Xbox has revealed that it is testing a feature on its PC app that allows users to access third-party launchers, such as Battle.net and GOG Galaxy, directly from Microsoft's own app on supported Windows 11 devices. Xbox stated that the feature is now available for Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview program to test and provide feedback.
The Xbox PC app for Windows grants users access to games purchased within Microsoft's ecosystem, alongside a growing selection of PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate titles, including Herdling and the upcoming Gears of War: Reloaded. The Xbox PC app also supports titles that are part of the Xbox Play Anywhere program, and can also act as a launcher for Xbox Cloud Gaming titles available to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Feature updates to the Xbox app are also added over time, along with a PC Gaming Preview program that users can register for and test out upcoming changes before public release.
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Xbox's PC App Can Soon Install And Launch Third-Party Apps
Less than two months before the ROG Xbox Ally handheld lineup hits store shelves, Xbox users have a chance to test out an upcoming feature. According to Microsoft, the Xbox PC app will receive an update that adds a new section to the Library pane called "My Apps," which allows popular applications to be installed and launched directly from the Xbox PC app. The update is now available for Xbox Insiders to try out as part of the PC Gaming Preview program. The new pane will appear between the "My games" and "Play later" sections in the Library, and a limited selection of applications is now available to test out. The three apps shown in Microsoft's post are Battle.net, Microsoft Edge, and GOG Galaxy.
Microsoft stated that the new apps tab in the Xbox PC app was made with the intent of making games on Windows 11 handheld devices like the ROG Xbox Ally easier to access and manage. While GOG Galaxy and Battle.net were the only third-party apps shown in Microsoft's example, the My Apps page will be updated over time to support other storefronts. Whether this includes other popular PC storefronts like Steam or the Epic Games Store remains to be seen.
However, Microsoft has not stated when the Xbox PC app update will be publicly launched. Given that Windows 11 has overtaken its predecessors as the most-used Microsoft operating system in 2025, only time will tell how much the Xbox PC app will be utilized once the update hits mainstream users.
- Date Founded
- April 4, 1975
- Headquarters
- Redmond, Washington, United States
- CEO
- Satya Nadella
- Subsidiaries
- activision blizzard, Microsoft Studios, Mojang Studios, Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox Game Studios
- Consoles
- Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series X|S
- Services
- Xbox Game Pass
- Known For
- Xbox