Microsoft updates Xbox PC, web and cloud apps with faster design

Microsoft is introducing a revamped Xbox PC application that is designed to launch up to 60 percent faster than previous versions. This update features a redesigned layout that aligns with changes coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming on the web and smart televisions. Xbox Insiders can begin testing the new PC application today, while the updated cloud gaming interface is scheduled to roll out over the following few weeks.

Since the release of Xbox Ally handheld devices last year, it became apparent that the Xbox PC app required improvements to better mirror the console experience on Windows. Microsoft has simplified the application to ensure that users do not feel as though they are operating a mouse when using a controller. Jason Beaumont, VP of Xbox experiences, stated, “The app now launches up to 60 percent faster.” He added, “Pages like Home, Store, and Game Pass load up to 50 percent faster, and in-app windows open up to 65 percent faster.”

The updated PC app includes simplified navigation to improve controller usability, alongside a library section that features refined filters and better organization for installed titles. Microsoft has also enhanced social features, placing friends on the main page with quick-access buttons for starting chats or joining parties. The application incorporates a blend of native and web elements, while refreshed game cards, settings, and home sections, combined with updated animations, provide a feel more akin to an Xbox dashboard.

Testing of the new PC app over the past few weeks showed that it performs noticeably faster across various devices. Navigating with a controller is significantly easier, and the search interface no longer appears unexpectedly while moving between sections. While this redesign makes the current Game Bar on handhelds seem slightly dated, Microsoft is reportedly planning to update that interface in the coming months to ensure it matches the new PC app design.

The new interface is also extending to Xbox Cloud Gaming. According to Beaumont, “We’re also bringing the refreshed Xbox web experience to more players and rolling out updates to Xbox Cloud Gaming apps on supported TVs and VR headsets.” He noted that these modifications are intended to make the Xbox experience simpler, faster, and more familiar regardless of the platform. The web version of Xbox Cloud Gaming now mirrors the look of the PC app, featuring a library tab that highlights games from both individual collections and Xbox Game Pass.

The web update includes a desktop mode for larger displays and offers both dark and light themes, plus five high-contrast options to boost accessibility. Similar designs will arrive on smart TVs and VR headsets soon, though Microsoft has customised these to suit specific screens. Beaumont explained, “Playing on a PC, TV, or VR headset is different, and each experience needs to work well for the screen you’re using.” He concluded, “Wherever you play, the basics should feel familiar: finding your games, knowing what you can play, and getting into a game quickly.”