Updated Game Mode to allow use of “Full Processing Power” Like an Xbox

The fourth free upgrade to Windows 10 – the Falls Creators Update – will go live on October 17th. According to Microsoft, the update will include a new and improved version of its Game Mode that will allow players’ games to use the full processing power of their device as if it was an Xbox game console.

Game Mode debuted with the Spring Creators Update of Windows 10. The feature is designed to deliver a more consistent performance by allocating CPU and GPU resources to your games processes.

However, previous tests show that Game Mode does not have a lot of effect on the performance of games. In fact, many users prefer to leave the mode turned off. But that doesn’t stop Microsoft from continuing to tweak the feature.

Redmond has announced that the upcoming Fall Creators Update will improve Game Mode. The company said in a blog post:

With the Fall Creators Update, we’ve updated Game Mode, which allows your games to use the full processing power of your device as if it was an Xbox game console, right from a new button on the Game bar. And to take advantage of this power, we have a fantastic lineup of Xbox Play Anywhere games coming including, Cuphead, Forza Motorsport 7, Super Lucky’s Tale and Middle-earth: Shadow of War.

At the moment, it is unknown how much of an improvement this updated Game Mode will have to offer. We can expect more details to arrive over the next month as the release of the Win10 update approaches.

In addition to improving Game Mode, the Fall Creators Update brings some other changes to Windows 10 PCs. The biggest addition is Windows Mixed Reality, a long-teased Microsoft’s platform for cheap VR headsets.

The update will add support for new virtual reality headsets from Microsoft’s PC manufacturing partners including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. These headsets begin to hit the market on October 17th, with prices as low as $299. Some other neat little changes include:

An update to Windows Ink that will allow you to sign a document with your Surface Pen;
An eye tracking mode for people with limited mobility in their hands;
The “files on-demand” feature for OneDrive so that you can navigate everything through the normal file explorer;
A redesigned Photos app.

Microsoft is currently finalizing the Fall Creators Update, which will be available for download through the standard Windows update feature in October.