Performance, capture, and system-level gaming features
The new PC gamer in our scenario can now access their games in one place. But they're still looking for more ways to optimize their experience—they want to play games with their favorite controllers, reduce distractions, improve their system performance, link up with friends, and capture their highlights.
Here are some of the ways the Xbox app and features built into Windows support better game sessions.
Play with native controller support
Mouse and keyboard versus gamepad was once a trademark distinction between PC and console gamers. Now it's easy to use either option on Windows. Xbox controllers can quickly sync up with your PC via Bluetooth or USB wired connection, as well as via dedicated wireless adapter. In many cases, there's no need to install extra drivers or configure settings before your controller is ready to use.
The Controller Bar lets you launch and control the Xbox app—and your most recent games—all from the controller. That means you can start your next gaming session without switching back and forth between input types.
Improve performance with Game Mode
Windows often handles multiple tasks in the background while you use your computer. For example, Windows Update might pre-load resources to keep your system up to date. However, those kinds of processes and their notifications might cause brief disruptions when you're focused on a game.
Game Mode temporarily reallocates the resources dedicated to those processes and disables their notifications. With Game Mode enabled, your PC can dedicate more system resources to keeping your game running smoothly—so you can stay focused during critical game moments.
Note
Windows automatically enables and disables Game Mode for most games. You can also toggle it manually.
Enhance game visuals and audio
Whether a game uses realistic graphics and sound to immerse you in the action or dream-like visuals and soundscapes to transport you to another world, PC gamers want to experience games at their best. These Windows features can help you get a better experience with minimal extra effort:
- Better visuals: In the context of games, high-dynamic range (HDR) refers to visuals with a broader range of bright and dark colors than their standard-range counterparts. Not all games natively take advantage of HDR capabilities, but Auto HDR in Windows can automatically increase their color range and brightness for a more vibrant picture on compatible displays.
- More immersive sound: Sound can make a game environment even more convincing—and let you know that offscreen enemies are moving in your direction. Windows Sonic is a spatial sound solution for headphones that can make sound effects seem more like they're coming from their in-game point of origin, creating more compelling audio experiences.
- Performance tracking: Knowing how much of your system resources a game is using can help you configure the best experience possible—and you don't need non-Microsoft tools to measure performance in real time. The Performance widget on the Game Bar lets you track frames per second on-screen and break down resource utilization by CPU, GPU, and RAM so you can find the optimal settings.
Share game moments
PC gamers have been sharing their play experiences since at least the dawn of the LAN party—but you don't need to bring your gaming rig over to your friend's house to show off your favorite gaming moments or jump into your next multiplayer match.
Without leaving your game, the Xbox Social section of the Game Bar lets you see what your friends are playing, start chatting, or invite them to your party for easy communication. Even if your friends are offline, the Looking for Group section lets you browse posts or create your own to find your next play group.
The Game Bar also lets you take screenshots and record clips using keyboard shortcuts or the Xbox controller's Share button on Windows 11. That means you don't need to interrupt your game to capture your favorite moments and share them later.