Xbox PC app redesign: up to 60% faster, out for Insiders now
Xbox's redesigned PC app launches up to 60% faster, with a simpler Library and friends list. It's out for Xbox Insiders now, with everyone else to follow.
07th Nov 2026 10:45
Image via Microsoft
Xbox PC app redesign: up to 60% faster, out for Insiders now
Xbox's redesigned PC app launches up to 60% faster, with a simpler Library and friends list. It's out for Xbox Insiders now, with everyone else to follow.
07th Nov 2026 10:45
Image via Microsoft
Microsoft has started rolling out a redesigned Xbox app for PC, and if you've ever sat watching a loading spinner while your Game Pass library slowly shuffles into place, the headline number should be music to your ears.
In a post on Xbox Wire on November 5, Microsoft said the new app launches up to 60% faster, with the Home, Store and Game Pass pages loading up to 50% faster and in-app windows opening up to 65% faster, although it adds that results will vary depending on your device, connection and setup.
For now the new app is only available to members of the Xbox Insider Program, who can sign up through the Xbox Insider Hub on Windows. Microsoft hasn't said when it'll reach everyone else, so the rest of us will have to keep twiddling our thumbs for a little while longer.
Friends in high places
Alongside the speed boost, the Library has simpler navigation, updated filters and new ways to organise your games, while friends and social features have moved into the main navigation, so you can see what your mates are playing, start a chat or join a party without digging through menus.
Search now covers your games, including installed titles and add-ons, as well as people from one place, and there's a general visual refresh with updated game cards, a new-look Home and Settings, and smoother animations.
Xbox's web cloud gaming experience is getting the same treatment, with a new Library tab that shows every cloud-playable game you own or get through Game Pass, a desktop mode that makes better use of bigger screens and five new high-contrast options. Microsoft says it'll reach more players automatically over the next few weeks, or you can try it now at play.xbox.com.
The timing is interesting, as VGC and Windows Central report that Game Pass's new monthly cloud gaming limits also kick in this month, giving Ultimate members 15 hours a month, Premium members 10 and Essential members five, with paid playtime passes available if you run out.
We argued a while back that if Xbox is serious about PC Game Pass, subscribers deserve a better app, so it's good to see Microsoft finally getting round to it. If you mostly stream your games, here's how to play Fortnite with Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Well, at least you'll be waiting on your friends to get online now, rather than the app.
About The Author
Jake Bannister
Jake is GGRecon's Co-Founder and Operations Director. You'll find him covering our word game brain teasers, as well as sports games such as Football Manager and EA FC. He's also that teammate on your Rocket League team spamming "Wow!".
