Microsoft is rolling out a fresh set of personalization features for Xbox consoles, starting with a test phase for members of the Xbox Insiders program. The update introduces tools that let users manage their visual experience more actively, including automatic background rotation and a repositionable system menu.
Rotating backgrounds and library organization
Users in the preview ring can now save their preferred dynamic backgrounds and set them to shuffle automatically. The system offers flexible timing options, allowing the background to change each time a user signs in, or on an hourly, daily, or weekly schedule. This feature gives players more control over the visual atmosphere of their console without manual intervention.
Eden Marie, a principal software engineering lead at Xbox, confirmed the new capabilities in a statement. “Xbox Insiders can now save favorite dynamic backgrounds and shuffle through them automatically,” she said. “You can also choose Shuffle at the start of any background category.” She added that users can set the background to change each time they sign in, or set it to change hourly, daily, or weekly.
Beyond visuals, the update also touches on how digital games are organized. Players who have claimed a digital license from a physical disc will now see those titles listed in a separate category within the library section. This change aims to clarify the distinction between disc-based and purely digital ownership. Additionally, users can now hide the digital license icon on game tiles to reduce visual clutter.
Guide menu relocation
A significant structural change is the ability to move the Xbox Guide menu. Previously fixed to the left side of the screen, the menu can now be positioned on the right. This option is available to Alpha Skip-Ahead members first, with a broader rollout to other Insiders and players planned for the future.
“Alpha Skip-Ahead members can try them first,” Marie noted. “We’ll bring them to more Xbox Insiders and players over time.” This flexibility allows users to tailor the interface to their preferred navigation style, potentially improving accessibility or simply matching personal habit.
These updates are currently in the testing phase. Microsoft is gathering feedback from the Insiders community to refine the features before a wider release. The changes reflect a broader effort to make the Xbox interface more adaptable to individual user preferences.
Source: The Verge
