The Xbox app on Windows DESPERATELY needs to add this essential Steam feature that I can’t live without

The Xbox app on Windows DESPERATELY needs to add this essential Steam feature that I can't live without

As a seasoned tech enthusiast with a family and a full-time job, I can’t help but feel the pain of the digital domino effect that large game downloads can cause at home. The latest titles are indeed bulky, and even with top-notch internet connections, they seem to have an insatiable appetite for bandwidth.


Experiencing network congestion is common when downloading the newest games due to their expanding file sizes. Regardless of having a top-tier internet connection, transferring such large amounts of data from a distant server to your device can be taxing. Moreover, these game download clients often consume as much bandwidth as they can.

If you frequently utilize Steam, chances are you’ve encountered its option to regulate downloads to prevent such issues. However, in my case, as I primarily use Steam, I hadn’t given it a thought when downloading Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 via the Xbox app on Windows 11 instead. It wasn’t until my wife, who was also working from home, exclaimed that the internet had stopped functioning and she couldn’t perform her tasks, that I realized my oversight.

It seems like there was no issue with the internet, but it appears that downloading Call of Duty consumed all available resources. I didn’t realize the Xbox app would require so much data, given my limited use of it. However, most of my games are on Steam, where I’ve restricted its access to preserve my internet speed. It seems Microsoft should implement a similar feature in the Xbox app to avoid arguments over bandwidth among gamers and their families.

How it works on Steam

The Xbox app on Windows DESPERATELY needs to add this essential Steam feature that I can't live without

In my situation, I find myself partially inconvenienced by my own laziness. Despite having a 900mbps internet connection, I’m still utilizing an older Wi-Fi 5 mesh kit which is significantly slower. This realization has prompted me to expedite the setup of my new kit without delay. However, I’m not entirely certain that if I couldn’t limit the Xbox app like I can with Steam, the situation would be any better.

On Steam, you have the ability to manage your downloads by setting a limit within the settings. To access this feature, simply navigate to Settings, then select the Downloads tab. Here, you’ll find an option to enable a download limit. By turning on the toggle and entering a value in the provided box (adjusted according to your internet connection), you can control how much data is being downloaded at any given time. For instance, I have mine set at 150mbps, which, despite my current mesh kit’s limitations, allows for ample internet usage by others in the house. If I’m using the internet alone, I can easily disable this limit and maximize my download speed.

Essentially, what I’m saying is that I have the authority to manage things. Even if these large files require more time for downloading, I can ensure that my entire network remains unaffected. Whether my wife is working from home, kids are gaming, or we’re all watching Netflix, I prefer not to hear complaints about the Wi-Fi being down when it’s functioning perfectly fine. In essence, I’m utilizing all of its resources.

If the Xbox app isn’t going to limit itself, then let us do it

The Xbox app on Windows DESPERATELY needs to add this essential Steam feature that I can't live without

It’s not an exaggeration to say that downloading Black Ops 6 through the Xbox app literally rendered my network unusable. I hadn’t noticed myself as I was writing in a text editor, but my wife couldn’t get onto any of her work, my kid’s TV started buffering, and it was all my fault. I couldn’t even load a simple web page on my phone while trying to troubleshoot, yet the Xbox app was happily downloading my game. As soon as I paused it, everyone was happy again.

I haven’t encountered this problem with my Xbox console or my son’s, but the Xbox app appears to be quite persistent in using up resources. If there’s such a limitation, we should quickly implement a Steam-like feature to set our own usage limits.

Isn’t there an option to control game or update downloads when you’re actively playing? This suggests that if you need your internet connection for other tasks, continuous downloading might not be ideal. Couldn’t we then apply similar limits in other areas to maintain peace at home?

Please, Microsoft, I’m begging you.

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2024-10-29 14:39