Next Xbox Console’s Only Difference from a Traditional PC is the Ability to Run Xbox One and Series X/S Games
A new report by
Windows Central provides a lot of details on what to expect from Xbox in 2026, revealing exciting details about the upcoming console. The report shows that the plan to run “full bore Windows” on the next Xbox console has remained the same. Thanks to their partnership with AMD, this console’s interface will be delivered through the “Full Screen Experience” in the Xbox PC app, and Microsoft is hard at work to make the app capable of executing it.
The report says that the main difference between the next Xbox console and a traditional PC is the ability to run Xbox One and Series X/S, allowing players to bring forward their existing libraries to the next-gen console. The Xbox President has also confirmed that the next console will be
backwards compatible and will be enhanced with AI.
The report also discusses “credible rumors” about an OEM “Xbox” PC in 2026; however, players are asked to treat this information with caution until it is properly verified.
Next Xbox will reportedly run "full bore Windows" with the 'Full Screen Experience' already available on the app.
insider-gaming.com
Xbox in 2026 — What to expect from Team Green this year, and beyond
Features
By
Jez Corden published 4 hours ago
It's an interesting, and somewhat pivotal year for Xbox in 2026. After a somewhat unprecedented year of negative headlines, Xbox has an opportunity to turn it around this year.
I reported last year that the next Xbox will run full bore Windows, and that is still the plan. In partnership with AMD, the next Xbox will utilize the Windows 11 "Full Screen Experience" with the Xbox PC app to deliver its console interface. Microsoft is working on major updates to the Xbox PC app to accommodate this, bringing it more closely in line with what Xbox console players will expect when engaging with a device on their TV, rather than at their desk.
Where it diverges with a traditional PC is in its ability to actually run games compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Microsoft announced that it's partnering with AMD to enable Xbox games on this PC-like device. Existing Xbox console users' libraries will come forward with them to the new Xbox, as Microsoft continues to commit to backward compatibility in a big way.
I suspect we'll hear more at GDC 2026 about how Xbox plans to modernize its publishing practices to accommodate this new more "open" strategy.
I've been working through some credible rumors that we could see an OEM "Xbox" PC in 2026, but time will tell whether or not that one pans out.