Xbox system software

Last updated

The Xbox system software is the operating system developed exclusively for Microsoft's Xbox home video game consoles. [1] Across the four generations of Xbox consoles, the software has been based on a version of Microsoft Windows and incorporating DirectX features optimized for the home consoles. The user interface, the Xbox Dashboard, provides access to games, media players, and applications, and integrates with the Xbox network for online functionality.

Contents

Though initial iterations of the software for the original Xbox and Xbox 360 were based on heavily modified versions of Windows, the newer consoles feature operating systems that are highly compatible with Microsoft's desktop operating systems, allowing for shared applications and ease-of-development between personal computers and the Xbox line.

Common features

Across all four generations of the Xbox platform, the user interface of the system software has been called the Xbox Dashboard. While its appearance and detailed functions have varied between console generations, the Dashboard has provided the user the means to start a game from the optical media loaded into the console or off the console's storage, launch audio and video players to play optical media discs, or start special applications for the Xbox such as streaming media services from third parties. The Dashboard also provides a menu of settings and configuration pages for the console that the user can adjust.

The Dashboard has supported integration with the Xbox Live service since November 2002. Xbox Live provides online functionality to the Xbox, including friends list, game achievement tracking, matchmaking support for online games, in-game communications, and a digital game storefront. While some portions of the Xbox Live service are free, a subscription-tier Xbox Live Gold is generally required to play most multiplayer games on the console.

Starting with the Xbox 360 and continuing through its current consoles, Microsoft has offered a means for users to opt into a beta test version of the console's system software. When first launched for the Xbox 360 in September 2010, this was called the Xbox Live Preview Program, and initially required an invitation from Microsoft after applying for the program. [2] On the release of the Xbox One in 2014, the program was renamed to Xbox Preview Program, and Microsoft made this program open to all rather than restricting through invitation. [3] [4] Later in November 2016 rebranded to the Xbox Insider Program, corresponding to the similar Windows Insider program for those testing its computer operating system. With the Xbox Insider Program, testing not only included updates to the system software but upcoming game and application patches from both first and third-parties. [5]

Each iteration of the Xbox software has brought some form of backward compatibility to the newer console. On the Xbox 360, selected original Xbox games could be played through emulation after downloading an emulation profile to local storage. [6] The Xbox One was not initially shipped with backward compatibility support, but was later added by January 2015 by another emulator to support selected Xbox 360 games, with hundreds of titles added over the following years. [7] A similar emulator was developed and released in October 2017 for the Xbox One for a limited selection of original Xbox console games. [8] Achieving Xbox One-backward compatibility on the Xbox Series X and Series S was a target goal for the newer consoles, and as such, these new consoles are fully backward compatible with all games in the Xbox One library with the exception of those requiring Kinect support. The supported list includes the Xbox and Xbox 360 games that were playable via emulation on the Xbox One. [9]

Original Xbox system software

Xbox system software
Xbox original ui.jpg
The original Xbox UI in 2001, before the addition of Xbox Live
Developer Microsoft
Written in C, C++
Working stateDiscontinued
Source model Closed source
Available in Chinese (Traditional), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish
Update methodDirect Download
Game Disk
Platforms Xbox
Succeeded by Xbox 360 system software

The original Xbox runs a custom operating system which is based on a heavily modified version of Windows 2000, an approach that Microsoft engineer Don Box called "fork and run". [10] [11] It exports APIs similar to those found in Microsoft Windows, such as Direct3D. [12] While Windows 2000 was built for multitasking of multiple applications including memory paging, the Xbox console was planned to only run one application at a time, and these features were removed for the Xbox software. When loading a game, the operating system would unload itself to give all of the console's resources to the game, and then when the player left the game, the operating system would load back up again. [10]

Xbox Live support was not originally part of the system software as shipped in 2001, but added later in November 2002. [13] [14] While the Xbox was still being supported by Microsoft, the Xbox Dashboard was updated via Live several times to reduce cheating and add features. [15]

Microsoft released a dynamic background for its current Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S system software in May 2021 that is based on the original Xbox system software appearance. [16]

