The Xbox app on Windows has been going through major transformations for some time now as Microsoft expands the software to work better on handheld gaming systems. Last year, the app became a universal launcher for third-party games and even other storefronts.
Now, there is another upgrade being tested, and it"s a feature that Steam users have had for many years: adding third-party games and apps into the launcher.
Spotted by PureXbox, the preview version of the Xbox app now sports a plus symbol in its My Library tab. Clicking it will open up a new window that allows Windows users to add any program to their Xbox library and launch it.
The window has a quick list of applications it deems valid, but if the game or software you require isn"t available there, clicking the Browse button will open the file explorer. Here, both ".exe" and ".cmd" files can be selected to add to the launcher"s library manually.
The added application will then move to the My Library tab as an unofficial "game". Clicking on it will offer the options "Play", "Remove from library", and "Edit". The last option offers even more customization. The user can change the location of the app, its display name, the display artwork, and even add optional command-line arguments.
This already sounds like a good feature for handheld players (like the ROG Xbox Ally), letting them stay in the Xbox Full-Screen Experience mode even more than before after configuring any custom apps they require. Don"t forget that the mode is also coming to all Windows 11 PCs starting this April, which may be another target audience that"s aiming to reduce bloat and get a gaming-focused machine.
The custom .exe adding feature on the Xbox launcher is currently in the preview version of the app. Microsoft is yet to announce the feature officially, so it"s unclear when it will roll out to all users.