Hands-on: rebuilt Xbox PC app promises major performance gains
Microsoft is preparing a rebuilt Xbox PC app codenamed Garrison, which may reach Xbox Insiders before the end of the year. A hands-on preview found it much faster than the previous app, especially when loading a library of more than 1,400 Xbox titles. The app supports mouse and keyboard or controller input and can be set as the default home screen in Windows 11’s Game Mode.
Microsoft’s rebuilt Xbox PC app, codenamed Garrison, is an early preview that may reach Xbox Insiders before year’s end. The hands-on found it substantially quicker than the current version, particularly with a library exceeding 1,400 Xbox games. It accepts mouse-and-keyboard or controller navigation and can serve as the default home screen in Windows 11’s Game Mode.
The redesign follows summer testing of a cloud-gaming interface called Bastion, which sought a more console-like experience. The existing PC app has drawn complaints over slow loading in large libraries and the store. Garrison appears focused on performance and ease of use first, with store pages still incomplete, and it is already appearing in Windows 11 builds.
A faster, controller-friendly Xbox PC app could make large game libraries less frustrating to browse, especially for players on Windows handhelds or living-room setups. If it becomes a default Game Mode home screen, Microsoft may gain more influence over how PC users discover and launch games. Developers could benefit from clearer store visibility, though that depends on features not yet shown. The impact may be modest for Steam loyalists, but it could improve accessibility and convenience for Xbox-centric players.