Xbox PC app will now download games faster
Microsoft is testing a new Xbox download client designed to improve game installation and update speeds. The feature appears in console preview build 2608.260719-2200, which reached the Alpha ring on July 22 and Beta and Delta testers one day later.
Shortly after a download begins, the client checks the content server pools available for the game or update. It tests the connection speed to each pool and selects the fastest option for the transfer.
it looks like Xbox game download speeds are going to improve soon, thanks to this new dashboard feature pic.twitter.com/K3e3I57xsn
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) July 26, 2026
Xbox will repeat the test during downloads
The speed test does not run only once. Xbox will periodically check the available server pools during the installation and continue using the fastest connection it can find.
This can help when the performance of a content delivery server changes during a large download. It does not increase the speed of the user’s internet connection. Downloads can also remain limited by storage writes or the time needed to unpack game data.
© Jez Corden/WindowsCentral Windows Central reports that an Xbox Ally X reached its full 250 Mb/s connection speed while downloading games after the change appeared. Microsoft’s notes describe the feature as a console update, so it is not yet confirmed whether the Xbox app for Windows is using the same client. The preview build also includes a fix for some game and app updates that could not complete installation.
Microsoft has not announced when the smart download client will become available through the stable Xbox system software.
Source: Xbox , Windows Central
