Microsoft is bringing PC gaming apps and shops to its Xbox app on Windows

Microsoft has began testing one other handheld-friendly addition to its Xbox app, permitting PC players to shortly set up and launch third-party apps like browsers, gaming utilities, and even rival storefronts. A brand new “My apps” characteristic is being examined within the Xbox app for Windows 11, and it appears like one other strategy to keep away from having to launch the primary Microsoft Store or hunt for downloads on-line in case you’re on a gaming PC.

“My apps is a new tab within the Xbox PC app’s library that allows players to locate, view, and download third-party applications and most commonly used storefronts,” explains Devin Dhaliwal, a product supervisor for Xbox experiences. “By consolidating gaming apps in one location, this feature supports the new aggregated gaming library, making it more straightforward to find, download, and launch games from multiple locations.”

Microsoft has already been including Steam, Battle.internet, Ubisoft Connect, and different PC video games into to a unified library inside its Xbox app, however this my apps view shall be helpful on a handheld PC the place you wish to keep away from utilizing the Windows desktop interface as a lot as attainable. “My apps enables players on an ROG Xbox Ally or other Windows 11 handhelds to more easily navigate between applications from the Xbox full screen experience,” says Dhaliwal.

I’ve briefly examined the My apps view right this moment and it lists Battle.internet, Chrome, and GOG Galaxy. I’ve Chrome and Battle.internet put in, so it merely launches these apps, however with GOG Galaxy it tries to obtain and set up the app all throughout the Xbox UI. I say strive as a result of it failed to put in throughout my testing, however it is a beta so there are certain to be bugs.