- The redesigned XBOX PC app launches up to 60 percent faster, loads Home, Store, and Game Pass pages up to 50 percent faster, and opens in-app windows up to 65 percent faster.
- XBOX Insiders can get the updated app through the Microsoft Store, while the redesigned experience may require selecting the Switch button in the app.
- The refreshed cloud gaming web experience adds a Library for owned and Game Pass games, desktop mode, light and dark themes, and five high-contrast options.
- Microsoft is bringing the refreshed XBOX interface to supported TVs and VR headsets to create a more familiar gaming experience across devices.
Microsoft is updating its XBOX experience across Windows 11 PC, web, TVs, and VR, with faster app performance, easier game discovery, and a more consistent interface.
The company is working to make its XBOX experience faster and easier to use, no matter where players choose to play. The software giant is rolling out a redesigned XBOX PC app with significant performance improvements while expanding its refreshed cloud gaming experience to more players and supported devices.
Starting November 5, 2026, XBOX Insiders can try the updated app, which Microsoft says launches up to 60 percent faster. The update also improves navigation, makes friends easier to reach, and introduces better ways to search and organize game libraries.
The updated app will eventually install automatically, but users can also check for it manually through the Microsoft Store. To do this, open the Store, select Downloads from the bottom left, and click “Check for updates.”
After installing the update, the previous app experience may still appear. In that case, users need to select the “Switch” button in the bottom-left corner of the app to activate the redesigned experience.
In addition to the new experience, the company is also expanding its refreshed cloud gaming web experience and bringing a more familiar interface to supported TVs and VR headsets.
The XBOX PC app is getting faster and easier to use
The most notable improvement is performance. Microsoft says the updated app launches up to 60 percent faster, while Home, Store, and Game Pass pages load up to 50 percent faster. In-app windows also open up to 65 percent faster.
These improvements should make common interactions more responsive, especially when browsing games or moving between sections of the app. The company notes that its results are based on internal testing, and actual performance may vary by device, internet connection, and system configuration.
The redesign also focuses on navigation and game discovery. The Library gets simpler navigation, updated filters, and additional organization options. Friends and social features move into the main navigation, making it easier to see what friends are playing, start conversations, and join parties.
Search is also expanding to include games, installed titles, add-ons, and people from one place. Microsoft is refreshing game cards, Home, Settings, and animations to create a cleaner interface.
XBOX cloud gaming gets a better library and more customization
Microsoft is also expanding its refreshed XBOX cloud gaming web experience, which first became available to Insiders in January 2026.
Over the next few weeks, the updated experience will automatically reach more players. Those who want to try it sooner can visit play.xbox.com.
One of the most useful additions is a new Library tab that brings together games available through cloud gaming, including titles players own and games available through XBOX Game Pass.
Players can browse, sort, and filter their collections by recently played games, genre, supported input methods, and other criteria.
The web experience also gets a desktop mode that makes better use of larger displays, allowing players to see more games while browsing on computers. Customization options include light and dark themes, along with five high-contrast options.
Microsoft is bringing a familiar experience to TVs and VR
The update also extends to supported TVs and VR headsets. The software giant is beginning to bring the refreshed appearance and navigation to its XBOX cloud gaming apps on these devices.
The goal is to make finding games, checking which titles are available, and starting a gaming session feel familiar across different screens.
This reflects Microsoft’s broader effort to make XBOX accessible beyond traditional consoles and Windows 11. Cloud gaming lets players access games on supported devices without dedicated gaming hardware, but the experience also needs to be easy to navigate.
The company is also putting more effort into optimizing Windows and its apps to make better use of existing hardware. We’ve seen the company introduce several performance improvements to Windows 11 and work on making its apps more efficient. The latest XBOX app update is another example of this effort, focusing on faster launches, quicker navigation, and a more responsive experience.
The desktop app improvements are rolling out first to XBOX Insiders, while the refreshed web experience will reach more players over the coming weeks. Updates for supported TVs and VR headsets are also beginning to roll out.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 23 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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