Microsoft is finally improving Game Bar for gamers using an Xbox Controller on PC
KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — If you’re a gamer on PC, you might be familiar with the Game Bar. By hitting Win+G or, if you have an Xbox controller for PC, hitting the Xbox logo on the controller it’ll bring up the Game bar which lets you do things like control audio and monitor system performance while in game. It’s simple and only really ever useful when you’re already in game, but Microsoft are planning some notable changes to it especially for controller users in particular.
Microsoft are now testing out an early preview of an improved Game Bar called Controller bar. Controller Bar provides an easy and controller-friendly way to access your recently played games as well as your game launchers with just your controller.
Meanwhile, when you are in a game, the Xbox button on your controller will still take you to the regular Game Bar with its widgets along with an additional tab on the left where you’ll find the recently played games and game launchers tucked away.
If you want to try out the new Controller Bar for yourself, it’s sadly still only for Windows Insider users in the time being, with no word just yet on when Microsoft plans to roll it out for stable releases. However, if you are a Windows Insider user running the latest Build 225xx from the Dev and Beta Channel, you can simply download the Xbox Insider Hub from the Microsoft Store and access the Previews tab in the app.