Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop.
Xbox The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Hardware Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
ROG Xbox Ally X sitting on orange beanie next to white Xbox wireless controller with Fallout New Vegas main menu on screen.
Xbox The next Xbox will apparently use Windows, and that's the last thing I want to hear
Steam Machine on left and Xbox Series X on right with AMD Radeon red liquid graphic in backdrop.
PC Gaming "Valve is on track" - AMD just put my Steam Machine fears to rest while hinting that a new Xbox could show up in 2027
Steam Machine with beige backdrop and sad face on front made from closed bracket and colon.
Games "I could see $1,000": Steam Machine is "a PC with console benefits," analyst says, "next Xbox" will be "just like it"
Close up of blue Steam Machine light bar with beige backdrop.
Games Steam Machine could be partly to blame for PlayStation's reported plans to step back from PC, Bluepoint dev suggests
Upcoming Xbox Series Games banner image showing Jason from GTA 6, Marcus from Gears of War E-Day, a steampunk robotic figure in Clockwork Revolution, and Fable's protagonist speaking with a man who has a sword
FPS Games Upcoming Xbox Series X games for 2026 and beyond
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Xbox Xbox Project Helix announced, "next generation console" will "play your Xbox and PC games," Microsoft says
Gears 5
Hardware Early Xbox Project Helix specs promise "next-generation" AI upscaling as Microsoft tries to win the next-gen console war
Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop.
Xbox Xbox Project Helix dev kits to roll out in 2027, narrowing possible launch window as Microsoft doubles down on PC
Fable 4
Xbox What to expect from Xbox in 2026
Angled view of Steam Machine with glowing edges and Steam game artwork panels in backdrop.
Desktop PCs The Steam Machine is on the way, so here's everything I need you to know before Valve's mini PC lands
Xbox Series X
Xbox "You will hear more about that soon": New Xbox boss is "committed to returning to Xbox," and that "starts with console"
Xbox Series X store app top free games including Fortnite
Games How to download free Xbox Series X games
Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
Xbox How to set up your Xbox Series X to get gaming as quickly as possible
  1. Games
  2. FPS
  3. Xbox Series X

Xbox Series X may support Steam and Epic Games Store, according to latest rumours

News
By Heather Wald published 10 January 2020

The Xbox Series X rumours suggest it may feature a "Windows mode"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Microsoft)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Microsoft's Xbox Series X next-gen console may support Steam and the Epic Games Store, according to rumours circulating among supposed insiders in the Xbox community.

As with any rumour, this information is to be taken with a large pinch of salt, but the rumours suggest that the Xbox Series X may feature a "Windows mode" that enables players to switch the console's operating system to Windows 10, which would give you access to the Steam and Epic Games Store platforms. If true, you could essentially transform the console into a PC, and gain access to a whole library of games you might not otherwise be able to play on Xbox. 

It's especially interesting when you take into account games like Quantic Dream's Detroit: Become Human or Heavy Rain that were originally  PS4 exclusives before coming to PC late last year. There are also rumours circulating that Horizon Zero Dawn could be getting a PC port, which would mean Xbox players could potentially play it on the Xbox Series X if this Windows mode turns out to be true. 

You may like
  • Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop. The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
  • Xbox Project Helix logo on black background Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
  • ROG Xbox Ally X sitting on orange beanie next to white Xbox wireless controller with Fallout New Vegas main menu on screen. The next Xbox will apparently use Windows, and that's the last thing I want to hear

The idea isn't such an unrealistic one. Microsoft has been pushing to create a cohesive, unified family of platforms since the launch of the Xbox one, with features such as cross-play on PC and console, and of course backwards compatibility. We already know the Xbox Series X backwards compatibility will support every generation of console including the original Xbox, giving you access to a huge library of classic Xbox games. 

Just from the outward appearance, the console even looks like a PC tower, and it would make sense if the Xbox Series X supports Microsoft's operating system. While we'll have no way of knowing just how accurate these rumours are for now, it's an exciting prospect. 

