Microsoft starts testing new Xbox features without requiring full OS updates

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Published onJanuary 21, 2021

published onJanuary 21, 2021

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Microsoft is working improve the Xbox OS without requiring users to to download install full OS updates every time. Xbox Program Manager Brad Rossetti explained the experiment on Twitter, which will begin with asubset of Xbox Insiders in the Omega ring.

“This latest update will allow Team Xbox to flight new experiences for the console such as the Dashboard, Guide and Settings without the need of a full size system update that normally includes stability/perf fixes,” Rossetti explained on Twitter yesterday. This new process for flighting build will hopefully lead to more frequent changes on the Shell and other parts of the Xbox OS, which usually receives new updates almost every month.

Thanks for the Omega build questions – it is 2.00pm PST, as noted this latest update will allow Team Xbox to flight new experiences for the console such as the Dashboard, Guide and Settings without the need of a full size system update that normally includes stability/perf fixes

— Brad Rossetti (@WorkWombatman)January 20, 2021

Overall, this new initiative echoes what the Windows Insider team is also doing on Windows 10. Back in November, the team announced that it would begin shipping new features to Beta channels insidersthrough the Windows Feature Experience Pack, instead of requiring Insiders to install full builds. If this new process has yet to be used extensively on the Windows Insider Beta channel, it’s going to be interesting to see if this new flight process on the Xbox side of things will lead to more impactful changes ont the Xbox OS.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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