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New Xbox One Experience Windows 10 Update Now Available

By Brian Burgess

Last Updated on July 29, 2021

Microsoft today is rolling out the long-awaited Windows 10 Update for Xbox One. It’s available now and includes backward compatibility for Xbox 360 games.

Microsoft today rolled out the long-awaited New Xbox One Experience based on Windows 10. The update started rolling out to consoles starting at 3:01 am ET/12:01 am PT this morning.

This update provides improvements to the dashboard, new apps, and other enhancements. However, the biggest deal about this update is backward compatibility for Xbox 360 games via Hyper-V virtualization technology built into Windows 10.

The New Xbox One Experience system update is starting to roll out. Details here https://t.co/ul8Y8li9eS pic.twitter.com/WsfoOgrEIb

— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) November 12, 2015

New Xbox One Experience (NXOE)

As we previously reported, new features include reduced lag time when switching between apps, settings, games, and other items. The Dashboard now has vertical scrolling that allows for faster navigation versus scrolling horizontally.

While everything works faster and more efficiently, there are some known issues that Microsoft posted here.

For more on what you can expect, check out the following video from Microsoft.

Backward Compatibility with Xbox 360 Games

While there are plenty of updates to the overall interface to NXOE powered by Windows 10, the most touted feature is the ability to play your Xbox 360 games on your Xbox One console. While there isn’t support for all Xbox 360 games, there is a decent number of 104 out of the gate, and Microsoft will add more over time. Another important note is that that all 360 games you get for free with the Games with Gold subscription will be compatible, too.

Do note, however, that this feature won’t be available right away. According to Microsoft’s Larry Hryb, aka, Major Nelson, the backward compatibility will come 12 hours after the initial NXOE update.

Regardless of when you receive the New Xbox One Experience system update, the Xbox One Backward Compatibility feature will begin rolling out starting at 3:01pm/12:01 PM (noon) PT on November 12^th.  To start playing your Xbox 360 games on Xbox One after this time, refresh your Game Collection to see your pre-purchased, digital Xbox 360 titles from the Backward Compatible title list in your ready to install queue or simply insert the disc for a supported Xbox 360 title and download the game to start playing it on Xbox One.

For a full list of Xbox 360 titles, read Major Nelson’s The List of Xbox One Backward Compatibility Games is Now Available.

If you haven’t turned off the default Instant-On feature, you should have the update waiting for you by the time you get home (or wake up). However, if you have Power Saving Mode enabled, just head to Settings > System and grab the update. The new update weighs in at just over 1.1 GB.

Finally, make sure to thank Martin Starr from HBO’s Silicon Valley letting us know we’re welcome for his development of the New Xbox One Experience. Thanks, Martin!

It’s worth noting that not everyone is going to get this update at the same time. Major Nelson points out in his blog post, “It’s important to note that not everyone will get the update at once, as it will be deploying globally to the Xbox One audience.”

Do you have an Xbox One with the new Windows 10 update? Leave a comment below and let us know how things are working (or not working) and what your favorite new feature is.