p>Life is better in 2022 for gamers running Apple macOS and Linux, but Windows remains the best PC operating system for games. Microsoft is acutely aware of this fact and as a consequence it has added a variety of gaming features into Windows in the past. As time passes, with Windows 11 and Windows 11, there are even more gaming goodies. Here are the Windows 11 features that will make your next gaming session even better.
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p>Game Bar
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p>Windows 11 Game Bar
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p>Windows 11 comes preloaded with the Game Bar. This allows you to access useful tools by pressing a single keystroke. The Game Bar can be opened at any time even when you're not playing an online game. You can do this by pressing Win +G. If your Xbox controller is linked to your computer, simply tap the Xbox button.
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p>The Game Bar overlay includes widgets that allow you to record gameplay footage control audio output, and monitor the performance of your PC. In the settings, you can connect to your social media accounts for immediate sharing of your recorded footage and images.
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p>DirectStorage?
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p>If you have a sufficiently powerful PC, Microsoft has devised a method to make your hardware communicate more efficiently, leading to better performance in games. DirectStorage? is a program that doesn't require you to do anything other than turn it on. However, you do need to hit certain specifications for your hardware that may necessitate an upgrade.
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p>Windows 11 DirectStorage?.
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p>DirectStorage? allows your computer to directly connect to the GPU's storage. This eliminates the CPU decompression step that many systems require, which eliminates an important performance bottleneck. DirectX 12 games can take advantage of DirectStorage?, provided your PC has an NVMe SD and an appropriate GPU. Any AMD RDNA2 card and Nvidia RTX 2000-series or later should work.
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p>DirectStorage? can be managed by your system if you are unsure. Select the settings gear and then select Gaming Features. This page will tell whether your gaming software, GPU and SSD are compatible.
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p>Auto HDR
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p>Windows 11 Auto HDR.
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p>Games that support HDR (high dynamic range) can create more vivid realistic colors. Developers have added HDR support to their games for the past few years. If you're playing a game which doesn't support HDR, Windows 11 can nevertheless boost the colors with a feature known as Auto HDR.
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p>This is due to the fact that HDR monitors are more expensive than conventional panels. Windows can use algorithms to enhance non HDR games if you have a compatible monitor. https://minecraftservers.quest/ This happens at the OS level so developers don∏t need to do anything. Go to Settings > System > HDR. If your monitor supports by Auto HDR, you can turn on Auto HDR. This will include an HDR intensity slider to the Game Bar.
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p>Game Mode
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p>There's nothing more annoying than watching your game suddenly stop playing due to a background task. If your PC is already struggling to maintain frame rates, this can render a game inaccessible. Game Mode is a feature of Windows 11 that can stop this.
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p>Windows 11 Game Mode
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p>This feature is available under Settings > Gaming > Games Mode. It's a single switch, and there aren't any specific hardware requirements. It is able to be turned on and Windows will not attempt to download or install updates in the background. Apps that make use of the Windows notification system will not interfere with your game. When Windows detects you're playing an online game Game Mode is activated automatically.
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p>Game widget store
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p>Windows 11 Game widget store.
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p>The Game Bar has plenty of capabilities when you first open it, but it's more customizable than you think. There's an inventory of widgets in the menus. This lets you purchase additional overlay items. It's located in the widget list (the far-left button on the main bar). Near the bottom, you'll find the widget store.
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p>The majority of what you'll find in the store is free, however there are some paid widgets, and overlays that work with desktop apps that are paid. The store offers widgets that allow you to add floating YouTube videos, add an ethically dubious crosshair onto your screen for no-scope cutting, and many more. There are also widgets that can be used to control hardware like Corsair coolers and EVGA video cards.
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p>Xbox app
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p>Windows 11 Xbox app.
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p>Ryan Whitwam
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p>Microsoft's Xbox app is bundled with Windows 11, and it's worth opening even if you do not own an Xbox. It allows you to purchase PC games such as Cuphead, Destiny 2, and Minecraft but it's much more than a Steam replacement that has a lower catalogue. It also functions as the hub of Microsoft Game Pass on the PC.
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p>Game Pass is an online subscription service that offers a wide selection of games available at no cost. You can download and play them whenever they are on Game Pass. Microsoft has also purchased publishers like Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda to ensure there is plenty to pick from. Even if your graphics card is not the best it's possible that the Xbox app will allow you to play your most loved games. Game Pass Ultimate (the $15-per-month level) includes Cloud Gaming, which renders Xbox games on a server, and then streams them to your computer. Although the selection isn't huge however, you can get Halo Infinite as well as Forza Horizon 5 on this tier. So, regardless of the method you choose to go about getting your gaming fix, Windows 11 should have something that will make your gaming experience better.
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