There is great news for Xbox gamers! Microsoft recently introduced new customization options for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One users to make the home screen more personal, attractive, and user-friendly. As shared on Xbox Wire, the new update has been rolled out for Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead Xbox Insiders (users selected for early testing under the Xbox Insider program) right now, but soon all users will get these features. If you also want to make your Xbox home screen clutter-free and better suited to your gaming style, then this home screen personalization update will prove to be very useful for you.
Table of Contents
1. Hide system apps – Prioritize games
Have you ever noticed that system apps like Microsoft Edge, Settings, or Store appear along with your favorite games in the “Recently Played” list on the Xbox home screen? This has been a hassle for many gamers, as it makes it difficult to access your games immediately. In the new update, you can now remove these system apps from the home screen.
How to do?
- Go to the Xbox home screen and go to Settings and select the “Personalization” option.
- There you will find the option to “Hide System Apps”. Once you turn it on, all non-essential apps will disappear from the “Recently Played” section.
- Now your home screen will only show your games and installed apps, making navigation faster and easier.
User experience: Many insiders tested this feature and found that it improved their gaming experience a lot. A user shared on Reddit that earlier he used to scroll through several tiles before opening Call of Duty and Forza Horizon 5, but now he is able to access the games directly.
2. Pin favorite games and apps to the home screen
If you play the same game every day, such as Fortnite, Call of Duty, or FIFA, then the new “Pin Favorites to Home” feature will be very useful for you. Through this, you can pin your top 3 games or apps to the home screen, so that they are always easily accessible and you can get quick access!
How to do it?
- Go to the home screen and right-click on your favorite game in the “Recently Played” section (or press the ‘Start’ button).
- Select the “Pin to Home” option. The game will now appear as a large tile on your home screen.
- You can pin up to 3 items, which will be customized according to your gaming habits.
User feedback: Xbox Insider Program members have praised the feature. One user wrote on Twitter that he now has direct access to Game Pass and Rainbow Six Siege without any delay, making his gaming sessions even smoother.
3. Reduce the number of home screen tiles (coming soon)
The Xbox home screen can sometimes feel too cluttered – full of games, apps, promotional tiles, and recommendations. If you prefer a clean and minimalistic interface, the “Reduce Tile Count” feature coming soon will help you.
What will be the benefit?
- With this feature, you will be able to reduce the number of tiles appearing on the home screen.
- This will be better for those users who want to focus only on their games and important apps, without any unnecessary ads or suggestions.
- The exact implementation details have not been given yet, but Xbox Insiders are expected to get a test version soon.
When will this update be available?
This new feature is currently available to Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead Insiders, but Microsoft will soon roll it out to all Xbox users. If you want to try these features early, you can join the Insider program through the Xbox Insider Hub app. However, there is an invite-only system for the Alpha tier, so you may have to join the Beta or Delta ring.
This new update of Xbox is a big step for gamers. These new home screen customization options not only make the interface cleaner but also make gaming faster and more personal. If you want to customize your Xbox the way you want, then wait for this update or you can also share experience on @XboxInsider.
So, what feature are you waiting for? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to share it with others!
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