Microsoft has begun rolling out five new Xbox console improvements to selected members of the Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha rings of the Xbox Insider programme.
The update, announced by Xbox on 19 August, introduces greater control over the Xbox Home screen, improved local save management, more informative profile badges and automatic wishlist housekeeping. Pure Xbox highlighted the five-part rollout shortly after Microsoft detailed the changes.
Most features are initially being released through the two Alpha testing rings, although Microsoft says selected improvements are available more widely from today.
Xbox Home gains new customisation controls
Players can now remove individual items from the Recent Games and Apps section at the top of the Xbox Home screen.
This includes the Play History tile, giving users greater control over which games and applications remain visible on their dashboard.
Microsoft is also testing an immersive background mode. Pressing the right thumbstick while viewing Home fades away the interface, allowing a dynamic or custom background to fill the screen without menus and promotional tiles covering it.
Pressing another button restores the normal Home interface.
Local Xbox saves become easier to manage
The most practically useful addition could be the new local game-save manager.
Xbox consoles automatically back up compatible game saves to the Xbox network, but the local storage allocated to save data can occasionally become full. Until now, identifying which files were using that space has not always been straightforward.
The new menu allows players to view, sort and delete local saves that are not currently in use. Individual files can be removed, or all unused local saves can be cleared together.
The feature can be found under:
Settings > System > Storage > Manage local game saves
Microsoft says the latest cloud-backed saves will remain stored on the Xbox network and automatically synchronise when the relevant game is launched again.
Profile badges receive more detailed information
Xbox profile badges are also becoming more informative.
Selecting a badge will display high-resolution artwork alongside details explaining when and how it was unlocked. This applies both to badges displayed on the player’s own profile and those belonging to other Xbox users.
The change should make previously unexplained anniversary, participation and achievement badges considerably easier to understand.
Original Xbox One players receive a Day One badge
Microsoft is introducing a commemorative profile badge for players who unlocked the Xbox One “Day One” achievement when the console launched on 22 November 2013.
Eligibility is linked specifically to the original achievement rather than simply having owned an Xbox One during its launch period.
The addition forms part of Microsoft’s wider celebration of 25 years of Xbox and gives long-standing players another way to display their history with the platform.
Purchased games will leave wishlists automatically
Xbox wishlists are receiving a smaller but welcome improvement.
When a player buys a wishlisted game, it will now be removed from the list automatically. This eliminates the need to manually clear purchased titles and should make longer wishlists easier to maintain.
When will everyone receive the new Xbox features?
Microsoft has not confirmed a date for the complete public rollout.
Most of the features are initially being tested by Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha members. They are expected to move through additional Xbox Insider rings before becoming available to the wider Xbox community.
As with any preview software, availability may vary between consoles and features can be adjusted in response to tester feedback. Tech Torque Media has access to the Xbox Alpha ring and will assess the update on Xbox Series X as the features reach the test console.
The rollout follows a separate mandatory Xbox licensing update and continues Microsoft’s recent programme of console-level refinements. For a broader view of the current hardware experience, see Tech Torque Media’s Xbox Series X long-term review.
Tech Torque Verdict
This is not a complete reinvention of the Xbox interface, but it represents another useful collection of quality-of-life improvements.
Local save management is the most important addition, while the immersive dashboard view and automatic wishlist removal provide welcome everyday refinements.
The Day One badge is also a fitting addition during Xbox’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, particularly for players who have remained with the platform since the Xbox One launch.
