There is something frustrating about opening a gaming application and realizing that finding the game you want to play takes longer than actually launching it. We usually expect these platforms to make our lives easier, but sometimes navigating menus, waiting for our library to load, and switching between different sections can make the whole experience feel unnecessarily complicated.
This is one of the problems Microsoft seems ready to tackle with a major redesign of the Xbox app for PC.
For years, the Xbox application has had the potential to become a serious alternative to Steam. It already gives players access to PC Game Pass, a large collection of games, and Microsoft's own gaming ecosystem. However, having good games available is not enough if the platform itself feels slow or uncomfortable to use.
Microsoft appears to understand that, and the company is reportedly working on a rebuilt version designed to improve performance and simplify navigation.
One of the most promising changes is the improvement in loading times. According to early impressions shared by Windows Central's Jez Corden, the new application feels significantly faster than the current version, particularly when browsing a library containing more than 1,400 Xbox games.
Tom Warren from The Verge has also shared positive impressions of the redesign. There are no official benchmark figures yet, so we will have to wait for proper testing before knowing exactly how much better it performs.
Still, I think this is precisely the kind of improvement the Xbox app needs. A gaming library should feel responsive, especially when players have dozens or even hundreds of games installed or available through different services.
Nobody wants to spend several seconds waiting for a menu to load every time they want to check their collection. These details might seem insignificant on their own, but they can make a big difference over time.
Another interesting change involves the way games are presented. In the current application, a game's store page and its library page can feel like separate destinations. The redesigned version reportedly combines these experiences into a single interface, making it easier to access information and manage your games.
It should also become clearer which titles can be installed directly on your PC and which ones are available through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The interface will also adapt depending on whether you are using a mouse and keyboard or a controller. This could be particularly useful for handheld gaming devices, where navigating a traditional desktop interface is not always comfortable.
Microsoft is reportedly planning to let users select the Xbox app as the home screen for Windows 11's gaming mode, with larger interface elements designed for controller navigation. Devices such as the ROG Xbox Ally could benefit from this approach.
Of course, there is still work to do. Steam has built a strong position not only because of its store, but also because of its community features, reviews, forums, and the overall convenience of its ecosystem. A faster application is a good starting point, but Microsoft will need to offer more reasons for PC players to make Xbox their preferred destination.
The redesigned app could reach Xbox Insiders before the end of 2026, with a wider release reportedly planned for 2027. However, Microsoft has not confirmed a final release date, so these plans could change.
Personally, I would love to see Microsoft take this opportunity seriously. Xbox does not necessarily need to replace Steam to succeed on PC, but it should provide an experience that makes players want to return.
Better performance, cleaner menus, and easier access to our games are simple improvements, yet they address some of the most noticeable weaknesses of the current application. If Microsoft can combine those changes with stronger community features, the Xbox app might finally become the PC gaming platform many players hoped it would be.
