While Microsoft has understandably been giving Windows 11 a lot of attention lately (including launching a new update that brings Android apps to PC ), it has also published an update for the older Windows 10 operating system as well.
As Windows Latest reports , Windows 10 KB5010415 is now available as an optional update. This means you won’t automatically get it, but if you open up Windows Update, you should see it waiting for you under ‘Optional Updates’.
It’s worth checking out, as it brings fixes for several Windows 10 problems (which will later be included in cumulative updates in March and April), so if your PC isn’t running well, this update could fix it.
It also includes a fix for people trying to upgrade to Windows 11, but who find the process failing when checking the TPM status of the PC .
However, as this is an optional update, if your PC is running fine as it is, you can feel free to ignore it for now, rather than risk adding new issues to your PC – something Windows 10 updates have been responsible for in the past , unfortunately.
New features
This Windows 10 update also brings new features to the operating system as well. For a start, you can now share cookies between Microsoft Edge Internet Explorer mode and Microsoft Edge. This could be handy for web developers, or anyone who uses online services that still work with Internet Explorer.
Microsoft has also added the ability to add and remove NVMe storage without having to turn off your PC (known as hot swapping). Again, this is a feature that likely won’t appeal to most users, but enterprise and power users may find it very useful.
Analysis: Still going strong
While this may not be the most exciting update ever, especially when compared to Windows 11’s latest release which adds some genuinely game-changing features, it’s still good to see Microsoft continuing to update and support Windows 10.
After all, Windows 10 remains the most-used version of Windows at the moment, and while Microsoft may be keen to get people to upgrade to Windows 11, it still needs to look after people who continue to use Windows 10, either by choice or because their PCs aren’t compatible.
Windows 10 will continue to be supported until October 14, 2025, and we hope Microsoft continues to release updates for the operating system until then.
Halo Infinite Fracture: Tenrai event returns with improvements
The Fracture: Tenrai event has returned to Halo Infinite 's multiplayer, but not without a couple of key differences. In response to fan complaints, 343 Industries has increased the amount of progress that can be made in the Event Pass from seven tiers per week to 10. In addition, at least one event-specific challenge is now guaranteed to appear in the rotation.
343 explains on its website that, while players will still need to participate in multiple weeks to unlock everything in the Event Pass, it hopes that these changes will improve the overall experience, especially for particularly engaged players.
It also changed content within the Event Pass itself, replacing all XP and Challenge Boost items in Tier 10 or above with cosmetics, making for 11 wholly new items. The Halo Infinite Fracture: Tenrai event will conclude on January 11.
The current state of Halo Infinite
Fracture: Tenrai is essentially Halo Infinite's first free event, set to last throughout the course of Season 1. However, it isn't always active so you can only make progress in the Event Pass and unlock its items during specific weeks. Its first week ran throughout the end of November, about a week before the campaign was released, and it will appear four more times in Season 1, concluding in May.
The pass contains a number of samurai-themed rewards, with the main one being a Yoroi Samurai armor set . There is also a premium pass which, while not free, comes with additional, exclusive items.
Halo Infinite 's multiplayer has certainly been something of a mixed bag ever since it launched. While it remains popular, many took issue with how battle pass progression was handled, complaining that it was too slow.
343 has made multiple updates to the multiplayer since, including adding a dedicated Slayer playlist due to player demand. A couple of key Halo features are still missing and aren't expected to arrive until later this year, namely campaign co-op and the Forge mode.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X: is it worth upgrading to Microsoft's next-gen console?
Should you buy the Xbox Series X or the Xbox One X ? The answer depends on your budget and your preferences. We’ll take a look at both consoles to find out which one is right for you.
The Xbox Series X is the newest and, objectively, the best Xbox console of the two and it brings you a truly next-gen gaming experience. As Microsoft’s flagship console, it can now hit higher framerates – up to 120fps , which means it almost eliminates load times completely. The console also offers far greater visual fidelity than the aging Xbox One X ever could.
What’s more, the Xbox Series X boasts a number of quality of life features, including Quick Resume and FPS Boost . What this does is allows you to suspend multiple games at once so you can pick up at the point where you left off, as well as potentially quadruple the framerates of older titles.
