Xbox app on PC now launches faster and has HowLongToBeat integration

Microsoft is updating its Xbox app on Windows with HowLongToBeat integration and faster launch times. The Xbox team has partnered with HowLongToBeat to estimate how long it will take to beat a PC Game Pass game. HowLongToBeat is a community-based site that lets people track how long a game will take and see if a game is worth buying or playing.

HowLongToBeat integration into the Xbox app on Windows includes a combination of play genres, along with estimates for the game's main story, 100 percent completion, and additional quests. You'll be able to submit your own timeline and even see community reviews, playthrough notes, and analysis by playstyle.

Microsoft is also improving how quick it is to launch Xbox apps on Windows. “We are committed to continuing to improve the performance and reliability of the app,” explains Jason Beaumont, partner director of product management for the Xbox Player experiences and platform team. "With the most recent update, the app now launches up to 15 percent faster, and we've also made some improvements for overall better responsiveness when you interact with key experiences in the app."

This should mean improved search results as well as improved downloading and installing games. Microsoft has also made some much-needed improvements to the game's description pages so you can see the trailer and screenshots at the top of the list.

Overall, the improvement is a welcome change for the Xbox app on Windows. Microsoft has been tweaking the app for months and earlier this year made it possible to install PC games to any folder.