Microsoft is rolling out its April Xbox Update, and the headline changes are aimed at players who want more control over how their Xbox console, Windows PC and handheld setup behaves.
On console, the biggest practical change is a new per-game Quick Resume setting. Players can now disable Quick Resume for individual games, which means those titles will launch fresh instead of trying to resume from a suspended state. Microsoft says the option is available from a game tile in the Quick Resume group via Manage Quick Resume, or from Manage game and add-ons under Quick Resume settings.
That should help with games that can behave unpredictably after long idle sessions, especially always-online releases or multiplayer games that often need a clean reconnect.
The same update also expands Xbox Home customization. Players can now pin up to 10 groups to Home, up from the previous limit of two, with clearer indicators in My games & apps for groups that have already been added. Custom colors are also being introduced, letting players use sliders to create their own console accent color instead of choosing only from preset system options.
Xbox PC app gets more handheld-friendly
The PC side of the update is focused heavily on making the Xbox app work better as a central library, particularly on Windows handhelds.
Players can now manually add installed games or apps to their Xbox library, even if they came from another storefront. Microsoft says those manually added entries can be customized with names, icons and launch options, including mod parameters or special launch commands for more advanced setups.
The Xbox PC app is also adding pinned favorites. Up to three games can be pinned to the Jump back in or Most Recent list, covering installed games, cloud games and other supported titles.
Another new PC feature, Gamepad cursor, turns a controller into a mouse-style pointer. Microsoft says it can be used with any controller through the left stick, making it easier to interact with apps that were not designed around controller input, such as Spotify or Discord. The feature can be enabled from Game Bar settings.
Game Bar notifications can now be repositioned too, giving players more control over where Xbox alerts appear during play.
Mobile alerts, cloud gaming and ROG Xbox Ally updates
The Xbox mobile app is getting wishlist alerts in its Inbox. If a wishlisted game goes on sale, enters Game Pass or becomes available for preorder, the app can now send a message that links directly to the product page.
For Xbox streaming, the update adds user selected resolution and a network quality indicator. Resolution can be chosen before streaming through Console Settings and Cloud Settings, while the network indicator is meant to show lightweight real-time connection health during a stream.
ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X devices are receiving docking improvements for external TVs and displays, support for super wideband stereo voice with compatible LE Audio headsets and Enhanced Vibration. Microsoft also says Auto Super Resolution is now in preview for Xbox Insiders on ROG Xbox Ally X when docked to an external monitor or TV.
The post also notes wider Xbox ecosystem additions. The Handheld Compatibility Program now includes Hades II, Invincible VS, Kiln and Mouse: P.I. For Hire in its latest batch, while Xbox Play Anywhere has passed 1,500 supported games. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential subscribers can now stream more than 1,000 owned games through Stream Your Own Game on supported devices.
Microsoft is also running a Rewards with Xbox Total Prize Drop sweepstakes through May 21, with cash, Xbox Gift Cards and other prizes listed in the official rules.