Microsoft Redesigning Xbox App for Windows 11 with Major Update

The updated app will combine game pages and the store into a single window, add support for mice, keyboards, and gamepads, and serve as the home screen for Windows 11 gaming mode.

Microsoft is preparing a major overhaul of the Xbox app for Windows 11 under the codename Garrison, designed to streamline the interface and improve service performance.

According to Windows Central, the project is already being tested at an early stage, and Xbox Insider participants may gain access to it in the coming weeks.

The main change is a streamlined interface that merges game pages and store offerings into a single window. This will make it easier for users to see which games are available for PC download and which run exclusively through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Garrison supports mice, keyboards, and gamepads. The app can also be set as the main screen for Windows 11 gaming mode, which adapts the interface for controller navigation—a useful feature for handheld devices.

Microsoft is currently focused on performance and usability. The early version contains few new features, though navigation should be simpler and the app faster.

At the same time, the company is testing the Bastion interface, which aims to bring the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience closer to that of the Xbox Series X/S consoles.