Microsoft has begun rolling out a preview of its much-anticipated aggregated gaming library within the Xbox PC app on Windows, allowing Xbox Insiders to see and launch Steam and Battle.net games alongside titles from the Microsoft ecosystem. This move transforms the Xbox app into a one-stop launcher for many installed PC games, reflecting Microsoft’s broader ambition to make Xbox PC the central hub for PC gaming and position itself as a stronger rival to entrenched platforms like Steam and emerging alternatives such as SteamOS.

From this week, members of the Xbox Insider program can opt into the PC gaming preview and instantly have their supported Steam and Battle.net libraries automatically detected and displayed under “My library” in the Xbox app, as well as in the “Most recent” sidebar list. In practical terms, once the preview is enabled, installing a game via Steam or Battle.net will trigger its appearance in the Xbox app without any manual setup. According to Manisha Oza, product manager of the Xbox platform, “When a player installs a game from a supported PC storefront, it will automatically appear in ‘My library’ within the Xbox PC app, as well as the ‘Most recent’ list of titles in the sidebar — making it easier than ever to jump back into your games.” Support for additional storefronts is promised over time.

This preview is just the beginning: Microsoft says the consolidated library will roll out to all users later in 2025 and extend to new hardware such as ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. These handhelds, developed in partnership with ASUS and leveraging Windows and Xbox integration, exemplify Microsoft’s strategy to expand its footprint beyond traditional consoles and desktops.

PC gaming has long been a fragmented landscape: players maintain multiple clients (Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more), each with its own launcher, overlay, update mechanism, and settings. While enthusiasts have grown accustomed to juggling these, there is a clear convenience advantage to centralizing access. A single hub that detects installed games across storefronts reduces friction: fewer launchers cluttering the desktop, a unified “recently played” view, and consistent overlay features such as Xbox networking, friends list, cloud saves, and in-game overlays.

From Microsoft’s perspective, this aggregation aligns perfectly with its PC gaming vision: integrate with the Windows operating system at a deeper level and steer players toward Xbox services like Game Pass, Xbox Live features, and cloud gaming. Combined with features like Xbox Play Anywhere—which allows titles purchased once to run on both console and PC—this unified library can entice players to remain within Microsoft’s ecosystem even when launching non-Microsoft titles. Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan has highlighted the importance of Play Anywhere in reaching the broadest audience, and an aggregated launcher is a natural next step in that strategy.

To try out the new aggregated library today, Windows users need to download the Xbox Insider Hub app on PC and join the PC gaming preview ring. Once enrolled, the updated Xbox PC app will scan for installed games from supported storefronts. In settings, users can manage visibility by hiding specific storefronts under Library & Extensions if they prefer not to see certain clients. This gives players flexibility: those who want absolute minimalism can limit the view to only their favorite storefronts, while others can embrace the full aggregated experience.

Microsoft has emphasized that integration is read-only in terms of purchase management: launching a Steam game still requires the Steam client and user authentication. The Xbox app essentially provides shortcuts and unifies the presentation layer, rather than handling installs or updates for third-party games. This approach sidesteps legal and technical complexities around DRM, licensing, and updates, while still delivering the convenience of a unified library.

The aggregated library initiative is a clear bid to make the Xbox app the default launcher for PC gaming on Windows. Valve’s Steam remains dominant, but Microsoft sees an opening: Windows is its own platform, and by embedding Xbox PC as a central gaming hub, it can leverage OS-level privileges to offer seamless integration. Moreover, Microsoft’s partnership with hardware vendors like ASUS for the Xbox Ally handheld reinforces the strategy: whether on desktop, laptop, or handheld Windows devices, the Xbox PC app becomes the home screen for gaming.

This also dovetails with Microsoft’s cloud ambitions. A unified library can make it easier to link installed games with cloud streaming options in the future, potentially enabling remote play or cloud-assisted features for non-Game Pass titles. While Microsoft has not explicitly detailed such features yet, industry observers note that leveraging Azure infrastructure could allow for novel cross-platform experiences, such as streaming an installed Steam game via Xbox cloud servers or syncing save data across devices.