Microsoft has introduced a new feature called Microsoft Edge Game Assist, which lets you display a full Edge browser window in the Game Bar overlay in Windows 11. With Game Assist, you can find game guides, access services like Discord or Spotify, and watch videos while you play. The browser window can be pinned on top of a game, just like any other Game Bar widget.
Game Assist uses the same profile as the Edge browser, meaning you'll have access to all your saved data, including bookmarks, browsing history, cookies, autofill data, and more. Game Assist is designed to take up as little screen space as possible, but you can resize it or move it around to suit your preferences.
According to Microsoft, 40% of PC gamers look for tips, guides, and other information while playing. To make it easier to find, Game Assist will suggest useful content for the game you're playing on the New Tab page. At the moment, the content is only offered in English and for a limited number of games:
- Baldur's Gate 3
- Diablo IV
- Fortnite
- Hellblade II: Senua's Saga
- League of Legends
- Minecraft
- Overwatch 2
- Roblox
- Valorant
Microsoft Edge Game Assist supports keyboard and mouse input only. The developers promise to add support for portable devices and gamepads in the future. It is also planned to implement support for the compact Game Bar mode.
How to try Microsoft Edge Game Assist?
- Make sure Windows 11 and the Game Bar app are updated to the latest versions.
- Game Assist requires Microsoft Edge Beta (Dev Channel version will also work, but may be less stable).
- Make Microsoft Edge Beta your default browser in Settings > Apps > Default apps . Find Microsoft Edge Beta in the list and click the Default button.
To enable Game Assist and install the widget in Game Bar, follow these steps:
- Open Microsoft Edge Beta, open the Settings and more menu (the "…" button), and select Settings.
- On the page that opens, enter "Game Assist" in the search field.
- Click the "Install widget" button next to "Game Assistant (Preview)".
- If you have not used Microsoft Edge Beta before, after launching the browser, open the "Settings and other" menu (the "…" button) and select "Close Microsoft Edge".
- Launch the browser again and follow the steps from point 4. If the Game Assist setting does not appear, repeat the step with closing the browser several times.
You can now use Game Assist in the Game Bar overlay, which is opened with the WIN + G keyboard shortcut.
Known issues
- The Game Assist widget automatically closes after a period of inactivity.
- Open tabs are restored when you reopen Game Assist, but your navigation history is not saved.
- You cannot right click on links, images, or the page itself.
- Some keyboard shortcuts are not yet supported.
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