X handheld device launching in just a few weeks, it’s clear Microsoft is accelerating the rollout of these gamer-centric features, which are also expected to grace their new portable platform.
Our team is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to rigorously test these new Xbox handhelds upon their release. In the meantime, for those interested in portable gaming, we encourage you to read our comprehensive review of the Asus ROG Ally X, the previous Asus-manufactured handheld to arrive on the market.
If you’re in the market for a more substantial gaming setup, don’t forget to explore our guide to the best gaming laptops, offering a curated selection from leading manufacturers to fit every budget.
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