The original Xbox operating system source code was leaked in 2020. [11]

Xbox 360 system software

Xbox 360 system software
Xbox 360 uis.jpg
From top: the "Blades" user interface; the "New Xbox Experience"; the "Metro" interface
Developer Microsoft
Written in C, C++ and HTML for settings
Working stateDiscontinued
Source model Closed source
Initial release2.0.1888.0 / November 22, 2005;18 years ago (2005-11-22) [17]
Latest release 2.0.17559.0 / November 12, 2019;4 years ago (2019-11-12) [18]
Latest preview 2.0.17511.0 / November 10, 2016;7 years ago (2016-11-10) [18]
Available in
  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Swedish
  • Turkish
Update methodDirect Download
USB Recovery
Game Disc
Optical Disc Recovery [19] [20]
Platforms Xbox 360
Preceded by Original Xbox system software
Succeeded by Xbox One system software
Official website beta.support.xbox.com/help/xbox-360/console/system-update-operating-system

The Xbox 360 system software was also a modified version of Windows 2000, expanding beyond the original Xbox console's operating system. This would prove troublesome for Microsoft from multiple directions. For the Xbox division, it made it difficult to bring in other Microsoft applications like Internet Explorer and Silverlight which had to be modified to work on the Xbox software. For Microsoft, the separate fork of these apps for the Xbox 360 and for the versions they were developing for the mobile-based Windows CE environment became difficult to maintain. These complexities led Microsoft towards its "Windows Everywhere" approach c.2010, reviewing all the dependencies within the desktop, Xbox, and mobile versions of Windows atop the MinWin process and creating a CoreSystem that contained the basic functionality of Windows that could be ported to other systems. [10]

User interface

Microsoft released the Xbox 360 console on November 22, 2005, a year earlier than both the Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. Having the advantage of the lead, Microsoft was able to experiment with various customization options for the consumer's individual consoles. The ability to customize the way the console looked with various themes to fit the front and sides of it was something very different for home console users. In system, the Xbox 360 Dashboard had the ability to have multiple profiles with password on the same console with each user being able to customize the dashboard to exactly fit their own unique style. There were premium themes available for purchase on the Xbox Live Marketplace apart from the default styles. Originally there were five tabs or sections known as the "blades" for the Xbox 360 menu, namely the Marketplace, Xbox Live, Games, Media and System. In scrolling from left to right, each section would have a different-colored background signifying its own unique area but users also had the option to change all sections to one background color as well. [21]

At E3 2008, Microsoft announced that all Xbox 360 owners would receive a new dashboard update, called the "New Xbox Experience" (NXE), on November 19, 2008, that added several new features. [22] A major new feature was the ability to install an entire game disc onto the Xbox 360's hard drive, which decreases loading times, and significantly reduces noise due to the game being read from the hard drive and not the louder disc drive. For most games this feature also reduces the amount of time spent reading the disc, thereby helping to extend the life-span of the optical drive mechanism. [23] The Xbox Guide was redesigned. If a user has installed any game onto their Xbox 360 hard drive, they are able to immediately start the game from the guide, whether they are in a game or in the dashboard. [24] The update gives players the ability to create Avatars, [25] which were required by Xbox Live. [22] They also announced that the update supports 16:10 on VGA or HDMI, expanding the choice of resolutions. [26]

On September 22, 2010, Microsoft announced that the Xbox Live dashboard would be updated again. The new design would incorporate the Metro interface used in other Microsoft products, such as Zune HD and Windows Phone. As well as a new color scheme and other minor tweaks to the overall layout, the update would also include a "Kinect hub", designed specifically for the Kinect sensor for easier dashboard navigation. [27] The update was released on November 1, 2010. [28] [29]

On June 6, 2011, at E3, it was announced that the dashboard would be updated once again to include the Bing search engine. Kinect would also be updated allowing users to navigate the dashboard and Bing using their voice. Other updates would include cloud storage, YouTube access, and live television streaming. [30] The new dashboard officially went live on December 6, 2011. [31]

