Windows 11 is finally great for gamers again thanks to this new feature
The Dev Home app is great for gamers
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Microsoftrecently released a new app in a preview build ofWindows 11called Dev Home, which allows users to monitor how their system is running. Though it’s primarily a developer tool, consumers may find its widget system to be of great use as well – in fact, it could be of particular help to PC gamers.
Once you download the app, it enables a widget feature that lets you monitor various processes for system resources, like how CPU, GPU, system memory, or your network connection are currently performing.
While it runs a bit clunkily andcan be a hassle to enableproperly, the concept is an excellent one, potentially giving gamers a built-in overlay that could entirely replace third-party monitoring software. If Microsoft chooses to stabilize and flesh this app out more in the future, it could become a great tool for gamers.
How will it help gamers?
It’s no secret that Windows 11 has given gamers the short end of the stick. Between theAMDRyzen 7 5800X3D gaming processor bug thatprevents owners from installing the OSin the first place, the VBS (Virtualization Based Security)throttling gaming performance, andgeneral Windows performance jankiness, the OS has frequently been a source of frustration for gamers.
However, Dev Home’s widget system is a great way to right many of those wrongs. The widgets provide a simple way to monitor the status of your PC’s CPU, GPU, and other components. According toPCGamesN, there are widgets that report your CPU’s speed and utilization, and your GPU’s speed and temperature. And if you have multiple GPUs installed, you can use another widget to toggle between different graphics cards at will.
There are so many potential uses for Dev Home’s widget system and, due to the actual ease of use once you’ve jumped through the hoops required to install it, it can be easily updated with tons of widgets that offer even more features and tools.
Could it take the place of manufacturer software?
As of right now, your system-monitoring software of choice – be it Alienware Command Center, Asus ROG Gaming Center,MSIDragon Center, or one of the many other options – is safe and sound in its usefulness.
While the Dev Home app is quite useful as is, it’s still in preview mode and therefore unstable - not to mention the fact that you’ll need to be signed up to access preview builds of Windows 11 in order to download it. There’s a chance that the widgets you set up could become unresponsive or even disappear from the board.
That said, if theDev Home preview appproves to be popular among Windows 11 users, Microsoft could absolutely turn it into a fully fleshed-out and permanent application for its OS. This would give gamers a powerful, all-in-one tool for monitoring their PC components without having to install tons of separate software. Fingers crossed!
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Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.
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