Life is best in 2023 for players on Apple macOS and even Linux, because of the Steam Deck’s sizzling arrival, however Windows stays the perfect PC working system for video games.
Microsoft is conscious about this benefit, and in consequence, it has bundled loads of gaming options into Windows through the years—on Windows 11, there are much more gaming goodies. Here are the Windows 11 options that may make your subsequent late-night frag session even higher.
Game Bar
Windows 11 Game Bar.
Ryan Whitwam
Windows 11 ships with the Game Bar preloaded, providing you with fast entry to some helpful instruments with a easy keystroke. You can open the Game Bar at any time (even in case you’re not taking part in a sport) by urgent Win + G. If you’ve got an Xbox controller paired along with your PC, tapping the Xbox button will do the identical.
The Game Bar is an overlay with widgets that show you how to seize gameplay footage, management audio output, monitor PC efficiency, and extra. In the settings, you may even log in to your social media accounts for immediate sharing of your captured photographs and clips.
DirectStorage
If you’ve got a sufficiently highly effective PC, Microsoft has devised a manner your {hardware} can talk extra effectively, which implies a lot quicker loading instances in video games. It’s known as DirectStorage, and also you don’t should do something to show it on. You do, nonetheless, have to hit sure {hardware} specs that may necessitate an improve.
Windows 11 DirectStorage.
Ryan Whitwam
DirectStorage permits your laptop’s storage (the place sport knowledge lives) to speak immediately with the GPU. This cuts out the CPU decompression step that almost all methods require, eliminating a significant efficiency bottleneck. Games with DirectX 12 can reap the benefits of DirectStorage so long as your PC has an NVMe SSD and a compatible graphics card. Any fashionable Radeon or GeForce GPU ought to do the trick.
If you aren’t positive whether or not your system can deal with DirectStorage, yow will discover out within the beforehand talked about Game Bar. Click the settings gear, after which choose Gaming Features. This web page will let you know in case your software program, GPU, and SSD are suitable. Currently, the one sport suitable with DirectStorage is Forspoken, whereas Nvidia’s Portal RTX contains comparable RTX IO expertise, however extra are coming.
Auto HDR
Windows 11 Auto HDR.
Ryan Whitwam
Games that help HDR (excessive dynamic vary) can produce extra vibrant, practical colours. However, it has solely been widespread for builders to incorporate HDR help in the previous couple of years. If you’re taking part in a sport that doesn’t help HDR, Windows 11 can nonetheless pump up the colours with a function known as Auto HDR.
The catch right here is that you simply’ll want a monitor able to HDR, and people are normally costlier than normal panels. If you’ve got a suitable monitor, Windows can algorithmically improve non-HDR video games on the fly. This occurs on the OS stage, so builders don’t have to do something. To allow Auto HDR, go to Settings > System > Display > HDR. If your monitor is supported, you’ll be capable of flip on Auto HDR. This may also add an HDR depth slider to the Game Bar.
Further studying: The best gaming monitors (including HDR options)
Game Mode
There’s nothing worse than watching your silky easy sport drop frames as a result of one thing in your PC determined it was time to run a heavy operation within the background. If your PC is already struggling to take care of body charges, this could make a sport unplayable. Windows 11 has a solution to cease that, and it’s known as Game Mode.
Windows 11 Game Mode.
Ryan Whitwam
You’ll discover this function underneath Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. It’s a single toggle, and there are not any particular {hardware} necessities. Flip it on, and Windows is not going to attempt to obtain or set up updates within the background, and apps that use the Windows notification system gained’t interrupt your sport. Game Mode swings into motion robotically when Windows detects you’re working a sport.
Here’s an explainer on how to fine-tune Windows Gaming Mode for the perfect outcomes, and a deep-dive into how Windows Game Mode makes unplayable games playable — sometimes.
Windows 11 Game widget retailer.
Ryan Whitwam
The Game Bar has loads of performance if you first open it, however it’s extra customizable than you assume. Tucked away within the menus is a widget retailer the place you may get extra objects on your overlay. It’s within the widget checklist, which is the far-left button in the primary bar. At the very backside, you’ll discover the widget retailer.
Most of what you’ll discover within the retailer is free, however there are just a few paid widgets, in addition to overlays that connect with paid desktop apps. The retailer has widgets that may add floating YouTube movies, insert an ethically doubtful crosshair to your display for no-scope sniping, and extra. You’ll additionally discover devoted widgets for {hardware} like EVGA video playing cards and Corsair coolers.
Xbox app
Windows 11 Xbox app.
Ryan Whitwam
Microsoft’s Xbox app is bundled with Windows 11, and it’s value opening even in case you don’t have an Xbox. It lets you buy PC video games like Cuphead, Destiny 2, and Minecraft, however it’s greater than a Steam substitute with a poorer catalog. It additionally serves because the hub of Microsoft Game Pass on the PC.
Game Pass is a subscription service that makes a wide array of video games obtainable at no further cost. You can set up and play them for so long as they’re on Game Pass, and Microsoft has bought publishers like Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard to make sure there’s lots to play. Even in case you don’t have a flowery GPU, the Xbox app may also help you get your sport on. Game Pass Ultimate (the $17-per-month tier) contains Cloud Gaming, which renders Xbox video games on a server and streams them to your laptop. The choice right here isn’t particularly broad, however you’ve received Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Doom Eternal, and extra console hits — together with Bethesda’s Starfield. So, regardless of the way you get your gaming repair, Windows 11 ought to have one thing to assist make the expertise higher.
Further studying: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tip: Get 2 years of access for dirt cheap