Xbox Series X Owners, Here Are The Things You (Probably) Didn't Know Your Console Can Do

RJ Pierce, Tech Times 27 November 2021, 07:11 am

The Xbox Series X is one powerful modern gaming console. But you probably didn't know that it can do way more than just play games, just because of how Microsoft designed its hardware.

(Photo : Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
A Microsoft Xbox Series X home video game console, taken on October 27, 2020.

If you're the proud owner of a new Series X, it's time to take things to the next level. Here are five things you (probably) never knew your console can do.

You Can Choose Which Parts Of Games To Install

When downloading games onto a Series X, you don't have to stick with downloading all of the files. This way, you get to save a lot of space, specifically because there's only 802 GB of usable storage space for games.

According to GamesRadar, the Xbox Series X is capable of selectively uninstalling which parts of games that players don't want. Microsoft first introduced this feature back in the Xbox One, but it was only for select games.

This works well enough for gamers who may just want to play the Campaign mode of titles that have separate story and multiplayer modes, such as "Halo Infinite."

(Photo : Steam )
Photo taken from Halo Infinite Steam page

Now you can finally install "Call of Duty: Warzone" without having to worry about your storage space running out too quickly.

Stream And Record Your Gameplay At 4K 60 FPS

Today is the age of game streaming and sharing, and the Xbox Series X is all in on the hype.

Its hardware is powerful enough to actually allow you to capture your gameplay at 4K quality, 60 FPS, then make it ready for sharing to your friends. What's even better is you won't even need to have an external capture card to do so.

Here is a video guide on how to do just that, courtesy of Grow Your Gaming Channel (GYGC) on YouTube:

Reduce Power Consumption By Turning Off 'Instant On' Feature

Microsoft included an "Instant On" feature into the Series X to allow you to power up your gaming console faster, according to IGN. The slight problem here is that this feature increases your system's overall power consumption.

You will be confronted with a choice between Energy-Saving mode and Instant On when you first set up your Xbox Series X. If you choose the latter firsthand, you can turn it off by going to Settings > General > Power Mode and Startup and switching to Energy Saving Mode.

This option could be handy these days, considering you're likely spending much of your time playing games indoors. A smaller power bill never hurts anyone, right?

Use The Xbox Family App To Control What Your Kids Can Play

Online gaming can be a very scary world for children. If you're the parent of a new Series X owner, you won't have to worry much because you can use the Xbox Family Settings to strictly monitor what your child sees and plays on the console.

One nifty feature allows you to set a time limit for how long the console can be played. You can also grant user permission for friend requests and party invitations, to ensure that the folks your kid might potentially encounter online won't be bad apples.

(Photo : Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images)
PRODUCTION - 04 November 2021, Berlin: A man holds a controller of the Xbox Series X gaming console. Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X have been on the market for a year, but there are still supply problems.

Use Your Xbox Series X As An Actual PC

Microsoft, Xbox, and PC are all intertwined. So it shouldn't really be a surprise that with the right hardware, you can literally use your Xbox Series X console as a computer--mouse, keyboard, and all.

YouTuber Linus Sebastian took a closer look at this feature in this video:

As you can see, recent software updates have brought a Chromium-based web browser onto the Series X, which offers full support for keyboard and mouse users.

With this software and hardware combination, you can use your Xbox Series X console as a real computer by browsing the web for what you want, and even do some work on it with access to Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by RJ Pierce