Title: Microsoft’s new “My Apps” tab in the Xbox app for Windows: what it changes for handheld PCs and every PC gamer
TL;DR
- What it is: “My Apps” is a new tab inside the Xbox app for Windows that aggregates third‑party gaming apps and utilities in one controller‑friendly place. Think storefronts (Steam, Epic, GOG Galaxy, Battle.net), launchers, browsers, and common tools you use to play.
- Who it’s for: Everyone on Windows, but especially owners of Windows 11 handhelds (Asus ROG Ally family, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw, AYANEO/OneXPlayer, etc.) who live in the Xbox app’s full‑screen experience.
- What it does today (as of August 22, 2025): shows a curated set of supported apps; installed items launch directly, uninstalled items present a one‑click “Get”/“Download” path; tuned for smoother navigation and fewer background tasks on handhelds; rolling out first to Xbox Insiders on Windows.
- Why it matters: Windows gaming is fragmented across multiple launchers. “My Apps” brings them together, reduces Alt‑Tab churn, and makes game nights on a couch or handheld genuinely simpler. It also nudges the Xbox app further toward being the home base for PC gaming on Windows.
1) The context: Windows gaming has a “too many launchers” problem
2) What “My Apps” actually is—and what it isn’t
3) Where to find it and how to get it now (Insider build)
4) First‑run walkthrough on a handheld (controller‑only)
5) Day‑one setup checklist for handheld PCs
6) Tips to make “My Apps” shine on popular handhelds
7) Troubleshooting: if you don’t see “My Apps” (or it’s flaky)
8) Performance, battery, and overlays: making everything play nice
9) Security and privacy notes you should actually read
10) How it compares to SteamOS, Armoury Crate SE, and Legion Space
11) What to watch next: the roadmap signals and smart bets
12) FAQ
1) The context: Windows gaming has a “too many launchers” problem
If you’ve gamed on Windows for longer than a weekend, you’ve probably installed more than one of these: Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, EA app, Riot, plus utility layers for controllers, mods, overlays, frame‑rate tools, and streaming. Each brings its own login, update pipeline, and UI conventions. That friction becomes much more obvious when you’re not sitting at a desk.
On a couch with a controller, or gripping a Windows handheld on a train, “just launch the game” often turns into: unlock Windows, hunt the icon, peck into a launcher with a tiny cursor, log in again, click through an update, then finally press Play. Microsoft’s direction over the last 18 months has been to reduce that tax by:
- Expanding the Xbox app’s Library so it surfaces games you own in multiple storefronts.
- Shipping a full‑screen Xbox experience for Windows that’s controller‑first.
- Tightening how Gaming Services, Game Bar, and the Xbox app coordinate.
2) What “My Apps” actually is—and what it isn’t
What it is
- A new tab inside the Xbox app (Windows) under your Library that lists third‑party PC gaming apps and common tools in one place.
- A launcher surface that:
- Launches installed apps directly from the Xbox UI (including in full‑screen mode).
- Offers a streamlined path to install supported apps you don’t yet have.
- Tuned for handhelds: background activity is minimized or deferred so more system resources are reserved for navigation and gameplay; controller focus/targets are sized and spaced for small screens.
- Not a walled garden: it doesn’t replace your existing storefronts or accounts. Steam stays Steam. Epic stays Epic. You still buy, download, and own games in those ecosystems.
- Not a new app store: it’s an aggregator/launcher list with convenience install hooks for supported apps, not a Microsoft‑exclusive catalog.
- Not a hard requirement: if you prefer the desktop‑and‑mouse flow, nothing breaks. “My Apps” simply shortens the path when you’re in the Xbox app.
Availability status on August 22, 2025
- Rollout: Available first to Xbox Insiders on Windows. Wider availability will follow as Microsoft validates stability and expands supported apps.
- Enroll in Xbox Insider (Windows):
1) In the Microsoft Store, install “Xbox Insider Hub.”
2) Open Insider Hub > Previews > Join the PC Gaming or Xbox app on PC preview flight (Beta/Insider channel as offered). - Update the Xbox app:
3) Open Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates; or in the Xbox app, open Settings > About and confirm you’re on the latest Insider version. - Launch the Xbox app:
4) Go to Library; you should see the “My Apps” tab alongside Installed/Owned/etc.
5) If you use the full‑screen Xbox experience, press the View/Menu button to open the left rail and navigate to Library > My Apps.
4) First‑run walkthrough on a handheld (controller‑only)
From the full‑screen Xbox experience on your handheld:
- Open Library > My Apps.
- Browse featured and supported apps. You’ll typically see storefronts (Steam, Epic, GOG Galaxy, Battle.net), a web browser, and popular utilities.
- Press A on an installed app: it launches directly in desktop mode but stays controller‑addressable thanks to the Xbox shell’s focus management.
- Press A on an uninstalled app:
- You’ll see a “Get”/“Download” or “Install” prompt.
- The Xbox app will guide you either through an embedded Microsoft Store flow or trigger the trusted installer.
- After install:
- The app shows as “Installed” under My Apps. Highlight > Menu lets you pin, move, or manage.
