Just making the cutoff for the month, the Xbox team has rolled out its July update, delivering a suite of meaningful improvements primarily focused on enriching the PC gaming experience. The update introduces powerful new ways for players to access and enjoy their libraries, most notably by integrating cloud streaming for owned games directly into the Xbox PC app, finally.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s new:
Stream Your Owned Games on PC
The headline feature for this update is one that keen-eyed Xbox Insiders will already be familiar with. After months of testing and refinement within the Insider program, the ability to stream owned games is now officially rolling out to all Game Pass Ultimate members.
This is a true game-changer. You can now stream over 250 games that you already own directly through the Xbox app on PC, letting you jump into your favorite titles instantly without touching your hard drive space. Crucially, this new feature also brings previously console-only games to your PC via the cloud. If you own a title that wasn’t available on the PC app, you can now stream it, further breaking down the barriers between your console and PC libraries.
Seamlessly Continue Your Game Anywhere
Say goodbye to losing your spot when switching devices. The July update introduces a unified play history, allowing you to seamlessly pick up right where you left off, no matter where you were playing last. Start a game on your console, continue it on your PC via the cloud, and your progress will be waiting for you. This cross-device continuity makes playing across the Xbox ecosystem smoother than ever.
Celebrating Accessibility and Disability Pride
Timed perfectly with Disability Pride Month, Xbox is rolling out its Accessible Games Initiative tags across all digital storefronts. This new, standardized set of tags was created in partnership with the ESA and other industry leaders to provide clear and consistent information about accessibility features in games. Now, players can more easily filter and find games with features like “Large & Clear Subtitles,” “Narrated Menus,” and more, helping the over 429 million players with disabilities find their next great game.
New Dynamic Background for Consoles
Personalize your dashboard with a new dynamic background! This month’s update includes a new option for Xbox Series X|S users, allowing for even more customization of your home screen. Head to Settings > General > Personalization > My Background > Dynamic Backgrounds to check out the latest design and give your console a fresh look.
More Retro Classics Arrive on Game Pass
The nostalgia trip continues as seven more games have been added to the Retro Classics collection, which is available to all Game Pass members. Fire up the app and get ready to experience some iconic titles from the past. The latest additions include:
- Caesar (Amiga)
- Conquests of Camelot: The Search for the Grail (Amiga)
- Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers (MS-DOS)
- Hard Head (Atari 2600)
- Okie Dokie (Atari 2600)
- Skate Boardin’ (Atari 2600)
- Skeleton+ (Atari 2600)
Earn Rewards While You Play on PC
After a significant overhaul that saw Microsoft retire the dedicated Rewards app on console earlier this year, the company has finally delivered on its promise of a new, more integrated system. This July update formally introduces that new vision by building the rewards system directly into the Xbox PC app.
For players who were left in limbo by the removal of the old app and the end of popular features like the weekly streak, this is a welcome, if long-overdue, development. You can now easily track and earn Microsoft Rewards points directly from the app on your PC simply by playing games. It’s a more streamlined approach that aims to reward players for the time they’re already spending in their favorite titles.
While it arrived in the final days of the month, the Xbox July Update proves to be a significant one, especially for those who split their time between console and PC. By focusing on cloud integration and continuity, Xbox continues to blur the lines between platforms, making it easier than ever for gamers to play the games they want, wherever they want.
