Xbox Insiders get upgraded Xbox App with support for third-party apps

Microsoft has started testing a new feature in its Xbox app for Windows 11 that aims to make it the central hub for your PC gaming experience. The new “My apps” section allows users to install and launch a selection of third-party applications, including web browsers and even other storefronts like Battle.net and GOG Galaxy, directly from the Xbox interface.

This move seems primarily aimed at improving the user experience on Windows-based gaming handhelds. In a blog post, a Microsoft representative noted that “My apps” will allow players to easily switch between apps from the Xbox full-screen on Windows 11 handhelds, including the upcoming ROG Ally. This would be a welcome change for anyone who finds navigating the standard Windows desktop with a controller to be a bit clumsy.

Early tests of the beta feature show it in action with apps like Edge, Battle.net, and GOG Galaxy. For applications that are already installed on your system, it acts as a simple launcher. For those that aren't, it attempts to handle the entire download and installation process from within the Xbox UI. As you'd expect from an early beta, the process is reportedly a bit buggy at the moment, but it clearly shows promise. As of now, the process is exclusively available to Xbox Insiders.

This is the next logical step in Microsoft's long-stated ambition to make the Xbox app the heart of PC gaming. The company has already been working to integrate games from other libraries like Steam and Ubisoft Connect, and adding support for the essential apps that gamers use alongside them further solidifies that goal.

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KitGuru says: For now, Microsoft is testing the feature with a curated selection of apps and plans to expand the list in the future. While it's still in beta, “My apps” is a promising development that could make launching into a game on a Windows handheld as seamless as it is on a dedicated console.

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