- “My Apps” is designed to reduce back‑and‑forth between shells. On handhelds this matters: fewer context switches mean fewer janky focus changes, fewer surprise background updates, and faster “press A, see app” flow.
- Background activity is tuned: the Xbox UI deprioritizes non‑essential tasks so the handheld feels snappier when you’re navigating or playing.
Do these once to make every future session cleaner.
System and app health
- Windows Update: install the latest cumulative update and device drivers (especially chipset/iGPU).
- Microsoft Store: open Library > Get updates (Gaming Services, Xbox, Microsoft Store all current).
- Xbox app (Insider): confirm you’re on the Insider/Beta build that includes “My Apps.”
- Ensure your handheld’s gamepad is exposed as an Xbox controller (most AMD‑based handhelds do this by default).
- In Xbox app full‑screen mode, verify navigation: A = Select, B = Back, Menu = context; stick/d‑pad to move focus.
- Pick a default install drive with ample free space (Settings > System > Storage).
- On battery, set a sensible balance: high performance when plugged, optimized battery when mobile. Handheld control centers (Armoury Crate SE, Legion Space, MSI Center M) can switch TDP/boost profiles per app.
- Under My Apps, install the launchers you actually use (Steam, Epic, GOG Galaxy, Battle.net, etc.).
- Sign in to each once so “open and play” works later without prompts.
- Enable Auto HDR (Windows Settings > Display > HDR) if your panel supports it.
- Configure Game Bar/Xbox overlay shortcuts you actually use (capture, party chat).
- If you stream or record, set encoder preferences (AMD/Intel/NVIDIA) and target bitrates in your capture tool of choice.
Asus ROG Ally family (and similar AMD‑based handhelds)
- Use the device’s control center to bind a quick shortcut to launch the Xbox full‑screen experience.
- Create per‑app power profiles: lighter TDP for launchers/browsers, higher for games.
- If you use overlays (Steam, Rivatuner, vendor overlays), avoid stacking multiple at once; choose one to reduce input conflicts.
- Consider Desktop vs Handheld mode switches before you launch a PC game from Steam/Epic to ensure your joystick mapping stays consistent.
- Pin My Apps to your quick access in the Xbox shell so it’s never more than two presses away.
- Keep Intel Arc graphics and power management drivers current; firmware updates often improve sleep/resume behavior which directly impacts “press button, see game” flow.
- Standardize on one input mapping layer. If you use a third‑party mapper, verify its “exclusive” or “virtual controller” mode doesn’t fight with the Xbox shell’s navigation.
- Install only the launchers you truly need. A smaller “My Apps” list is easier to hit precisely with a stick and reduces background services.
- Periodically open each launcher to let it patch itself, then exit. You’ll avoid surprise “5‑minute update” dialogs right before couch co‑op.
Start here
- Confirm Insider status: open Xbox Insider Hub > Previews > ensure you’re joined to the relevant PC Gaming/Xbox app preview flight.
- Update everything: Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates; then relaunch the Xbox app.
- Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Xbox > Advanced options:
- Try Repair first; if no change, try Reset (you’ll need to sign in again).
- Do the same for Gaming Services if present.
- In the Xbox app: Settings > Sign out; exit; relaunch; sign in.
- Open PowerShell as Administrator:
- Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-appxpackage -allusers
- Start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN (install Gaming Services again)
- Update GPU drivers; restart.
- If your controller isn’t navigating the Xbox full‑screen UI, toggle your device’s “Gamepad/Keyboard” mode switch and relaunch.
- Some Insider waves take time to propagate. Check again later the same day. The tab will appear under Library once the app build and feature flag arrive for your account.
Minimize background load
- Close redundant launchers. If Steam is hosting the session, Epic/GOG/Battle.net don’t need to be resident unless required by the game.
- In each launcher, turn off “start with Windows” and automatic background downloads while on battery.
- Choose one overlay (Steam Overlay, Xbox Game Bar, Afterburner/Rivatuner) and disable the rest during play sessions. Multiple overlays can:
- Fight for controller hotkeys.
- Stack performance graphs and cause focus flicker.
- Add frametime jitter on low‑power handheld profiles.
- Cap frame rate to your panel’s refresh (e.g., 60 Hz) or even 45 FPS on AAA titles while mobile. The perceived smoothness vs. drain trade‑off is often excellent on handhelds.
- Prefer borderless windowed for quicker task transitions between a game and the Xbox shell on small screens.
- “My Apps” launches the same executables you’d launch from the desktop. It does not bypass UAC or security prompts.
- You authenticate in each third‑party launcher exactly as you normally do; your store accounts remain with their providers.
- If you see requests to install browser extensions, driver helpers, or optimizers, slow down and confirm you truly need them. One app’s “performance helper” can destabilize another app’s overlay or input map.
- Keep two‑factor authentication enabled on your gaming storefronts. The Xbox shell doesn’t remove the risk of credential reuse; it just removes clicks.
Goal: one home for gaming on a small screen, without losing the flexibility of Windows.
