Key Takeaways
- Microsoft is testing a redesigned Xbox PC app codenamed Garrison.
- The new app promises faster loading and better controller support.
- It combines game listings with store pages for a simpler interface.
Microsoft is reportedly testing a major redesign of the Xbox PC app, with a focus on performance and user experience. The rebuilt app, codenamed Garrison, is currently being tested in an early form.
One of the biggest improvements appears to be performance. Windows Central’s Jez Corden tested an early build with a library containing over 1,400 games and reported significantly faster loading and navigation compared with the current Xbox PC app.
The new app also reorganizes how games are displayed. The current Xbox PC app separates game listings from their individual store pages. In the redesigned version, Microsoft reportedly combines the two into a single interface, reducing the number of pages users need to open when browsing games, checking details or managing purchases.
Screenshots shared separately by The Verge’s Tom Warren also show a cleaner layout, while Warren said performance is noticeably better than in the existing app. Microsoft is also making it clearer whether a game can be installed locally or is only available through Xbox Cloud Gaming, which should make large libraries easier to understand.
The redesigned Xbox PC app supports both mouse-and-keyboard and controller navigation. The interface can automatically adjust its scaling when used with a controller, making it better suited to gaming handhelds and living-room setups. Users will reportedly also be able to set the Xbox app as the default home interface when entering Windows 11’s new gaming-focused mode.
While the current overhaul appears to focus mainly on speed, navigation, and usability, Microsoft still trails Steam in areas such as community features, user reviews, developer interaction, and store discovery. Those areas are not said to be major parts of the current Garrison build.
Microsoft has not announced an official release date for the redesigned Xbox PC app. However, the new version could reportedly reach Xbox Insiders in the coming weeks, potentially before the end of 2026.
