Xbox One Anniversary Update (August Update)

Xbox One Anniversary Update now available for download; here’s what’s new

Microsoft delivers the Anniversary Update for Xbox One, and here's the list with new features, changes, and everything that's new.

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@Pureinfotech
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The Windows 10 Anniversary Update for Xbox One (also known as August Update) releases a few days earlier than the PC and Mobile version.

Microsoft begins the roll out of Xbox One System Update 10.0.14393.1018 (rs1_xbox_rel_1608.160725-1822) on July 30th. The summer update brings a slew of changes, including a version of Cortana similar to the desktop version, and background music through app like Groove Music and Pandora. The Windows Store also arrives to the console, Microsoft’s Xbox Play Anywhere that lets you play games titles on your PC or Xbox without paying extra. You can now change the language of the console no matter where you’re located. Your game library gets some interface improvements, and a lot more.

The update is mandatory, as such it will download and install automatically on your console. You can force the download going to Settings > All Settings > System > Console info & updates, and see the OS version.

Alongside the rollout, Microsoft has also released a video walkthrough highlighting the major changes including with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update for Xbox One.

Here’s what’s new with Anniversary Update for Xbox One:

Cortana (U.S. and UK)

  • Talk to Cortana on your Xbox One with your headset or Kinect. To start, just say “Hey Cortana” or launch the Cortana app. If you’re not sure what to say, try “Hey Cortana, what can I say?”
  • If you’re using Kinect, turn on your console by saying, “Hey Cortana, Xbox on.”

My games & apps

  • Your stuff is closer. From Home, move right and select My games & apps.
  • In My games & apps, there are new sorting options.
  • “Ready to Install” has its own area, so you can quickly find the games and apps you’ve purchased but haven’t installed.
  • Game and app updates will show up in their own area, when available.
  • The queue area now tells you what’s been recently installed in addition to what’s in your queue.

Background music

  • Music apps will now be able to play music in the background. In an app that supports background music, just start some music. You’ll be able to switch to other apps and games while the music plays.
  • After starting your music: To play, pause, skip, and adjust music volume from anywhere, double-tap the Xbox button to open the guide, choose Multitasking, then select your music controls.
  • The app must support background music. An updated Pandora app in the U.S. is the first app to support background music—and more are coming soon.

New Store

  • Xbox Store and the Windows Store have come together, making the shopping experience more streamlined. From Home, move right to Store to start browsing all content.
  • Pre-orders now get charged closer to game launch instead of at time of purchase. You can also cancel and change your payment option for pre-orders anytime at account.microsoft.com.
  • Customers in the U.S., Switzerland, Norway, Italy, Germany, and Finland can now use mobile operator billing to make purchases. Customers in China can now use China Union Pay.

Find Facebook friends

  • Find friends from Facebook by linking your Facebook and Xbox Live accounts. In the guide, go to the Friends tab, then choose Friends > Suggestions. Select Find Facebook friends and follow the steps. Your Facebook friends that have done the same will start showing up in your suggestions.

Language & location settings

  • You can now choose your location separately from your system language. To change your language and location, double-tap the Xbox button to open the guide, select Settings > All settings, then choose System > Language & location.
  • All languages aren’t available for all locations. When you choose a language that isn’t usually associated with your location, most of the system will be in your chosen language, but you may see a mix of languages in areas like Store or online content.

Top PC games on Xbox Live

  • Top PC games now have game hubs on Xbox Live. Whether you’re on PC, Xbox, or mobile, you’ll see what PC games your friends are playing, share PC game clips and screenshots, and message friends on Xbox Live.
  • On Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, you can join a party chat with your friends no matter what they’re doing.

Control automatic sharing

You can now choose to automatically share your achievements, screenshots, and game clips to your activity feed. To change your sharing settings, go to Settings > Preferences > Activity feed.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.