Xbox Consoles Receive Update to Improve Download Speeds

Microsoft has issued a preview system update for its Xbox Series X|S consoles, targeting a long-standing issue with game download speeds. Previously, users often experienced download rates that did not fully utilize their available internet bandwidth.

The core of the update is an "intelligent download client." This system automatically tests connection speeds to various content servers upon initiating a download, selecting the fastest available option. It also periodically re-evaluates these speeds during the download process to maintain optimal performance.

Early testing by Windows Central suggests the update is effective, with pre-load speeds for titles like "Halo: The Master Chief Collection" and "Beast" reaching the full 250 MB/s bandwidth for some users. This marks a considerable improvement over previous performance benchmarks.

While the primary focus is on console performance, reports indicate that download experiences on Xbox PC devices may also see improvements. This update addresses a key area of user feedback regarding download efficiency on the Xbox platform.