Excited about the next-gen console? Here are all of the upcoming Xbox Series X games confirmed so far, or check out the video below to see some of the incredible games coming in 2020: 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Xbox Series X Platforms Xbox
Heather Wald
Heather Wald
Social Links Navigation
Evergreen Editor, Games

Heather Wald is the Evergreen Editor, Games at GamesRadar+. Her writing career began on a student-led magazine at Bath Spa University, where she earned a BA (Hons) in English literature. Heather landed her first role writing about tech and games for Stuff Magazine shortly after graduating with an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University. Now with almost seven years of experience working with GamesRadar+ on the features team, Heather helps to develop, maintain, and expand the evergreen features that exist on the site for games, as well as spearhead the Indie Spotlight series. You'll also see her contribute op-eds, interview-led features, and more. In her spare time, you'll likely find Heather tucking into RPGs and indie games, reading romance novels, and drinking lots of tea.

Read more
Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop.
Xbox The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
 
 
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Hardware Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
 
 
ROG Xbox Ally X sitting on orange beanie next to white Xbox wireless controller with Fallout New Vegas main menu on screen.
Xbox The next Xbox will apparently use Windows, and that's the last thing I want to hear
 
 
Steam Machine on left and Xbox Series X on right with AMD Radeon red liquid graphic in backdrop.
PC Gaming "Valve is on track" - AMD just put my Steam Machine fears to rest while hinting that a new Xbox could show up in 2027
 
 
Steam Machine with beige backdrop and sad face on front made from closed bracket and colon.
Games "I could see $1,000": Steam Machine is "a PC with console benefits," analyst says, "next Xbox" will be "just like it"
 
 
Close up of blue Steam Machine light bar with beige backdrop.
Games Steam Machine could be partly to blame for PlayStation's reported plans to step back from PC, Bluepoint dev suggests
 
 
Latest in FPS
Marathon Cryo Archive runners looting
FPS Games Marathon's Cryo Archive is locked to weekends partly because you're going to "lose a lot of gear"
 
 
A robot missing its lower body stares forward with a glowing red light while hanging from a suspended cable in Marathon's Cryo Archive
FPS Games Marathon's Cryo Archive is a weekends-only "raid-style" PvPvE map: "So please, do scream"
 
 
FPS Games Overwatch was originally called "Monetized Shooter" because you had to buy each of its heroes
 
 
Marathon assassin runner shell face with red eyes
FPS Games Marathon streamer goes viral for finding a high school bestfriend in proximity chat after 10 years
 
 
Legend of California screenshot showing a man hunting some buffalo
FPS Games New game from the creator of Overwatch gets its first public Steam playtest later this month
 
 
Counter-Strike 2
FPS Games Valve thinks reloading in Counter-Strike 2 needed "higher stakes" after 27 years, so leftover ammo is getting dumped
 
 
Latest in News
Palworld
Survival Games "We have no desire to be a media empire," says Palworld publishing head but Pocketpair would be stupid to let it die out
 
 
Protagonist Jordan in a screenshot from the reveal trailer for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
The Last of Us Neil Druckmann's teasing the return of a The Last of Us actor in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
 
 
A screenshot of the Adoring Fan seen in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.
The Elder Scrolls Todd Howard says Oblivion leaks didn't help Bethesda or players: "Everyone is gonna have a different version"
 
 
Slay the Spire 2
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 devs respond to the flurry of negative Steam reviews: "No change is necessarily permanent"
 
 
Crimson Desert
Open World Games "My dream game": After 7 hours, Palworld publishing lead delivers his Crimson Desert verdict: "This game is made for me"
 
 
Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring.
Pokemon "The biggest time save in nearly a decade of Pokemon speedrunning" has been discovered in FireRed
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Starfield screenshot showing the new Anchor Point location
    1
    How your feedback helped shape Starfield's biggest updates: "We're always checking in," says Bethesda
  2. 2
    Baldur's Gate 3 Shadowheart writer sat down with Lae'zel counterpart to help romance make sense
  3. 3
    Project Hail Mary has convinced me to start getting excited for Star Wars: Starfighter
  4. 4
    "We have no desire to be a media empire," says Palworld publishing head but Pocketpair would be stupid to let it die out
  5. 5
    Neil Druckmann's teasing the return of a The Last of Us actor in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...