- SteamOS Gaming Mode (Steam Deck/Deck OLED)
- Strengths: cohesive, fast, designed for controllers, no Windows maintenance tax.
- Limitations on Windows handhelds: N/A (SteamOS isn’t Windows). On pure Deck hardware, non‑Steam launchers take more setup; Proton/Wine compatibility adds a layer.
- Armoury Crate SE (Asus), Legion Space (Lenovo), MSI Center M (MSI)
- Strengths: tight integration with device controls (TDP/fans), vendor store/coupon integration, quick power profile switching.
- Limitations: each is brand‑specific, with differing app catalogs and polish; launcher aggregation varies, and UX can feel bolted on.
- Xbox app “My Apps” (Microsoft)
- Strengths: brand‑agnostic aggregation, deep Xbox/Game Pass integration, unified Library across multiple storefronts, controller‑first navigation in full‑screen mode, tuned background behavior for handheld smoothness.
- Limitations: currently limited to a curated set of apps; still evolving in Insider builds; device‑level TDP/fan controls live outside the Xbox app (you’ll still use your vendor’s control center).
11) What to watch next: the roadmap signals and smart bets
- Broader app support: Expect more storefronts/utilities to be “one‑click install” from within the tab as publishers coordinate with Microsoft.
- Deeper deep links: Today you launch a launcher; tomorrow you may deep‑link to a library, a download queue, or even a specific game page with controller focus ready.
- Controller‑aware installers: The awkward keyboard‑only installer dialogs are ripe for a “guided” layer that keeps you in the couch experience.
- Unified session presence: Launch a non‑Xbox game via Steam from the Xbox shell; friends see presence and can party up without juggling multiple overlays.
- Handheld profiles: Per‑app remembered TDP/refresh caps surfaced in the Xbox experience would be a huge win—expect more vendor + Microsoft coordination here.
- Cloud and remote hooks: One tile to launch the local app; a sub‑action to cloud‑stream the same title if available. It’s the obvious next usability step.
Is “My Apps” replacing Steam/Epic/GOG?
- No. It’s a convenience layer that launches and helps install these apps from within the Xbox experience. You still buy and own games where you prefer.
- No. It’s part of the Xbox app on Windows. Game Pass integrates nicely, but the feature’s value is in aggregating whatever you already use.
- If the tool is in the supported list, you’ll see it; otherwise, you can still run it outside the Xbox shell. As Microsoft expands support, expect more utilities to show up in “My Apps.”
- The intent is the opposite for handhelds: background activity is minimized when you’re navigating or playing. You can also reduce startup/background settings in each launcher you install via My Apps.
- In the full‑screen Xbox experience, use the Menu button on an app tile for pin/reorder options where offered. Expect layout polish to continue during the Insider phase.
- As of Friday, August 22, 2025, “My Apps” is live for Windows users in the Xbox Insider program and includes a curated set of installable/launchable third‑party apps, with more to follow.
- Friday evening:
1) Boot your handheld; long‑press the vendor key to open its control center; choose your “Balanced” power profile.
2) Open the Xbox full‑screen experience; head to Library > My Apps.
3) Install the launchers you actually use (say: Steam, Epic, Battle.net) via the My Apps tiles. Sign in once. - Saturday:
4) From the couch, open My Apps > Steam > Play Dave the Diver, then press the Guide button to open Game Bar and join your party’s voice chat without leaving the game.
5) Later, open My Apps > Battle.net to catch your weekly Diablo IV ritual. No desktop detour required. - Sunday:
6) On battery, cap FPS to 45 in your device control center and turn off background downloads in Steam/Epic. Your session lasts longer, and the UI stays snappy.
If you’re the de facto sysadmin for family game night or the friend group’s handheld guru, you’ve probably spent too much time teaching people which launcher lives where. “My Apps” cuts through that, and because it lives in the same shell as Game Pass and your cross‑network friends list, it makes Windows feel more console‑coherent without taking away the PC’s openness. The Insider‑first release tells us this is a foundation, not a one‑off toggle. The faster Microsoft and partners expand the curated list and polish deep‑links, the more “press A, play game” becomes true on Windows—on the desk, on the couch, and in your hands.
Quick reference: do’s and don’ts
- Do
- Join Xbox Insider if you want it today.
- Keep launchers updated, but disable auto‑start on battery.
- Use one overlay at a time.
- Standardize your per‑app power profiles on the handheld.
- Don’t
- Stack three overlays and then blame the OS for janky focus.
- Leave five launchers running resident if you’re only using one.
- Install every utility “just in case.” Curate ruthlessly for smooth navigation.
Windows didn’t need yet another launcher. It needed a smart way to live with the ones we already have. “My Apps” is exactly that: a simple tab that, on handhelds and big‑screen living rooms alike, makes the whole Windows gaming story feel less like juggling, more like playing.
Source: AInvest Microsoft Introduces 'My Apps' Tab in Xbox PC App for Simplified Access to Gaming Apps on Handhelds
Source: saralnama.in Microsoft Tests 'My Apps' Feature In Xbox App For Windows 11 - Saralnama
