Xbox PC App Gets a Speed Boost, but Microsoft Says the Work Isn't Done

Microsoft is making a fresh push to win back PC players who have found the Xbox app frustrating. The company says the latest version loads content roughly 60% faster than before and makes it simpler to find and launch the games in your library.

The app has had a rough reputation in recent years, with complaints about sluggish performance and a navigation experience that many felt got in the way of simply playing. This update is Microsoft's most visible answer to that criticism, and the speed claim is the centerpiece. It is the company's own figure, so how much of a difference it makes will depend on individual machines and libraries.

Asha Sharma, the company's CEO, was candid that the job isn't finished. Her message was that there is "plenty more to do," which suggests more changes are on the way rather than this release being a final fix.

For PC players who use the Xbox app as their main hub for games, the practical promise is a quicker, less cluttered path from launcher to gameplay. Whether that holds up in day-to-day use will be the real test of this update.