Xbox One Windows 10 update is rolling out now and here’s how to get it

New Xbox One Experience \n

Xbox One owners will be getting a completely new Windows 10-powered operating system for their gaming and media console within the next 24 hours. The official rollout of the system update that will install the new operating system has been confirmed to begin at 3:01am ET/ 12:01am PT on November 12^th. It’s important to note that not everyone will get the update at once and, like the rollout of Windows 10 to PCs, users will gradually be given the update over the course of the day starting from the official launch time.

To get the update as soon as possible, Xbox One owners should enable Instant-on power mode in the Power & startup settings. This will allow the console to download the update while it’s turned off and is worth enabling over the next day or so to get the update as soon as possible.

Those wishing to save energy with the Energy-saving mode (which almost completely shuts down the Xbox One when it’s turned off) can check for the update by going to the System settings and viewing the Update button on the left side of the screen.

This update to what is being called “The New Xbox One Experience” is mandatory and any system which hasn’t updated by November 23^rd will be forced to. You can read the full release notes of the update here.

The Xbox One’s new Xbox 360 backwards compatibility will actually activate separately from The New Xbox One Experience at 3:01pm/12:01 PM (noon) PT on November 12^th for all users, who simply have to refresh their games library to see all of their Xbox 360 digital titles. Xbox 360 games will also begin appearing in the Xbox One store at this stage with over 104 titles currently confirmed for inclusion. When this happens, owners of physical Xbox 360 disks for any of the 104+ game titles can also begin playing these on Xbox One as well.

The New Xbox One Experience is both a visual and technical revamp of the Xbox One user interface and will be powered by a version of the Windows 10 operating system designed for the console that will enable it to run apps designed for Windows 10 PCs and mobile devices. Health tracking company, FitBit, has already confirmed they are working on an Xbox One version of their app. The new Windows 10-powered Xbox One will also bring a renewed focus on animated user avatars, speedier navigation, and changes to the way apps are snapped and menus are navigated.

Microsoft’s virtual assistant, Cortana, has been confirmed to be coming to Xbox One but won’t be getting a public launch until sometime in 2016 despite already appearing on consoles for those Xbox One owners in the Preview Program, which is used by Microsoft to test upcoming features before rolling them out to all users. A Kinect sensor will be needed to use Cortana on Xbox One but that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone as a Kinect is already needed for the Xbox One’s current voice command functions.

Are you excited for The New Xbox One Experience? Which aspect of it are you hyped for the most? How will you be installing it? Let us know in the comments below.