Windows Insiders can now test new ‘Xbox Controller Bar’ for easier PC game access
The Xbox Controller Bar lets you jump into a game the moment your controller connects.
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What you need to know
The Xbox Game Bar is a useful feature built into Windows that gives users access to numerous tools and widgets for monitoring game performance, accessing social features, capturing screenshots or game clips, and more. The tool has evolved significantly since its debut, and now it’s preparing to gain another new feature for PC gamers: the Xbox Controller Bar.
TheXbox Controller Bar is now available to testfor users in both the Windows and Xbox Insider Program, and is very straightforward. Whenever anXbox controlleris connected to your PC and you’re not playing a game, you can press the “Xbox” button on your controller to open a simplified menu with quick links to your last three played games and a handful of game launchers.
You’ll be able to access this menu from anywhere in Windows, simplifying the process for starting up your favorite game, especially if you prefer to leave the mouse alone and continue using the controller. Whenever you’re in a game, the “Xbox” button will bring up the fullXbox Game Barand all of your widgets, as expected (pressing
+
still works, as well).
In order to access the feature ahead of release, you’ll need to be a Windows Insider in the latest Dev or Beta Channel update, and you’ll need to be enrolled in the “Windows Gaming preview” from within the Xbox Insider Hub. You’ll likely have to update the Xbox Game Bar from the Microsoft Store and reboot your PC for the feature to appear. While this is a simple addition to the Xbox Game Bar, it does make it a little easier to access yourfavorite PC gameswith a press of a button.
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Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter@BoddyZachary.
