Gamers, don't Forget these Amazing Windows 11 Tools
While gamers will have better experiences in 2022 due to Apple macOS and Linux, Windows is still the best operating system for gaming. Microsoft is well aware of this advantage and has included many gaming features into Windows over the years. Windows 11 adds even more gaming features. These are the Windows 11 features that will make your next gaming session even more enjoyable.
Game Bar
Windows 11 Game Bar.
Windows 11 comes preloaded with the Game Bar. This allows you to access useful tools with one keystroke. The Game Bar can be opened anytime, even if you aren't playing a game. This can be done by pressing Win + G. If your Xbox controller is linked to your computer, tap the Xbox button.
The Game Bar overlay includes widgets that let you capture gameplay footage, control audio output and monitor your PC's performance. In the settings, you can even log in to your social media accounts to allow immediate sharing of your captured images and clips.
DirectStorage
If you have a sufficiently powerful PC, Microsoft has devised a way for your hardware to communicate more efficiently, which means improved performance in games. It's called DirectStorage and you don't need to do anything to activate it. You do, however, have to meet certain hardware specs that might require an upgrade.
Windows 11 DirectStorage.
DirectStorage allows your computer to directly connect to the storage of your GPU. This will eliminate the need for CPU decompression, which is a major bottleneck in performance. DirectX 12 games can take advantage of DirectStorage when your computer has an NVMe SD and an appropriate GPU. Any AMD RDNA2 card or Nvidia RTX2000-series or older will work.
DirectStorage is handled by your system if you are unsure. Select the settings menu, and then select Gaming Features. This page will let you know whether your computer or GPU and SSD are compatible.
Auto HDR
Windows 11 Auto HDR.
Games that support HDR (high-dynamic range) can provide vivid real-looking colors. Developers have been adding HDR support to their games over the last few years. If you're playing a game which does not support HDR, Windows 11 can still boost the color with a feature known as Auto HDR.
This is because HDR monitors are more expensive than regular panels. irc101 If you have an HDR-capable monitor, Windows can algorithmically enhance non-HDR games on the fly. This happens at the OS level, so developers don't need to do anything. Go to Settings > System > HDR. Auto HDR will be enabled in the event that your monitor supports it. This will also include an HDR intensity slider to the Game Bar.
Game Mode
There's nothing more frustrating than watching your smooth game drop frames because something on your PC decided it was time to run a heavy operation in the background. If your PC is already struggling to maintain frame rates, this could make a game unplayable. Game Mode is a feature of Windows 11 that can stop this.
Windows 11 Game Mode.
This feature is located under Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. It's just a single toggle and there are no specific hardware requirements. Switch it on and Windows will not try to download or install updates in the background, and games that utilize the Windows notification system won't disrupt your game. Game Mode kicks in automatically when Windows detects that you're playing an online game.
Game widget store
Windows 11 Game widget store.
The Game Bar has plenty of functionality when you first open it, but it's also more customizable than you think. Tucked away in the menus is a widget store where you can get more items for your overlay. It is located in the widget list (the far-left button on the main bar). In the very lower end, you'll find the widget store.
The majority of what you'll find in the store is free, but there are a few paid widgets, as well as overlays that can be connected to desktop applications that are paid. You can add floating YouTube videos to your screen, insert an ethically questionable crosshair onto your screen, and many more widgets. There are also dedicated widgets for hardware such as EVGA video cards and Corsair coolers.
Xbox app
Windows 11 Xbox app.
Ryan Whitwam
Microsoft's Xbox app is bundled with Windows 11, and it's worth checking out even if you don't own an Xbox. It lets you buy PC games such as Cuphead, Destiny 2, and Minecraft but it's much more than a Steam replacement that has a lower catalog. It also functions as the hub for Microsoft Game Pass on the PC.
Game Pass is a subscription service that offers an array of games at no cost. You can install and play games for as long as they're on Game Pass, and Microsoft has bought publishers such as Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard to ensure that there's plenty of games to play. Even if your graphics card is not the most powerful, the Xbox application lets you play your most loved games. Game Pass Ultimate, a $15 per-month tier, includes Cloud Gaming. This renders Xbox games on remote servers and streams them to your PC. While the games aren't as extensive however, you can get Halo Infinite as well as Forza Horizon 5 on this category. So, regardless of the method you choose to are able to get your gaming fix, Windows 11 should have something that can make your experience better.