Xbox System Software (2013–present)

Xbox System Software (2013–present)
Xbox One interface.jpg
Home screen in March 2020 update, based on the Fluent Design System
Developer Microsoft Gaming
Written in C, C++ (back-end), C#, JavaScript, XML, Ajax (UI) and Assembly language
OS family Hyper-V and Windows NT based Xbox OS [32]
Working stateCurrent
Source model Closed source
Initial release6.2.9781.0 (xb_rel_flash1307.130829-1800) / November 22, 2013;10 years ago (2013-11-22) [33]
Latest release 10.0.25398.3491 (xb_flt_2402zn.240207-1700) / February 14, 2024;43 days ago (2024-02-14) [33]
Available in 33 languages [34]
List of languages
  • Arabic (~19 MB)
  • Chinese (Simplified, China) (~104 MB)
  • Chinese (Simplified, Singapore) (~104 MB)
  • Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong) (~104 MB)
  • Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan) (~104 MB)
  • Czech (~29 MB)
  • Danish (~28 MB)
  • Dutch (~29 MB)
  • English (Australia) (~26 MB)
  • English (Canada) (~26 MB)
  • English (United Kingdom) (~26 MB)
  • English (United States)
  • Finnish (~28 MB)
  • French (Canada) (~36 MB)
  • French (France) (~36 MB)
  • German (~32 MB)
  • Greek (~29 MB)
  • Hebrew (~18 MB)
  • Hungarian (~29 MB)
  • Italian (~33 MB)
  • Japanese (~45 MB)
  • Korean (~27 MB)
  • Norwegian Bokmål (~28 MB)
  • Polish (~29 MB)
  • Portuguese (Brazil) (~44 MB)
  • Portuguese (Portugal) (~44 MB)
  • Russian (~31 MB)
  • Slovak (~19 MB)
  • Spanish (Mexico) (~36 MB)
  • Spanish (Spain) (~36 MB)
  • Swedish (~28 MB)
  • Turkish (~28 MB)
  • Ukrainian
Update method
  • Direct Download
  • USB Recovery [35]
Platforms
Kernel type Monolithic with dynamically loadable modules
Preceded by Xbox 360 system software

System

The Xbox System Software contains a heavily modified Hyper-V hypervisor (known as NanoVisor) as its host OS and two partitions. One of the partitions, the "Exclusive" partition is a custom virtual machine (VM) for games; the other partition, the "Shared" partition is a custom VM for running multiple apps including the OS. [32]

As part of its ongoing "Windows Everywhere" approach, Microsoft revamped the operating system on Xbox to be closer to its current Microsoft Windows products to provide greater compatibility between personal computers and the Xbox line. [10] The OS was based on Windows 8 Core at the Xbox One launch in 2013. The UI maintained the same "Metro" design that had been used in the last Xbox 360 update, and which resembled the desktop Windows 8 interface. [21]

In November 2015, Microsoft released the "New Xbox One Experience" which replaced the base system with Windows 10 Core, allowing Universal Windows Platform apps to be available on Xbox One. [36] According to the current head of Microsoft's Gaming division, Phil Spencer, "The importance of entertainment and games to the Windows ecosystem has become really prevalent to the company". [37] The program that Microsoft launched allows developers to build a single app that can run on a wide variety of devices, including personal computers and Xbox One video game consoles. [38] According to Polygon, Microsoft removed the distinction between Xbox One and Windows PC, [37] and the software has been called "Windows 10 on Xbox One". [39] [40]

Since 2016, all Xbox One consoles could be updated to include a development kit for universal Windows applications on Xbox One, [41] with official support for the platform and Cortana coming in summer 2016. [42]

As Microsoft continued to refine Windows 10 with the Fluent Design System, the Xbox One interface was also modified to reflect these changes by 2017. [21] Microsoft has since continued to refine this interface to add and remove integrated features, such as inclusion of Xbox Game Pass support and removal of Cortana voice commands. [21] Ahead of the release of the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles in November 2020, Microsoft updated the Xbox One software to reflect changes in the Dashboard that would also be present in the newer consoles. This included improved performance in some of the storefront features and readability improvements to the interface, which were also propagated across Xbox Game Pass and mobile apps. [43]

