New Xbox One Experience: Microsoft launches new dashboard, backwards compatibility for Xbox 360 games

Support for Windows 10 and backwards compatibility is coming — and most people won't have to do anything at all

Andrew Griffin
Thursday 12 November 2015 07:38 EST
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Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, announces backwards compatibility to play Xbox 360 games on the Xbox One during game publisher Microsoft's Xbox media briefing before the opening day of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, in Los Angeles, California, United States, June 15, 2015
Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, announces backwards compatibility to play Xbox 360 games on the Xbox One during game publisher Microsoft's Xbox media briefing before the opening day of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, in Los Angeles, California, United States, June 15, 2015

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A completely new look is rolling out to all Xbox Ones, alongside the launch of backward compatibility that will allow people to play games from the older Xbox 360 console.

The update brings a completely new look and Microsoft’s Windows 10 to the console, allowing it to use apps that are available across PCs, Windows Phones and the Xbox.

It is the first major change to the look of the Xbox’s menus since the console launched, two years ago.

As well as the changes to the dashboard, the update will bring backwards compatibility to the console, allowing it to play Xbox 360 games. Because the feature works by running an emulator and pretending to be an Xbox 360, Microsoft is testing all games before they are available and not all will be ready at launch.

That process will begin automatically, checking to see if there are Xbox 360 games associated with users’ gamertags and then making them available to be played.

The new look brings with it redesigned menus, which Microsoft claims will allow people to get around up to 50 per cent faster. It is based around a new guide that shows up on the left of the screen to allow access to the most important parts of the console, as well as different navigation bars at the top.

The game also features a new store, new community areas and new avatars.

Windows 10 launches in UK

Because the update is based around Windows 10, new apps will be available for the platform. And it can also stream games back to a Windows PC or tablet, allowing people to play their Xbox games from another room.

How to download

How to get the update depends on the Xbox’s settings.

If it is in what Microsoft calls “Instant-on power mode” — which allows the console to sit in a special low-power state to download things when it’s not being used — then the update will be downloaded and installed automatically at some point during the day.

When that mode isn’t enabled, the update can be downloaded by going to Settings and then System, where there will be an option to “Update Now”.

All Xbox owners will get a prompt on 23 November to tell them to download it, if they haven’t already.

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