Life is better in 2022 for gamers on Apple macOS and even Linux, but Windows remains the best PC operating system for games. Microsoft is well aware of this advantage and as a result has bundled plenty of gaming features into Windows over the years – on Windows 11 there are even more gaming goodies. Here are the Windows 11 features that will make your next frag session even better.
Game bar
Windows 11 game bar.
Ryan Whitwam
Windows 11 comes with the Game Bar preloaded, giving you quick access to some useful tools with a simple keystroke. You can access the Game bar at any time (even if you are not playing a game) by pressing Win + G. If you have an Xbox controller paired with your PC, you can do the same by tapping the Xbox button.
The Game Bar is a widget overlay that lets you capture gameplay footage, control audio output, monitor PC performance, and more. In the settings, you can even log into your social media accounts to instantly share your captured images and clips.
Instant Storage
If you have a powerful enough PC, Microsoft has come up with a way to make your hardware communicate more efficiently, which means better performance in games. It’s called DirectStorage and you don’t need to do anything to turn it on. However, you must meet certain hardware specifications that may require an upgrade.
Windows 11 Direct Storage.
Ryan Whitwam
DirectStorage allows your computer’s storage (where the game data resides) to communicate directly with the GPU. This eliminates the CPU decompression step that most systems require, eliminating a major performance issue. Games with DirectX 12 can take advantage of DirectStorage as long as your PC has an NVMe SSD and a compatible GPU. Any AMD RDNA2 cards or Nvidia RTX 2000 series or later should work.
If you’re not sure if your system can handle DirectStorage, you can find out in the aforementioned Game Bar. Click on the settings cog and then select Gaming features. This page tells you if your software, GPU and SSD are compatible.
Automatic HDR
Windows 11 Automatic HDR.
Ryan Whitwam
Games that support HDR (high dynamic range) can produce more vibrant, more realistic colors. However, it has only become common practice for developers to include HDR support in recent years. If you’re playing a game that doesn’t support HDR, Windows 11 can still pump up the colors with a feature called Auto HDR.
The catch here is that you need a monitor capable of HDR, and those tend to be more expensive than standard panels. If you have a compatible monitor, Windows can algorithmically improve non-HDR games. This happens at the OS level, so developers don’t have to do anything. Go to Settings > System > Display > HDR to enable Auto HDR. If your monitor is supported, you can enable Auto HDR. This will also add an HDR Intensity slider to the Game bar.
Game Mode
There’s nothing worse than watching your silky smooth game drop frames because something on your PC decided it was time to run some heavy operation in the background. If your PC is already struggling to maintain frame rates, it can make a game unplayable. Windows 11 has a way to stop that, and it’s called Game Mode.
Windows 11 game mode.
Ryan Whitwam
You can find this feature under Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. It is a single switch and there are no specific hardware requirements. Turn it on and Windows won’t try to download or install updates in the background, and apps that use the Windows notification system won’t interrupt your game. Game Mode automatically springs into action when Windows detects that you are playing a game.
Windows 11 Game widget store.
Ryan Whitwam
The Game Bar has a lot of functionality when you first open it, but it’s more customizable than you think. Tucked away in the menus is a widget store where you can get more items for your overlay. It’s in the widget loop, the far left button in the main bar. At the very bottom you will find the widget store.
Most of what you find in the store is free, but there are a few paid widgets, as well as overlays that connect to paid desktop apps. The store has widgets that can add floating YouTube videos, put an ethically questionable visor on your screen for out of reach sniping, and more. You’ll also find dedicated widgets for hardware such as EVGA graphics cards and Corsair coolers.
Xbox app
Windows 11 Xbox app.
Ryan Whitwam
Microsoft’s Xbox app is bundled with Windows 11 and it’s worth opening even if you don’t have an Xbox. It allows you to buy PC games such as: cup, Lot 2and Minecraft, but it’s more than a Steam replacement with a worse catalog. It also serves as the hub of Microsoft Game Pass on the PC.
Game Pass is a subscription service that provides a wide selection of games at no additional cost. You can install and play them as long as they’re on Game Pass, and Microsoft has bought publishers like Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard to make sure there’s plenty to play. Even if you don’t have a nice GPU, the Xbox app can help you get your game going. Game Pass Ultimate (the $15 per month tier) includes Cloud Gaming, which displays Xbox games on a server and streams them to your computer. The selection here is not particularly wide, but you have Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Eternal doom, and more console hits. So, however you get your gaming fix, Windows 11 should have it something to improve the experience.
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