User interface

The system software's interface uses a geometrical placement of squares and rectangular items that scrolls as a continuous vertical line, using the Metro design language that is also seen in Windows 8, Windows 10, and other Microsoft products. [44]

When Microsoft upgraded the Windows 8-based Core to a Windows 10-based one, they made a tour of the new user interface up on Xbox Wire, promising faster, easier navigation, improved community features and the return of Xbox Avatars. The UI includes a HOME screen, consisting of the top bar, the screenshot viewer ("Album") Icons, and shortcuts to the Microsoft Store, News, and Settings. The main feature on the home screen is a list of the most recently played games. Selecting any given title will give users more information about announcements, achievements, social activity and so forth. It is also more focused on the actual games they are playing, which is part and parcel of the company's new direction under Phil Spencer, the current head of Microsoft's Xbox division. [45]

Updates

Microsoft aims to release frequent updates to the Xbox System Software, mainly containing new or improved features and faster installation and loading times for games and apps. [46] Along with introducing improvements and fixes for native console apps and software, the monthly updates to the Xbox System Software introduce major features that are voted on or requested by the community, [47] though some months have included more than one update. Starting in February 2014, beta releases of updates are tested [48] before going live to check for unwanted bugs and stability. [49]

The following table lists major updates to the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S system software.

Update releaseUpdateRef
November 2013Day-one patch for removal of always-on digital rights management features originally announced at E3 2013 [50] [51]
February 2014Support for USB keyboards, disk space availability [52]
March 2014Support for video output at 50 frames per second for 50 Hz devices common in Europe/PAL regions [53]
June 2014Support for external hard drives greater than 256  GBs, and multiple hard drives via USB 3.0 [54]
July 2014Improved voice recognition support for regional dialects [55]
August 2014Support for SmartGlass [56]
October 2014Updated media player support with newer codecs and DLNA streaming support [57]
March 2015Simplified online screenshot sharing [58]
April 2015Modified power settings for Instant-On and energy saving mode [59]
November 2015New Xbox One Experience interface based on Windows 10; streaming to Windows 10 personal computers; backward compatibility for several Xbox 360 games [60] [61] [62] [63] [64]
February 2016Better customized pin and game display support, global leaderboards [65]
March 2016 Twitch integration; party chat; better Xbox 360 game integration; improved Game Hubs; system restore without deleting games or apps [66] [67]
July 2016Refreshed interface, Cortana voice command integration, Facebook integration [68]
March 2017Refreshed interface, improved screenshot and video sharing controls; Beam integration; accessibility improvements [69]
October 2017Update to Fluent Design System; content transfer system; support for USB webcams; backward compatibility support for original Xbox console games [70]
April 2018Auto low-latency mode; support for FreeSync displays; support for up to 1440p resolutions; Mixer and Twitter integration [71]
May 2018Support for 120 Hz refresh rate; support for "Groups" for managing games and pings; improved Family Settings; captive portal connectivity support [72] [73]
September 2020Interface updates across Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox mobile apps to improve performance [74] [75] [76]
November 2020Dynamic backgrounds; tags for "Optimized for Series X/S" games and backward compatible HDR games [77]
March 2021FPS boost; certain backwards compatible games can now achieve 60 FPS on the Series X/S line of consoles [78]
April 2021Option to suspend active games to prioritize download speeds [79]
May 2021Added ability for users to enable passthrough audio, for better sound quality [80]
August 2021Updated Windows core to match Windows 11 [81]
September 2021Add Dolby Vision support on Series X/S; update Microsoft Edge to Chromium version; streaming to Windows 11 personal computers [81]
October 20214K Dashboard for Series X; night mode; quick settings [81]
November 2021Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) support; accessibility update [81]
February 2022Use Microsoft Edge to set custom backgrounds [81]
June 2022Option to reveal Secret Achievements [82]
September 2022Games and apps library streamlined; Change default installation locations; Party chat noise suppression; Windows 11 22H2 core update [83]
October 2022Games and apps library the icon for disc-based titles is not appearing on the dashboard; Power option names simplified; Xbox passkeys and guest keys are now on Xbox PINs [84]
November 2022 Discord support; Send as Gift on Microsoft Store; Streaming with Twitch, Lightstream, and Streamlabs [85]
July 2023Another UI change [86]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DirectX</span> Collection of multimedia related APIs on Microsoft platforms

Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. Originally, the names of these APIs all began with "Direct", such as Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay, DirectSound, and so forth. The name DirectX was coined as a shorthand term for all of these APIs and soon became the name of the collection. When Microsoft later set out to develop a gaming console, the X was used as the basis of the name Xbox to indicate that the console was based on DirectX technology. The X initial has been carried forward in the naming of APIs designed for the Xbox such as XInput and the Cross-platform Audio Creation Tool (XACT), while the DirectX pattern has been continued for Windows APIs such as Direct2D and DirectWrite.

The Xbox network, formerly known as Xbox LIVE, is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Gaming for the Xbox brand. It was first made available to the original Xbox console on November 15, 2002. An updated version of the service became available for the Xbox 360 console at the system's launch in November 2005, and a further enhanced version was released in 2013 with the Xbox One. This same version is also used with Xbox Series X and Series S. This service, in addition to a Microsoft account, is the account for Xbox ecosystem; accounts can store games and other content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">XLink Kai</span> Program allowing for online play of video games

XLink Kai is a program developed by Team XLink allowing for online play of video games with support for LAN multiplayer modes. It enables players on the GameCube, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita / PlayStation TV, Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One to play games across the Internet using a network configuration that simulates a local area network (LAN). It notably also allows original Xbox games to be played online again following the Xbox Live shutdown on 21 April 2010 and certain GameSpy titles such as Saints Row 2 to be played online after the GameSpy network shutdown on 31 May 2014.

Xbox Games Store is a digital distribution platform currently used by Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game console and formerly by the Xbox One. The service allows users to download or purchase video games, add-ons for existing games, game demos along with other miscellaneous content such as gamer pictures and Dashboard themes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Live Vision</span> Webcam accessory for the Xbox 360

Xbox Live Vision is a webcam accessory that was developed as an accessory for the Xbox 360 video game console. It was announced at E3 2006 and was released in North America on September 19, 2006, Europe and Asia on October 2, 2006, and Japan on November 2, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Games for Windows – Live</span> Former online gaming service

Games for Windows – Live or GFWL was an online gaming service used by Games for Windows–branded PC titles that enables Windows PCs to connect to Microsoft's Live service. Users, each with a unique Gamertag, are able to play online, keep track of their friends' status, send and receive messages, gain and keep track of Achievements and associated Gamerscore, voice chat across platforms, and more. Some games allow for cross-platform play, such as Shadowrun, putting Windows players against Xbox 360 players.

Games for Windows is a discontinued brand owned by Microsoft and introduced in 2006 to coincide with the release of the Windows Vista operating system. The brand itself represents a standardized technical certification program and online service for Windows games, bringing a measure of regulation to the PC game market in much the same way that console manufacturers regulate their platforms. The branding program was open to both first-party and third-party publishers.

The Xbox 360 is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. As the successor to the original Xbox, it is the second console in the Xbox series. It competed with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. It was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information announced later that month at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox (console)</span> Video game console by Microsoft

The Xbox is a home video game console manufactured by Microsoft that is the first installment in the Xbox series of video game consoles. It was released as Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console market on November 15, 2001, in North America, followed by Australia, Europe and Japan in 2002. It is classified as a sixth-generation console, competing with Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's GameCube. It was also the first major console produced by an American company since the release of the Atari Jaguar in 1993.

