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p>The future is brighter for gamers on Apple macOS and even Linux, but Windows remains the most reliable PC operating system for games. Microsoft is well aware of this and has included a number of gaming features into Windows over the years. Windows 11 adds even more gaming features. Here are the Windows 11 features that will make your next frag 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 ships with the Game Bar preloaded, giving users quick access to useful tools by a single keystroke. The Game Bar can be opened anytime, even if you aren't playing any game. You can do this by pressing Win +G. If your Xbox controller is paired with your computer, tap the Xbox button.

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p>The Game Bar is an overlay with widgets that help you capture gameplay footage, manage audio output, monitor PC performance, and more. In the settings, you can even connect to your social media accounts to allow immediate sharing of your recorded videos and images.

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p>DirectStorage?

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p>Microsoft has come up with a way for your hardware to communicate more efficiently with each other, which could result in improved performance in games. It's called DirectStorage?, and you don't need to do anything to enable it. However, you'll need to meet certain hardware requirements that may require an upgrade.

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p>DirectStorage? for Windows 11

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p>DirectStorage? lets your computer communicate directly with the GPU's storage. This removes the CPU decompression process that most systems require, eliminating a major performance bottleneck. Games running DirectX 12 can take advantage of DirectStorage? as long as your PC has an NVMe SSD and a compatible GPU. Any AMD RDNA2 card or Nvidia RTX 2000-series or later should work.

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p>If you're unsure if your system can handle DirectStorage? You can find out in the previously mentioned Game Bar. Click the settings tab, and then select Gaming Features. https://aare.xyz/ This page will tell whether your GPU, software 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 have HDR (high-dynamic range) can create vivid and more realistic colors. Developers have been adding HDR support to their games for the recent years. If you're playing a game that doesn't support HDR, Windows 11 can still pump up the colors by enabling Auto HDR.

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p>The catch here is that you'll need a monitor capable of HDR as well, and these are usually more expensive than conventional panels. If you have an HDR-compatible monitor Windows can automatically enhance games that aren't HDR in real-time. This occurs at the OS level, so developers don't need to do anything. Go to Settings > System > HDR. Auto HDR will be enabled when your monitor supports it. This will also add an HDR intensity slider to the Game Bar.

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p>Game Mode

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p>There's nothing more frustrating than watching your smooth and smooth game lose frames because your PC decided that it was time to start a massive operation in the background. A game can become unplayable if it is struggling to keep frame rates constant. 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 can be found under Settings > Gaming > Games Mode. This toggle is a single one that doesn't require any additional hardware. Flip it on, and Windows will not attempt to download or install updates in the background, and games that utilize the Windows notification system won't interfere with your game. Game Mode is activated automatically when Windows detects that you're playing a game.

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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 flexible than you'd think. Tucked away in the menus is a widget store where you can buy more widgets to add to your overlay. It's located in the widget list (the left-most button on the main bar). At the very bottom, you'll find the widget store.

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p>The majority of the content in the store is free, however there are a few paid widgets, as well as overlays that connect to paid desktop apps. You can add floating YouTube? videos to your screen, insert an ethically questionable crosshair onto your screen, and many other widgets. There are also widgets that can be used to control hardware such as 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 comes with Windows 11. It's worth opening even though you don't have an Xbox. It lets you purchase PC games like Cuphead, Destiny 2, and Minecraft but it's much more than an Steam replacement with a poorer catalog. It also acts as the hub for Microsoft Game Pass on the PC.

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p>Game Pass is a subscription service that gives you access to many games for no cost. You can install and play these games for the duration of Game Pass, and Microsoft has bought publishers such as Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard in order to provide plenty to play. Even even if you don't own an impressive GPU, the Xbox app can help you get your game on. Game Pass Ultimate, a $15 per month tier, features Cloud Gaming. This renders Xbox games on an off-site server and then streams them to your computer. Although the selection isn't huge, you can find Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 on this level. So, regardless of the method you choose to get your gaming fix, Windows 11 should have something that will make your experience better.

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