Xbox players are about to gain more control over their dashboard experience, thanks to a new update that enhances customization options on the Xbox Home Screen. Microsoft has officially announced that Xbox Insiders will soon be able to pin up to three favorite games or apps, hide system applications, and reduce visual clutter — all designed to make the interface feel more personalized and streamlined.
Pin Your Top Games on the Xbox Home Screen
The most notable feature in this update is the ability to pin up to three favorite games or apps directly to the “Recently Played” section. This ensures your top titles remain easily accessible at the front of your list, even as you continue to launch other apps or games. For gamers with a consistent rotation of favorites, this small but impactful addition can significantly speed up the experience.
Hide System Apps for a Cleaner Interface
Another new feature lets players hide system apps that are rarely used, further minimizing clutter on the Xbox Home Screen. This will allow users to focus solely on the content they care about, without unnecessary icons crowding their view.
Reduce Tile Count for a Simpler Layout
To complement the cleaner experience, Microsoft is introducing the “Reduce Tile Count” setting. This feature enables players to limit the number of visible tiles in the “Recently Opened Games and Apps” list, making room for dynamic backgrounds and enhancing the overall visual appeal of the dashboard.
A More Personalized Xbox Dashboard Experience
Eden Marie, Principal Software Engineering Lead at Xbox, emphasized in a recent blog post that these updates are a direct response to user feedback: “We’ve heard from many of you that Home should feel more like your space,” she wrote. “Whether it’s surfacing your favorite games, hiding what you don’t use, or simply making Home feel less crowded, this update is a direct response to that feedback.”
Availability: Who Gets It First?
These features are initially rolling out to Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha ring members of the Xbox Insider program. Microsoft noted that while the Reduce Tile Count setting is still being finalized, it will be made available “soon.”