Xbox Avatars are avatars and characters that represent users of the Xbox network service on the Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S video game consoles, Windows 10, and Windows 10 Mobile. Avatars originally debuted on the Xbox 360 as part of the "New Xbox Experience" system update released on November 19, 2008, updated on Xbox One with "New Xbox One Experience" Xbox One System Software on November 12, 2015, and reimagined with the release of the next generation character for Xbox One on October 11, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinect</span> Motion-sensing input device for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One

Kinect is a line of motion sensing input devices produced by Microsoft and first released in 2010. The devices generally contain RGB cameras, and infrared projectors and detectors that map depth through either structured light or time of flight calculations, which can in turn be used to perform real-time gesture recognition and body skeletal detection, among other capabilities. They also contain microphones that can be used for speech recognition and voice control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft Store</span> Digital distribution platform for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One and Series X/S

The Microsoft Store is a digital distribution platform operated by Microsoft. It was created as an app store for Windows 8 as the primary means of distributing Universal Windows Platform apps. With Windows 10 1803, Microsoft merged its other distribution platforms into Microsoft Store, making it a unified distribution point for apps, console games, and digital videos. Digital music was included until the end of 2017, and E-books were included until 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox (app)</span> Software

The Xbox app is an app for Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11, Android, iOS and Tizen. It acts as a companion app for Xbox video game consoles, providing access to Xbox network community features, remote control, as well as second screen functionality with selected games, applications, and content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox</span> Video gaming brand owned by Microsoft

Xbox is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, as well as applications (games), streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online services such as the Xbox network and Xbox Game Pass. The brand is produced by Microsoft Gaming, a division of Microsoft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox One</span> Video game console developed by Microsoft

The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third console in the Xbox series. It was first released in North America, parts of Europe, Australia, and South America in November 2013 and in Japan, China, and other European countries in September 2014. It is the first Xbox game console to be released in China, specifically in the Shanghai Free-Trade Zone. Microsoft marketed the device as an "all-in-one entertainment system", hence the name "Xbox One". An eighth-generation console, it mainly competed against Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Wii U and later the Switch.

The ninth generation of video game consoles began in November 2020 with the releases of Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Series S console family and Sony's PlayStation 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Series X and Series S</span> Home video game consoles developed by Microsoft

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the fourth generation of consoles in the Xbox series. Released on November 10, 2020, the higher-end Xbox Series X and lower-end Xbox Series S are part of the ninth generation of video game consoles, which also includes Sony's PlayStation 5, released the same month. Both superseded the Xbox One.

