New Xbox home page shows a simple layout for gorgeous backgrounds

Xbox Insiders Xbox home page May 2023
(Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • A new Xbox home page layout is being developed, with a focus on showing off a user's chosen background. 
  • This new home page is now available for Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha rings. 
  • The home page moves the "Games and Apps" section while increasing the number of a user's most recently played games that are displayed.

While the Xbox home page goes through frequent design changes and tweaks, some being more radical than others, the latest design goes a long way for anyone that's been wanting to see more of their background. 

Microsoft shared on Monday that the new Xbox home page layout is available for members of the Xbox Insider Program who are in the Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead rings. As shown in the image above, the new layout has much more blank space, providing room for users to see whatever their chosen background is. The icons for recently-played games have been shrunk, making more space and fitting in more games. 

This new layout also includes a "responsive game art" feature, meaning that whenever you hover over a particular game, the background changes to show art from that game. 

There's no current expected date for this new home page to make its way to regular Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S users. If anyone just can't wait, they can sign up for the Xbox Insider Program by downloading the Xbox Insider Bundle.

Windows Central's take

It's been a very, very long time since I was jealous of something in the Xbox Insiders program, but this new home page has accomplished it. I absolutely love the look, showing off the background and still centering games. Obviously it should be in testing for as long as needed, but I'm hoping the wait for all of us regular users isn't too long.

Samuel Tolbert
Freelance Writer

Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter @SamuelTolbert.