Xbox Series X is getting another awesome feature that will be completely overlooked
Microsoft is fixing one of the biggest issues with modern gaming in a new Xbox update
đ A new Xbox Series X feature is available to Insiders now
đ Itâll let you install game updates before they release
đŽ It means you might never have to wait for an update again
đ˘ Itâs yet another great Xbox feature that will get little to no attention
Microsoft may be finding a way to shoot itself in the foot at every opportunity recently, but itâs just quietly revealed a new Xbox Series X feature that addresses one of the biggest problems with modern-day gaming: waiting for updates.
The sad thing is, itâll probably go completely under the radar for the majority of people. Microsoft doesnât do a great job at highlighting the strengths of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, with game-changing features like Quick Resume barely known to anyone who doesnât already own the console.
Quick Resume lets you suspend and resume several titles, meaning you can switch between games almost instantly and return to where you left off in a momentâs notice. Itâs one of the most next-gen features Iâve used, and something that I miss whenever Iâm playing on PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.
Microsoft also doesnât talk much about Auto HDR, FPS Boost, Dolby Vision and Atmos gaming support and the controllerâs long overlooked Impulse Triggers, which all help to differentiate the Xbox Series X and S from the PS5. Again, itâs unlikley that many consumers will even know they exist.
But the new Xbox Series X feature called âUpdate Pre-Downloadâ should be celebrated. It lets supported games download updates days before they are scheduled to release, so you can jjump in and start playing right when the update goes live. No more waiting around.
To enable âUpdate Pre-Downloadâ, go to âMy games & appsâ > âManageâ > âUpdatesâ. The first title to enable this feature is the Sea of Thieves Insider program, which should make testing new additions to Rareâs popular pirate live service game much smoother than before.
You might be thinking that the Xbox consoles already pre-installs game updates, and they do if your console is rest mode and youâve recently played that game. However, you still have to wait for the update to actually release before that happens, and that can often occur when youâre playing a title or when the console isnât in rest mode. Ultimately, it means you tend to find yourself sitting around and twiddling your thumbs as the update installs.
The new âUpdate Pre-Downloadâ feature could potentially make it so youâre never waiting for an update to install again, which would be a revolutionary quality of life feature that other consoles canât offer.
But alas, itâs likely that few people will notice. While Sony continues to hammer on about the uniqueness of the DualSense controller and its proprietary 3D audio with every new release, Microsoft is unlikely to shout about this latest innovation from the rooftops, when it really should.
The âUpdate Pre-Downloadâ feature is rolling out to Alpha Xbox Insiders now, but expect it to roll out globally in the coming months once its been thoroughly vetted.
Adam Vjestica is The Shortcutâs Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadarâs Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.