Microsoft has started testing a new “My apps” feature within the Xbox app on Windows 11, aiming to simplify the management of PC gaming applications.
The “My apps” feature allows users to install and launch third-party applications directly from the Xbox app, including browsers, gaming utilities, and competing storefronts. This move is designed to bring together gaming-related applications in one place, creating a more unified gaming library experience.
According to Devin Dhaliwal, a product manager for Xbox experiences, the “My apps” tab within the Xbox PC app’s library enables players to “locate, view, and download third-party applications and most commonly used storefronts.” Dhaliwal emphasizes that this feature supports the aggregated gaming library, making it easier to “find, download, and launch games from multiple locations.”
The new feature is particularly beneficial for handheld PCs like the ROG Xbox Ally, as it allows users to navigate between applications more seamlessly from the Xbox full-screen interface. Dhaliwal notes that “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.”
Early testing of the “My apps” view included applications like Battle.net, Chrome, and GOG Galaxy. The Xbox app successfully launched already installed applications like Chrome and Battle.net. However, during testing, the installation of GOG Galaxy through the Xbox app failed.
Currently, Microsoft is testing the feature with a “tailored selection of apps” and plans to expand support to include more applications in the future. This move is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to bring the Windows and Xbox ecosystems closer together, particularly in the realm of handheld gaming PCs. The company reiterated its goal from last year to establish the Xbox app as the central hub for PC gaming.
Microsoft’s integration of Steam, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, and other PC games into a unified library within its Xbox app further underscores this ambition. The “My apps” view is expected to be particularly useful on handheld PCs, reducing the need to interact directly with the Windows desktop interface.
