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Hey, Gamers: Don't Overlook these Killer Windows 11 Tools

It's a better time for gamers on Apple macOS and Linux however Windows remains the best PC operating system for games. Microsoft is acutely aware of this advantage and, as a result it has integrated a lot of gaming features into Windows over the years-on Windows 11 There are even more gaming goodies. These are the Windows 11 features that will make your next flutter session more enjoyable.



Game Bar



Windows 11 Game Bar.



Windows 11 ships with the Game Bar preloaded, giving you quick access to some useful tools by a single keystroke. You can access the Game Bar at any time (even even if you're not playing any game) by pressing Win + G. If you own an Xbox controller paired with your PC, pressing the Xbox button will also open the Game Bar.



The Game Bar is an overlay with widgets that let you capture video footage of your gaming, control audio output and monitor PC performance and much more. You can log in to your social networks accounts from the settings and share your photos and videos immediately.



DirectStorage



Microsoft has created a way for your hardware to communicate more efficiently with each other, which could result in improved performance in games. DirectStorage is an application that doesn't need you to do anything other than turn it on. Johnfladung.Net However, you will be required to meet certain hardware requirements that might require an upgrade.



DirectStorage for Windows 11



DirectStorage lets your computer's storage (where game data lives) to directly connect to the GPU. This will eliminate the requirement for CPU decompression which is a major bottleneck in performance. Games that use DirectX 12 can take advantage of DirectStorage as long as your PC has an NVMe SSD and a compatible GPU. Any AMD RDNA2 card or Nvidia RTX 2000-series or later should work.



DirectStorage can be managed by your system in case you aren't sure. Select the settings menu, and then select Gaming Features. This page will inform you whether your gaming software or GPU, as well as SSD are compatible.



Auto HDR



Windows 11 Auto HDR.



Games that include HDR (high dynamic range) can produce more vibrant realistic colors. However, it has only been common for developers to add HDR support in the past few years. Windows 11 has an Auto HDR feature that allows you to boost the hue of games that don't support HDR.



This is because HDR monitors are more expensive than standard panels. Windows can enhance algorithmically non HDR games if you have an HDR compatible monitor. This occurs at the OS level so developers don’t have to do anything. Go to Settings > System > HDR. If your monitor is compatible by Auto HDR, you can switch on Auto HDR. This will also include an HDR intensity slider to the Game Bar.



Game Mode



There's nothing more frustrating than watching your game's smooth and silky smooth frames because something on your PC decided that it was time to run a heavy operation in the background. A game can become unplayable if it is struggling to maintain frame rates. Game Mode is a feature of Windows 11 that can stop this.



Windows 11 Game Mode.



This feature is available under Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. This toggle is a single one and does not require any special hardware. Flip it on, and Windows will not attempt to download or install updates in the background, and applications that utilize the Windows notification system won't interfere with your game. When Windows detects that you are playing an online game Game Mode will kick in automatically.



Game widget store



Windows 11 Game widget store.



The Game Bar has plenty of functionality when you first open it, but it's also more customizable than you imagine. Hidden in the menus is a widget store where you can get more items to add to your overlay. It's found in the widget list, which is located on the leftmost button on the main bar. The widget store is located at the bottom.



The majority of what you'll find in the store is free, however, there are some paid widgets, as well as overlays that connect to desktop applications that are paid. You can add floating YouTube videos to your screen, or add an ethically questionable crosshair to your screen, and a myriad of other widgets. There are also dedicated widgets for hardware such as EVGA video cards and Corsair coolers.



Xbox app



Windows 11 Xbox app.



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Microsoft's Xbox app comes with Windows 11. It's worth opening even though you don't own an Xbox. It lets you purchase PC games such as Cuphead, Destiny 2, and Minecraft but it's much more than just a Steam replacement that has a lower catalog. It also serves as the hub for Microsoft Game Pass on the PC.



Game Pass is an subscription service that gives you access to an array of games at no cost. You can download and play these games for as long as they're available on Game Pass, and Microsoft has bought publishers such as Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard to ensure that there's plenty to play. Even if your graphics card is not the best it's possible that the Xbox application will allow you to play your favorite games. Game Pass Ultimate, a $15 per month tier, features Cloud Gaming. This renders Xbox games on a remote server and streams them to your PC. The games available here aren't particularly large, but you can get Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Doom Eternal, and more console-based games. So, no matter the method you choose to get your gaming fix, Windows 11 should have something to help make the experience more enjoyable.


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