Skip to main content

Windows 10 users could see a performance-enhancing ‘game mode’

Microsoft might have a few surprises in store for us in the coming months, including a new “game mode” for Windows 10. Some keen-eyed Windows Insiders recently spotted a “gamemode.dll” file in a leaked version of Windows 10, but we have yet to see precisely what that file might do and when it will become a part of the Windows 10 experience.

According to MS Power User, you probably should not get your hopes up. Microsoft has its hands full with the Creators Update and probably won’t focus resources on any additional features until after the update rolls out. But the presence of the DLL (dynamic-link library) does suggest that Microsoft has some plans in store for potentially improving gaming performance on Windows 10 in the future.

Recommended Videos

.@h0x0d looks like Windows will adjust its resource allocation logic (for CPU/Gfx etc.) to prioritize the "Game" when running in "Game Mode"

— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) December 28, 2016

The enthusiast who first spotted the DLL suggested that it might be used to allocate resources more efficiently when games are running, which could improve performance by a considerable margin. It definitely makes sense as part of Microsoft’s larger push to improve gaming on Windows 10 — and keep it intimately tied to the Xbox gaming experience.

As MS Power User points out, the Creators Update is focused on creative professionals, but it will include some major improvements to the overall gaming experience. One such feature ties updated graphics drivers to games downloaded from the Windows Store, making it easier to keep your drivers up to date and reducing reliance on third-party tools to notify you when drivers are available.

This update goes hand in hand with the deepening integration between Windows 10 and the Xbox ecosystem, which already includes expanded support for Xbox peripherals on Windows 10 PCs. Microsoft reportedly has plans to bring Xbox Wireless to the PC in the coming year, including a number of cross-platform peripherals like headsets and controllers.

Jaina Grey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jaina Grey is a Seattle-based journalist with over a decade of experience covering technology, coffee, gaming, and AI. Her…
Windows 10 security risks are now more of a reality for users
Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating system logos are displayed on laptop screens.

It appears more and more Windows 10 users may be finally ready to let go of the legacy operating system ahead of the end of its life status on October 14. Microsoft has been urging system users to update to the latest Windows 11 software before that date and after months of ignoring the call, tens of millions of users are now opting in to the update.

Figures from StatCounter indicate that the percentage of Windows 10 usage has now dipped below 60% for the first time with 58.7% of global users running the system as of February 2025. Meanwhile, stats for Windows 11 are slowly creeping up toward 40% with 38.2% of global users running this version of Microsoft’s OS.

Read more
Qualcomm’s next chip could boost your Windows performance, new leak suggests
Focus on the silicon logo atop the lid of Dell XPS 13 with Snapdragon X Elite processor.

Qualcomm is reportedly developing its next-generation high-end processor for Windows PCs, the Snapdragon X2. The new chip is expected to feature a significant increase in core count, boasting up to 18 Oryon V3 cores.

As per information shared by WinFuture, the Snapdragon X2, identified by the model number SC8480XP, is anticipated to adopt a system-in-package (SiP) design, integrating both RAM and flash storage directly within the processor package. Leaked import-export documents suggest configurations may include up to 48GB of SK hynix RAM and a 1TB SSD. This integration aims to enhance data transfer speeds and energy efficiency by reducing latency between components.

Read more
Windows 10 KB5051974 update adds a new app without asking
A Dell laptop with Windows 10 sitting on a desk.

Microsoft has released the KB5051974 cumulative update for versions 22H2 and 21H2, adding security fixes and patching a memory leak. However, as Bleeping Computer reports, the update also includes a surprise: the new Outlook for Windows app.

The update is mandatory because it includes the January 2025 Patch Tuesday security updates. Once you install it, you will notice the new app icon near the classic one in the Start Menu's apps section. Since the new app can operate concurrently, you don't have to worry about interfering with the old one.

Read more