Syed Saif Ul Hassan 
Oct 30, 2025
Widely acclaimed, next-gen gaming console Xbox is going to be turned into a Windows-based gaming machine that operates more like a PC than any previous Xbox.
Tech giant Microsoft recently announced plans to strike its Xbox strategy with a surprising transition. Insights revealed that the upcoming Xbox will run a full version of Windows, combined with a user-friendly interface similar to the current Xbox dashboard.
This way, Xbox will allow users to enjoy a console-like experience while also accessing the full Windows desktop for downloading other gaming platforms like Steam or Epic Games Store, as well as software like Microsoft Office.
The same dual functionality was also tested with the Xbox Ally, a handheld device developed in collaboration with ASUS.
Since there's uncertainty about whether it would be a fruitful decision for the company or not, experts are of the view that feedback will help refine the next Xbox hardware.
The notable characteristic of the new console is that it will maintain compatibility with existing Xbox games from previous generations. It will also fine-tune them with new features like AI-based resolution boosting.
The tech giant is also considering the possibility of allowing Windows games to run natively on the future Xbox version in an effort to widen the game library to include popular titles like God of War.
At the heart of this frenzy within Microsoft is the Xbox Game Pass structure, where potential changes are expected to align it with the hybrid nature of the new console.
Although a tentative one, the launch timeline of the next Xbox is 2027. The new Xbox is described as a “premium” product, which gives us the impression that it may cost more than past Xbox consoles but will still be cheaper than a comparable gaming PC.
