Xbox Next would be very similar to a PC and would use Windows with retrocompatibility ensured

The future of Xbox points to a more open console, with PC DNA and total backwards compatibility.

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The start of 2026 is leaving interesting clues about Microsoft’s plans for its next generation of hardware. In recent hours, Jez Corden, a journalist from Windows Central, has shared a fairly clear vision of what is being prepared internally for the so-called Xbox Next.

According to Corden, the next console will be 100% based on Windows, a decision that would mark a significant change in the way Xbox hardware is understood. The idea would be to bring the console experience even closer to that of a traditional PC, while maintaining simplicity and a living room focus.

Xbox Next will bet on Windows and a PC-like experience

• One of the most relevant points is that Xbox Next will use the “Full Screen Experience” of the Xbox app on PC, which would translate into an interface very similar to that of a computer, but adapted for use with a controller and designed for playing from the couch. This approach would allow for even greater unification of the console and PC ecosystems within Xbox.

Retrocompatibility guaranteed

• Corden also points out that retrocompatibility would be guaranteed, including games from Xbox One and Xbox Series, something key to keeping users’ libraries intact. Additionally, support for artificial intelligence is expected, although it is not yet clear how it will be integrated exactly into the gaming experience or system.

As part of this broader strategy, there is also mention of the possibility that a PC with the Xbox brand manufactured by a well-known hardware partner may arrive, although Corden himself acknowledges that this information is not verified and should be treated as a rumor. As for the release, the dates remain open: some point to fall 2026, while others talk about early 2027.

What does seem clear is the direction: Microsoft wants the next Xbox to be a true hybrid between console and PC, something the company has been hinting at for some time. If the deadlines are met, it’s likely that we’ll start to learn more concrete details between spring and summer.