Welcome to the new year Xbox Insiders! We have many new updates for you in the coming months and today the first set of features begins rolling out to the Alpha Skip Ahead and Alpha rings. We’re adding some improvements to Xbox Game Pass Quests, smarter messages, and a few convenient input updates.

The team at Xbox is always striving to improve the Xbox ecosystem based on fan feedback—we appreciate every thought and idea shared! Enjoy trying out these new features and providing your valuable feedback.

Streamlined Xbox Game Pass Quests

Xbox Game Pass Quests are better than ever! As this feature rolls out, you will be able to access quests progress directly from the dash and browse all quests from My Profile. Start earning rewards for playing great games, jump in and try out Xbox Game Pass quests!

Introducing Message Requests

Your messages are getting smarter. Xbox is adding a new Message Requests feature in messaging which will prioritize messages from your friends and anyone you want to communicate with while separating out messages from people you don’t know into a message requests tab.

Like all features in Preview, this is still in development, and we wanted to make you aware that group messaging between 1902 & 1904 builds is not supported (1-to-1 messaging still works fine!).

Mini virtual keyboard

We understand that navigating a virtual keyboard can be a challenge whether you’re writing an LFG post for Apex Legends or inputting a 5×5 code for a new game. In order to improve this experience, we are testing out a new mini virtual keyboard option for Xbox One. This new virtual keyboard makes it easier to navigate and type using a controller. Take it for a spin and let us know what you think.

Restart added to Power Center

Based on user feedback, a new option to restart the console has been added to the Power Center. You can now access this feature quickly by holding down the Xbox button on the controller to bring up the Power Center instead of having to navigate to it within the System tab.

Improved uninstall

When you try to install a new game or app today with a full HDD we send you to your collection to choose what to remove. The new suggested uninstall feature will instead send you to a page that has titles suggested for removal that will free up enough space for your install and to make things even easier it will auto-kickoff the install once the space is freed up!

You can also get to the new drive manager page via Settings > System > Storage to easily manage your existing content and uninstall multiple titles at once.

Programmable button on Xbox media remote

The Xbox media remote is being updated to allow the OneGuide button to be reprogrammed to launch a media app instead of OneGuide. This is a great shortcut to jump into your favorite media app and start watching.

Experiments

A subset of Xbox Insiders may see some experimental features in addition to what’s listed above. These are designed to gauge interest and solicit feedback from a more focused group.

As always, thanks to all the Xbox Insiders for your feedback. Your insight and input are both critical and crucial to making a better Xbox experience for gamers around the world.