Microsoft is tackling long-standing performance complaints by pushing out a massive update to the Xbox app on Windows. According to Jason Beaumont, Xbox’s VP of experiences, the newly optimized software build loads up to 60 percent faster than its predecessor. Individual sections such as the Home tab, Game Pass library, and the Xbox Store are also clocking speeds that are roughly 50 percent faster.
This performance overhaul directly addresses sluggish behavior that has long plagued users, particularly those navigating modern handheld Windows PCs like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 and MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. Alongside the speed improvements, the app sheds its previous gray visual style in favor of a bolder, console-inspired design complete with large promotional banners and long-awaited light and dark mode toggles.
The updated user interface leans heavily into a controller-first layout, placing the friends list front and center alongside a reorganized library with advanced filtering options. While Valve's Steam continues to dominate the PC gaming landscape with robust community features, mod support, and vast customization tools, Microsoft is positioning its software changes as a crucial stepping stone for future hardware initiatives and the Xbox Cloud Gaming app on TVs and VR headsets.
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