Microsoft closes the time to remove the Xbox Console Companion application

Back in June 2019, Microsoft renamed the Windows 10 Xbox app, which was released in 2014, to Xbox Console Companion. In addition to the name, the application's logo has also been changed to look like Xbox One instead of the normal Xbox logo.

At the same time, Microsoft has also launched a new Xbox application for Windows 10. This application currently supports Windows 11 and will soon become the only official software for Xbox models on the Windows platform.

In a recently updated post on the Xbox support page, Microsoft said:

The Xbox Console Companion app on Windows will no longer be available from August 28, 2023. If you've been affected by this decision and wonder how to continue interacting with the games, services, and community Xbox on a Windows device, the Xbox for Windows app is the only solution. You'll always be connected to the Xbox community and play games on your device.

With Xbox Console Companion coming to a close, Windows 10 and 11 users will be instructed to switch to the Xbox app. This application allows PC owners to download and play games on the computer or connect to the Xbox system remotely on the local network. Users can also access Xbox Cloud Gaming if they subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, etc.

A recent update in May added a bunch of useful features to the app. For example, the ability to view your Xbox friends list and display a chat window while playing a PC game. There's also a built-in Xbox Game Bar on Windows, which allows PC gamers to take screenshots or video clips while gaming, get information on overall system performance, etc.

It will be interesting to see if Microsoft plans to release any major updates to the Xbox app next time as a 'compensation' for users.

Micah Soto

Update 01 August 2023