Windows 10 packs many new features, one of them is the ability to stream Xbox One games to any Windows 10 device over a local network. Although, the feature can be customized for different speeds depending on the network, a new secret setting has been found that allows the Xbox app to offer higher speed rates to increase the quality of the experience.
A Reddit user, OomaThurman, unveils details of a “very high” video quality setting hidden within the Xbox app for Windows 10. According to people who have been testing the new setting, the quality of the streaming is greater, the image looks sharper and blur is not as noticeable. However, the application will by nature consume a higher bit rate of the network bandwidth.
Using the new setting will require a network throughput close to 20 mbps to stream an Xbox One game to your Windows 10 PC. In addition, if your home network can handle the very high quality, you will probably see occasional buffering, which it could be one of the reasons why Microsoft is not officially offering the streaming option at this time.
If you’ve been using the Xbox game streaming feature through a Wi-Fi connection, you’ll probably want to test the new hidden setting with a wired connection for better results.
If you want to give the secret setting a try, follow the steps below:
Enable very high Xbox One streaming to Windows 10
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Open the Run command, type the following path, and hit Enter.
%localappdata%\Packages\
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Browse for the folder that start with Microsoft.XboxApp and navigate to Local State.
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Open the userconsoledata file with Notepad.
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Change the IsInternalPreview variable from false to true, and save the file to complete.
That’s all there is to it. Launch the Xbox app for Windows 10 in your PC again, connect to the console to stream a game and you should now notice the difference on quality, if your network can handle the stream quality.
Did you try the super hidden secret setting? Did you notice the quality difference? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
Update, August 26, 2015: Microsoft has pushed a new update for its Xbox app officially enabling the new high quality game streaming setting. Simply open the Xbox app for Windows 10, go Settings > Game streaming and select the “Very high” option.
Source Reddit via Windows Central
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].