Xbox will speed up game downloads on PC. 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 could not fully utilise the available internet connection, meaning installations took far longer than they should. Microsoft aims to address this issue with the new Smart Download Client. The feature has been made available in the Xbox Insider Alpha Skip-Ahead test build and, according to early reports, brings noticeable benefits. Importantly, the solution is intended to work not only on consoles but also in the Xbox app on PCs. If testing proves successful, it will be one of the most noticeable changes 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 its work doesn't end there. The Smart Download Client regularly monitors connection quality and can automatically switch the download to a faster server if one becomes available. That way, the user is not tied to a single source for the entire download process. Microsoft expects the solution to help maintain higher and more stable download speeds. This is especially important for modern releases, whose size increasingly exceeds 100 GB.

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 games hub in the Xbox Store, making it easier to find DLC. The update also includes fixes related to game installation, system updates, the Remote Play feature, audio and overall console stability. At present, the new download system remains available exclusively to members of the Xbox Insider programme. Early tests indicate, however, that the feature is beginning to appear in the Xbox app on PCs as well. The company has not yet disclosed a date for making the feature available 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 of the Xbox app on PC: slow download speeds for games and updates. Smart server selection and dynamic switching during transfer can significantly reduce the waiting time for installing new titles.

source: digitaltrends

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