References

  1. "About system updates on Xbox One". Xbox Official Site. Microsoft. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  2. Fahey, Mike (September 22, 2020). "Sign Up Now For The New Xbox Live Preview Program". Kotaku . Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  3. Dent, Steve (March 3, 2015). "Microsoft gives the Xbox 360 its own preview program". Engadget. AOL Inc. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  4. Hryb, Larry (March 2, 2015). "Xbox 360 Preview Program". Major Nelson Via Microsoft Corporation. Major Nelson blog/news. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  5. Kamen, Matt (November 8, 2016). "Microsoft opens Xbox Preview Program to everyone. Here's how to become a tester". Wired UK . Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  6. Eric Qualls. "Xbox 360 Backward Compatibility". Lifewire.
  7. Dornbush, Jonathon (June 15, 2015). "Play your old Xbox 360 games on Xbox One starting this holiday". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  8. Grant, Christopher (October 23, 2017). "Original Xbox compatibility, and 13 games, arriving on Xbox One tomorrow". Polygon . Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  9. Orland, Kyle (July 16, 2020). "Xbox Series X won't support Kinect hardware, games". Ars Technica. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "OneCore to rule them all: How Windows Everywhere finally happened". Ars Technica . May 20, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  11. 1 2 Warren, Tom (May 21, 2020). "Xbox and Windows NT 3.5 source code leaks online".
  12. Trinder, Garry. "The Xbox Operating System". Xbox Engineering. MSDN. Archived from the original on November 2, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  13. "Xbox Live Arrives in Stores, Sparking the Next Revolution in Video Games". Stories. November 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  14. "Xbox Live Starter Kits Virtually Sell Out in First Week of Sales". Stories. November 22, 2002. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  15. "Remember the original Xbox dashboard? Major Nelson looks back". OnMSFT.com. November 15, 2016. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  16. Campbell, Ian Carlos (May 13, 2021). "The original Xbox background is here to haunt the Xbox Series X / S". The Verge . Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  17. Dybwad, Barb (September 15, 2015). "Xbox 360 launch date is November 22". Engadget. AOL Inc. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  18. 1 2 "Xbox 360 Operating System Versions and System Updates". beta.support.xbox.com. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  19. "How to Update Xbox 360 without Internet or Xbox Live". helpdeskgeek.com. Help Desk Geek. January 12, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  20. "How to get a new Xbox 360 update". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Faulkener, Cameron (February 26, 2020). "A visual history of the many Xbox dashboards". The Verge . Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  22. 1 2 Ryan Geddes (October 9, 2008). "IGN: Avatars Required". Xboxlive.ign.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  23. "Install Entire games onto Xbox 360 Hard Drive". Archived from the original on July 18, 2008.
  24. "Microsoft unveils new Xbox Live interface". July 14, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  25. "Microsoft Announces Avatars for the Xbox 360". Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  26. "Xbox 360 Fall '08 Dashboard update adds 16x10 widescreen, expanded resolutions". Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
  27. Hryb, Larry (October 4, 2010). "Xbox LIVE Update Preview Program". Major Nelson. Archived from the original on October 4, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  28. "New Xbox Experience". giantbomb.com.
  29. Chubb, Justin (October 9, 2010). "Xbox 360 Dashboard Update: Release Date and Details". Product Reviews. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  30. Mitchell, Richard (June 6, 2011). "Xbox getting Kinect-powered dashboard update, coming Fall 2011". Joystiq. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  31. "Xbox Live's Major Nelson » Xbox 360 Dashboard update coming December 6th". Majornelson.com. November 22, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  32. 1 2 Anthony, Sebastian (May 23, 2013). "Xbox One: Hardware and software specs detailed and analyzed". ExtremeTech. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  33. 1 2 "What's new: Xbox One system updates". Xbox Official Site. Microsoft. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  34. "Set up your Xbox One console". Xbox Official Site. Microsoft. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  35. "How to use the Offline System Update Diagnostic Tool on Xbox One". Xbox Official Site. Microsoft. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  36. Xbox One's New Update Possibly Most Significant in Console History, Microsoft Says
  37. 1 2 Tach, Dave (August 10, 2015). "Phil Spencer is obliterating the distinction between Xbox and PC, and he's just getting started". Polygon. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  38. Sarkar, Samit (January 21, 2015). "Windows 10 bringing universal Windows apps to Xbox One". Polygon. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  39. Makuch, Eddie (September 9, 2015). "Xbox One Is "Literally a Windows Device"". GameSpot. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  40. Makuch, Eddie (September 14, 2015). "New Xbox One Update Will Make Some Functionality 50 Percent Faster". GameSpot. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  41. Crecente, Brian (March 30, 2016). "Starting today, anyone can turn their Xbox One into a dev kit for free". Polygon. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  42. Rexly Peñaflorida. "Microsoft Transforms Retail Xbox One Into A Dev Kit, Adding Mods And Overlay To Windows 10 Gaming". Tomshardware.com. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  43. Warren, Tom (August 19, 2020). "Microsoft's Xbox Series X dashboard has a new rounded design and speed improvements". The Verge . Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  44. Pope, Travis (December 31, 2013). "The Xbox One Proves Microsoft Needs to Reign In Metro". GottaBeMobile. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  45. Thier, Dave (June 16, 2015). "Microsoft Is Totally Redesigning The Xbox One User Interface". Forbes. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  46. Weir, Andy (July 24, 2014). "Microsoft: Xbox One monthly updates will keep on coming". Neowin.
