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p>While gamers will enjoy a better life in 2022 due to Apple macOS and Linux, Windows is still the most suitable operating system for gaming. Microsoft is well aware of this and has included many gaming features into Windows over the years. Windows 11 adds even more gaming goodies. Here are the Windows 11 features that will make your next game 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 you quick access to some useful tools with just a keystroke. The Game Bar can be opened anytime even when you're not playing any game. It can be opened 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 allow you to capture gameplay footage, manage audio output as well as monitor PC performance and more. You can log into your social media accounts via the settings and share your images and clips immediately.

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p>DirectStorage?

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p>If you have a powerful computer, Microsoft has devised a way your hardware can communicate more efficiently, which results in improved performance in games. It's called DirectStorage?, and you don't need to perform anything to enable it. However, you do need to hit certain specifications on your hardware that could necessitate an upgrade.

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p>DirectStorage? for Windows 11

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p>DirectStorage? allows your computer's storage (where game data is stored) to communicate directly with the GPU. This removes the CPU decompression process that many systems require, which eliminates a major performance bottleneck. DirectX 12 games can take advantage of DirectStorage? when your computer is equipped with an NVMe SD and an compatible GPU. Any AMD RDNA2 card, or Nvidia RTX2000 series or older should work.

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p>If you aren't sure whether your system is capable of handling DirectStorage? You will find out this information in the previously mentioned Game Bar. Click on the settings gear and then select Gaming Features. This will tell you 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 support HDR (high-dynamic range) can provide vivid, more realistic colors. It's only been common for developers to incorporate HDR support in the past few years. If you're playing a game which doesn't support HDR, Windows 11 can still boost the color with a feature called Auto HDR.

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p>This is due to the fact that HDR monitors are more expensive than regular panels. Windows can use algorithms to enhance non HDR games if you have a compatible monitor. This occurs at the OS level, meaning that developers don't have to do anything. To enable Auto HDR go to Settings > System > Display HDR. If your monitor supports by Auto HDR, you can turn on Auto HDR. This will also include an HDR intensity slider to the Game Bar. https://wickedfrise.com/ </p>

p>Game Mode

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p>There's nothing worse than seeing your smooth and smooth game lose frames because something on your PC decided that it was time to perform a large operation in the background. A game can be rendered unplayable when it's struggling to keep up with frame rates. 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>You can find this feature under Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. It's just a single toggle and there's no hardware requirements. Switch it on and Windows will not attempt to download or install updates in the background, and applications that utilize the Windows notification system won't disrupt your game. When Windows detects that you're playing an online game, Game Mode kicks in automatically.

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p>Game widget store

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p>Windows 11 Game Widget Store

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p>While the Game Bar is very functional when it first launches but it's far more customizable than you might think. You'll find a widget store in the menus. This allows you to buy more overlay items. It's located in the widget list (the leftmost button on the main bar). Near the lower end, you'll find the widget store.

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p>The majority of the widgets available in this store are free. However there are some paid overlays and widgets that can connect to paid desktop applications. You can add floating YouTube? videos to your screen, add an ethically questionable crosshair to your screen, and many other widgets. There are also widgets specifically designed for hardware such as EVGA video cards and Corsair coolers.

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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 exploring even if you don't own an Xbox. It allows you to purchase PC games like Cuphead, Destiny 2, and Minecraft however, it's much more than just a Steam replacement with a smaller catalogue. It also serves as the central point of Microsoft Game Pass on the PC.

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p>Game Pass is an online subscription service that offers many games available at no extra charge. You can download and play these games for as long as they're on Game Pass, and Microsoft has bought publishers such as Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard in order to provide plenty to play. Even if your GPU not the best, the Xbox application will allow you to play your most loved games. Game Pass Ultimate (the $15-per-month tier) includes Cloud Gaming, which renders Xbox games on a server, and then streams them to your computer. Although the selection isn't huge, you can find Halo Infinite as well as Forza Horizon 5 on this tier. So, regardless of what method you use to are able to get your gaming fix, Windows 11 should have something to make the experience more enjoyable.

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