Xbox will speed up PC game downloads. Microsoft is testing an important new feature.

Calendar 7/27/2026

This article is an English translation of our original Polish review. Read the original on Wybierz.tv.

Downloading large games from Xbox Game Pass has long been one of the most criticised aspects of the Xbox app on PCs. Many users complained that the app couldn't fully utilise their available internet connection, so installations took much longer than they should. Microsoft plans to fix this with a new Smart Download Client. The feature has been released in the Xbox Insider Alpha Skip-Ahead test build and early reports say it brings noticeable benefits. Crucially, the solution is meant to work not only on consoles but also in the Xbox app on PC. If testing is successful, it will be one of the most tangible improvements for Game Pass users.

Smart Download Client automatically selects the fastest server

The new system starts a download by checking the availability of servers hosting the files. It then analyses several groups of servers and picks the one offering the best performance at that moment. But that’s not where it stops. Smart Download Client regularly monitors connection quality and can automatically switch a download to a faster server if one becomes available. This means the user isn’t tied to a single source for the entire download process. Microsoft expects the solution to maintain higher and more stable transfer speeds. This is particularly important for modern releases, which increasingly exceed 100 GB in size.

Microsoft also announces further improvements to the Xbox app

Smart Download Client is just one of the new features in the latest Xbox Insider Alpha Skip-Ahead test build. Microsoft has also prepared improvements to the game hub in the Xbox Store, making it easier to find DLC. The update also includes fixes for game installation, system updates, Remote Play, audio and overall console stability. For now, the new download system is only available to Xbox Insider testers. Early tests indicate the feature is also starting to appear in the Xbox app on PCs. The company has not yet revealed when it will roll the feature out to all users, but if the results meet expectations it will be one of the most practical changes for people who regularly use Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox

The new Smart Download Client aims to solve one of the biggest problems with the Xbox app on PC: the slow downloading of games and updates. Intelligent server selection and dynamically switching servers during transfers can significantly reduce the wait to install new titles.

source: digitaltrends

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