Microsoft Announces Xbox November Update and New Features for its Xbox App on PC

The Xbox November Update is coming this week alongside new features for the Xbox app on PC. This will be the last big software update of the year for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles as the next update (“2402”), which is currently being tested with Xbox Insiders on the Alpha ring, is expected to be released in February 2024.

Microsoft often holds Free Play Days events throughout the year where two or three games go free-to-play for a couple of days with an Xbox Game Pass Core (previously Xbox Live Gold subscription). If one of the games you’ve added to your wishlist is part of a Free Play Days event, your console will now be able to notify you that you can play it for free for a limited time.

You’ll be able to configure Console wish list notifications for Xbox Free Play Days events by going to Settings > Preferences > Notifications > Xbox Notifications > Store. There, you can also choose to be notified when games on your wishlist go on sale or join the Xbox Game Pass library.

The November Xbox Update will also improve Japanese language support for physical and virtual keyboards by allowing users to select specific keyboard layouts for Japanese keyboards on their console. This can be done by going to Settings > System > Language & location.

With the Xbox November update, Microsoft is also making it easier to redeem rewards for your console. All rewards are now visible from the My Rewards tab on your Xbox profile, and there’s also a new phone verification system to redeem them.

While the Xbox November update will start rolling out later this week, new features are available in the Xbox app for PC starting today. There’s a new Compact mode for devices with smaller screens including the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go gaming handhelds, and you can see it below.

Microsoft also made changes under the hood to improve the game install, launch, and update experience. A new Gaming Services Repair Tool has also been added to help PC gamers fix any issues with games downloaded from the Xbox app.

Lastly, Microsoft said that this update introduces various controller navigation improvements across the app. A new Xbox Wireless Controller firmware update is also rolling out via the Xbox Accessories app, and it includes bug fixes to enable Shift mode for keyboard mapping on Elite Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controllers.