What the Xbox PC App's Speed Boost Means for Players

For players, a faster Xbox PC app means less waiting and a smoother entry into their library, while the three-way launcher speed race with Steam and Epic could push all platforms to keep improving.

For players, a faster Xbox PC app means less waiting and a smoother entry into their library, while the three-way launcher speed race with Steam and Epic could push all platforms to keep improving.

Key points - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the Xbox app on Windows is now up to 60% faster. - Startup time dropped from over 15 seconds to just over five seconds, clocking 5.2 in the official video. - Steam generally takes between 5.23 and seven seconds to fully open, based on recent clocking. - The Epic Games Store opens in 5.47 seconds, per recent measurements. - Sharma called it a meaningful improvement and said there is plenty more to do.

Timeline - November 5, 2026: Asha Sharma announces the Xbox on Windows speed update on Twitter. - November 5, 2026: Xbox begins rolling out updates making the app up to 60% faster. - Recent clocking: Steam measured at 5.23 to seven seconds and Epic Games Store at 5.47 seconds to fully open.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Xbox PC app now? A: Xbox says the app is up to 60% faster, with startup time dropping from over 15 seconds to just over five seconds — 5.2 seconds in the official demo video.

Q: Is the Xbox PC app faster than Steam and Epic? A: Based on recent clocking, yes. Steam takes between 5.23 and seven seconds and Epic takes 5.47 seconds, while the Xbox app showed 5.2 seconds in its official video.

Q: Are these startup times reliable? A: Take them with a grain of salt. Those figures reflect ideal conditions all around, so real-world results on your own PC may vary.