  47. Phillips, Tom (October 6, 2014). "Microsoft launches Xbox Feedback website, asks for your ideas". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  48. "Xbox One Preview program FAQ". Xbox Official Site. Microsoft. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  49. McWhertor, Michael (February 20, 2014). "Xbox One beta program lets console owners preview future system updates". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  50. Schreier, Jason (June 19, 2013). "Microsoft Is Removing Xbox One DRM". Kotaku. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  51. Gilbert, Ben (November 8, 2013). "Your new Xbox One won't do much without the day one patch". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  52. Peckham, Matt (February 5, 2014). "Microsoft's Xbox One Update to Bring Common Sense Back to the Console". Time. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  53. Cook, Dave (February 28, 2014). "Xbox One 50hz option & controller patch shown in photos as March update previews begin". VG247. Retrieved September 5, 2015 via OXM.
  54. Westaway, Luke (June 4, 2014). "Xbox One update brings external storage support, real names in Xbox Live". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  55. Whitney, Lance (July 8, 2014). "Xbox One update will better understand certain accents". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  56. Steele, Billy (August 18, 2014). "Latest Xbox One update adds remote game buying, 3D Blu-ray". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  57. Machkovach, Sam (October 16, 2014). "Latest Xbox One update adds MKV support, quicker voiceless commands". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  58. McWhertor, Michael (March 10, 2015). "Xbox One March update rolling out, includes screenshots, friend suggestions and more". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  59. Good, Owen S. (April 12, 2015). "Xbox One, responding to criticism, to offer energy-saving options at initial setup". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  60. Tach, Dave (July 8, 2015). "Xbox One's latest update prepares for Windows 10 streaming and 360 compatibility". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  61. Good, Owen S. (July 19, 2015). "Xbox One streaming to Windows 10 is available now". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  62. Campbell, Colin (March 5, 2015). "Here's what you need to know about streaming Xbox One games to PC and tablet". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  63. Ohannessian, Kevin (November 12, 2015). "How Microsoft Created A New Xbox Experience". Co.Design. Fast Company & Inc. Mansueto Ventures, LLC. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  64. Kamen, Matt (February 18, 2016). "Xbox One gets biggest software update in months". Wired UK. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  65. "Xbox February update hits Xbox One tomorrow, Windows 10 today". VG247.com. February 18, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  66. Hryb, Larry (March 2016). "Coming To Preview: Buy Xbox 360 Games On Xbox One, 16-Person Party Chat And More". Major Nelson. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  67. Morris, Tatiana (March 10, 2016). "Xbox One update brings new features to preview members". Gamezone.com. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  68. Ybarra, Mike (June 6, 2016). "More Social, More Games, More Devices  What's in the Xbox Update Coming this Summer". Xbox Wire. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  69. Frederiksen, Eric (March 29, 2017). "Xbox One's March update gives the console a makeover". Technobuffalo. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  70. Matt, Brown (October 11, 2017). "Xbox One fall update (1710) complete changelog".
  71. Tuttle, Will (April 24, 2018). "The April Xbox Update Begins Rolling Out Today". Xbox Wire. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  72. Rossetti, Bradley (April 20, 2018). "May Xbox Update Adds Groups, High Refresh Rate, and More". Xbox Wire. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  73. Coppock, Mark (April 17, 2017). "Latest Xbox One Insider build adds Party Overlay, new Arena game incoming". Digital Trends. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  74. Warren, Tom (August 19, 2020). "Microsoft's Xbox Series X dashboard has a new rounded design and speed improvements". The Verge . Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  75. Stephan, Bijan (September 28, 2020). "Microsoft's new digital Xbox store now available to all Xbox One owners". The Verge . Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  76. Watts, Steve (September 28, 2020). "Xbox Series X: Here's How Much Storage Space It Actually Lets You Use". GameSpot . Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  77. Warren, Tom (November 30, 2020). "First Xbox Series X update rolling out with more dynamic backgrounds and UI changes". The Verge . Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  78. Brown, Matt (March 20, 2021). "Xbox Series X/S FPS Boost: Games list, what you should know". Windows Central . Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  79. "Xbox Support". support.xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  80. "Xbox Support - Xbox Audio Passthrough". support.xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  81. 1 2 3 4 5 "What's new: Xbox system updates". support.xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  82. "Xbox Support".
  83. "Xbox Support".
  84. "Xbox Support".
  85. "Xbox Support".
  86. "Xbox Support".