So you should get the Xbox Series X, right? Well, not necessarily. If you already have the older Xbox One X, you don’t need to rush out and upgrade to Microsoft’s brand new system because it’s still an advanced and highly capable console.
What’s more, choosing between these two Xbox consoles isn’t as straightforward as it seems if you don’t have an Xbox One X already either, as they cater to different people, different budgets and different needs. It’s more than just sheer power, as price can often be the biggest deciding factor of any purchasing decision or potential upgrade.
But what are the key differences? And is there a point when you need to admit you want a newer model and upgrade to the Series X? The guide below will put the two Xbox machines head-to-head to help you decide.
The Xbox One X is Microsoft’s mid-gen refresh of the Xbox One. Think of it as Microsoft's answer to Sony’s PS4 Pro . It's not an entirely new console, but has a number of small and significant upgrades. That means the Xbox One X is still an impressive console when it comes to sheer computing chops.
We think the Xbox One X is best for console players who want a tangible upgrade over the base systems they’ve had in the past when it comes to specs, as the console supports native 4K resolution and HDR. However, it has now officially been discontinued, which makes finding new stock tricky.
What’s more, now the Xbox Series X is here, the Xbox One X’s original appeal of being the most powerful console on the market doesn’t hold up. Microsoft’s new tower of power is significantly more powerful than the One X and does eclipse the older Xbox console in practically every other department, too.
However, if you currently own an Xbox One X, or you’re looking for a 4K-capable console that's equipped with a 4K Blu-Ray drive on the cheap and have found one in stock, you shouldn’t overlook the Xbox One X just yet – or rush to upgrade if that’s your current console.
The good news for the Xbox One X is the more time that passes, the more appealing it becomes to some gamers. That’s because it’s price is now significantly cheaper than the Xbox Series X.
Although its specs don’t compare, you are still able to play all the latest Xbox One games on this older console as well, albeit without some enticing graphical bells and whistles. The cheaper Xbox Series S is also limited to digital purchases only, as it doesn't have a disc drive.
If you’re not sure whether you should upgrade, make a brand new purchase or simply want to find out more about the key differences between the two, you’re in the right place with this Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X guide.
If you're interested in the disc-less and significantly cheaper alternative to the Xbox Series X, check out our Xbox Series S review for all you need to know.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X price
The Xbox Series X costs $499 / £449 / AU$749, and matches the original MSRP of the Xbox One X. While this is, admittedly, very expensive, the Xbox Series X packs a lot of technology into its cuboid frame.
The problem right now is that the console is notoriously hard to get hold of, with stock continuing to be snapped up as soon as it appears, which can make it tricky to find where to buy Xbox Series X .
However, the Xbox One X has had big price cuts over the past few months. We’ve seen the console drop well below it’s original asking price, but as Microsoft has since discontinued the Xbox One X , stock is becoming harder to find. If you do see an enticing deal, then, it’s worth snapping it up straight away.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X specs
When it comes to specs, this is where the Xbox Series X really differentiates itself. The console is packed with some seriously impressive hardware, many of which allow for technological advancements that you simply won’t find on Xbox One X, such as graphically intensive ray tracing support and frame rates up to 120fps. Check out the Xbox Series X specs below:
The console’s GPU also dwarfs that of the Xbox One X when it comes to computational power. It boasts a 12 teraflop GPU instead of the Xbox One X’s 6 teraflop GPU, making it essentially twice as powerful as Microsoft’s older machine.
The Xbox Series X also comes with a super-fast 1TB NVMe SSD, which has a transformative effect on games. Its storage system can boost load times by up to 40 times higher than a regular mechanical hard drive, and the new storage format allows for features such as Quick Resume , where you can suspend and switch between multiple games at a time.
The SSD is used in conjunction with Microsoft’s new Xbox Velocity Architecture which, while in its early stages, promises to leave load times in the past and help overcome previous developer bottlenecks such as slow I/O performance and texture streaming.
The Xbox Series X CPU is also a gargantuan upgrade over that found inside the Xbox One X. It’s capable of pushing out 120fps frames per second at 4K resolution (providing you have a HDMI 2.1 compliant display), and many games that were previously capped to 30fps can now reach 60fps with ease for a more silky-smooth and responsive experience.
