Notes

Hey Gamers: Don't Get Lost in these Killer Windows 11 Tools

It's a better time for gamers on Apple macOS and even Linux but Windows remains the best PC operating system for games. Microsoft is acutely aware of this, and as a result it has added a variety of gaming features into Windows over the years. With Windows 11 There are more gaming features. Here are the Windows 11 features that will make your next gaming session even more enjoyable.



Game Bar



Windows 11 Game Bar



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



The Game Bar overlay includes widgets that allow you to capture gameplay footage, control audio output and monitor your PC's performance. In the settings, you can connect to your social media accounts for immediate sharing of your captured footage and images.



DirectStorage



If you own a powerful computer, Microsoft has devised a method to make your hardware communicate more efficiently, leading to improved performance in games. DirectStorage is an application that doesn't need you to do anything other than turn it on. However, you will need to hit certain hardware specs that might require an upgrade.



Windows 11 DirectStorage.



DirectStorage lets your computer communicate directly with the GPU's storage. This cuts out the CPU decompression step that most systems require, eliminating the major bottleneck in performance. DirectX 12 games can take advantage of DirectStorage, provided your PC has an NVMe SD and a compatible GPU. Any AMD RDNA2 card and Nvidia RTX 2000-series or later should work.



DirectStorage can be handled by your system if are unsure. Click the settings tab, and then select Gaming Features. This page will let you know if your software, GPU and SSD are compatible.



Auto HDR



Windows 11 Auto HDR.



Games that support HDR (high-dynamic range) can create vivid real-looking colors. Developers have been adding HDR support to their games for the recent years. Windows 11 has an Auto HDR feature which allows you to increase the hue of games that don't support HDR.



The catch here is that you'll require a monitor capable of HDR, and those are typically more expensive than regular panels. If you have a compatible monitor, Windows can algorithmically enhance non-HDR games in real-time. This occurs at the OS level, which means that developers don't need to do anything. To enable Auto HDR go to Settings > System > Display > HDR. Auto HDR will be enabled when your monitor supports it. This will also include an HDR intensity slider to the Game Bar.



Game Mode



There's nothing more annoying than having your game suddenly drop frames because of a background process. If your PC is struggling to keep up with frame rates, this could render a game inaccessible. Windows 11 has a way to prevent this from happening, and it's known as Game Mode.



Windows 11 Game Mode



This feature is located under Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. It's just a single toggle and there are no specific hardware requirements. Flip it on, and Windows will not try to download or install updates in the background, and games that use the Windows notification system won't interrupt your game. Game Mode swings into action automatically when Windows detects that you're playing a game.



Game widget store



Windows 11 Game Widget Store



Although the Game Bar is very functional when it first opens, it's much more customizable than you think. In the menus is a widget store, where you can buy more widgets for your overlay. It's located in the widget list (the left-most button on the main bar). In the very bottom, you'll find the widget store.



The majority of the content in the store is free, however, there are a few paid widgets, as well as overlays that can be connected to desktop apps that are paid. You can add floating YouTube videos to your screen, 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.
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Xbox app



Windows 11 Xbox app.



Ryan Whitwam



Microsoft's Xbox application is available with Windows 11, and it's worth downloading even if don't own an Xbox. It lets you purchase PC games like Cuphead, Destiny 2, and Minecraft however it's more than just a Steam replacement that has a lower catalogue. It also functions as the hub for Microsoft Game Pass on the PC.



Game Pass is a subscription service that offers an array of games at no additional cost. You can install and play these games for as long as they're on Game Pass, and Microsoft has purchased publishers like Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard in order to provide plenty of games to play. Even if you don't have a fancy GPU and don't have a fancy gaming console, the Xbox app can help to get your game going. Game Pass Ultimate (the $15-per-month price point) includes Cloud Gaming, which renders Xbox games on a server and then streams them to your PC. While the games aren't as extensive however, you can get Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 on this tier. So, regardless of what method you use to are able to get your gaming fix, Windows 11 should have something that will make your experience better.


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