The Xbox One X, while certainly showing its age, is no slouch, though. Check out the Xbox One X specs below:
The console is still capable of outputting a crystal clear native 4K resolution, and is compatible with all of the latest Xbox Series X games, though this may change in the future. Like the Xbox Series X, the Xbox One X also comes equipped with a 4K HD Blu-Ray drive, making it a great choice for home cinema enthusiasts who are looking to upgrade their set up for less.
What really holds it back, though, is it’s CPU, which is a huge bottleneck for the developers. The standard mechanical drive means load times in some titles can also be painful to sit through, but this can be circumvented somewhat with an external SSD. The Xbox One X is a great choice if you don’t mind that games will often run at 30fps, then, and we’re still huge fans of the console’s sleek design, quiet operation and media capabilities.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X games
A number of titles are available for the Xbox Series X, with first-party titles like Halo Infinite , Hellblade 2 and third-party blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077 there are a growing number of Xbox Series X games you can play today and many that are coming in the future, though the Xbox Series X launch lineup isn't as fleshed out as we'd like.
Some of the games that are out now or coming soon to Xbox Series X/S in the near future include:
You can see the full Xbox Series X launch lineup here or check out our Xbox Series X games list for the full list of confirmed Series X titles.
The Series X’s impressive specs in combination with the excellent value of Xbox Game Pass gives early adopters a ready-made library that benefits from faster load times, better graphics, and higher resolution.
Backwards compatibility is also excellent on the Xbox Series X. You can play hundreds of games from previous Xbox generations on your new system, including original Xbox titles, but Microsoft has gone a step further with Smart Delivery. Consider this ‘forwards compatibility’ in the sense that when you buy a compatible game, it’s unlocked on all supporting hardware. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 supports Smart Delivery , so owners of the game on Xbox One X will benefit from a free upgrade to Xbox Series X.
Microsoft has recently encouraged developers to make these upgrades free through Smart Delivery in light of some publishers opting to charge more for cross-gen bundles.
Smart Delivery also means if buying an Xbox One X has cleaned you out, you can buy the likes of Halo Infinite and play it on your current-gen console, safe in the knowledge that you won't have to buy it again for Series X once you’ve cobbled together the cash for an upgrade. Your save data will even be carried back and forth too.
This does, of course, mean that the Xbox Series X isn't really dangling any exclusives in front of you to force you into an upgrade, which is an accessible approach but perhaps frustrating for those who like to feel like they're really getting that fresh next-gen experience.
While the Series X will offer the best version of a game, the Xbox One X will still be able to play the same game, albeit at a lower quality. Xbox is being very dogged about its inclusive approach for the next generation, promising it won't have any Xbox Series X exclusives for the first few years, and that Xbox One players won't be left behind in the leap to next-gen. A bonus, then, if you’re sticking with Microsoft’s older machine.
With all that in mind, there isn't really an exclusive game that will make you rush out to upgrade to the Xbox Series X. Making the jump will be more about wanting to see those games at their absolute best running on a faster console, or if you want the very best possible Xbox experience available.
Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X verdict
The Xbox Series X is an enticing prospect, especially for those who are already invested in the Xbox ecosystem. Its graphical grunt combined with the excellent Xbox Game Pass subscription service means Xbox fans should seriously consider the latest and greatest console, with its impressive technical specs and plenty of hope for the future.
For early adopters, the Series X’s lack of exclusive games is at least offset by an instant collection of great games thanks to Game Pass and backwards compatibility. Numerous games are receiving Xbox Series X optimizations, too, making them look and play better than ever before. And with Smart Delivery, those looking to upgrade from their Xbox One X can buy supported games now and upgrade for free to the Series X version once they can afford the new unit.
Since the cost of the Xbox One X is likely to continue to fall, particularly now the Series X is approaching a whole year since launch, there are few reasons to buy it at full price right now. Even then, the better value prospect is the cheaper, but less powerful, Xbox Series S, though you will have to make do with a 1440p resolution output.
All things considered, it's not really a battle between the Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X. Instead, Microsoft seems to be ensuring a harmonious, flexible transition between consoles for those who can afford an upgrade and want the best of the best from an Xbox.