Best hidden Xbox One features only power users know about

When Microsoft first announced the Xbox One, it billed the device as not just a video game console, but a full entertainment centre.

A few of the console’s great features are not immediately visible on the user interface, or require a bit of technical skill to set up.

These are some of the best features of the Xbox One you may not know if you are not a power user.

Also read: Hidden PlayStation 4 features only power users know about

Play To

You can set up a media server on a Windows 7 machine using Windows Media Player, or using Xbox Video on a Windows 8+ PC.

From there you can add the Xbox One to your computer’s list of devices, and then choose to play certain media files on the console.

Track bandwidth usage

You can track how much bandwidth the Xbox One is currently consuming, and how much data it has used in the past.

Speed up your game installation

Before you can play a game on the Xbox One, whether a digital download or from a retail disc, you must first install it on the console (or an attached USB hard drive).

These installations can run very slowly, and Xbox owners have reported seeing much faster installs if you do not download updates while installing.

You may select not to download the update while installing, or disconnect the console from the Internet entirely.

To disconnect it, open the Xbox One menu, go to Settings, then Network, then select “Go Offline”. You can also unplug the Ethernet cable or turn off your router.

If you don’t download updates while installing a game, it is likely that you will have to download it before you can play online.

SmartGlass: use your phone’s keyboard on the Xbox One

You can control your Xbox One from your iPhone, or Android or Windows smartphone, using the Xbox One SmartGlass app.

The app lets you use your phone’s keyboard and touchscreen to navigate the console, and offers a companion screen for games that support SmartGlass.

Use a QR Code

If you have a Kinect 2, you can use its camera to redeem game codes, whether for downloadable or bonus content.

To use this feature, just say “Xbox, use code,” and hold the QR code where the Kinect sensor can see it.

Virtual green screen

Using the Upload Studio app and a Kinect, you can create a virtual green screen.

This is in addition to the normal editing of gameplay clips, adding voice over and doing picture-in-picture.

Blu-Ray player

Although the Xbox One can read normal Blu Rays, its Blu Ray player app isn’t installed on the console by default.

To download it, just go to the Xbox Store and search for “Blu Ray Player”.

Disable disc autoplay

Once you have the Blu Ray player app installed, it will automatically launch whenever you insert a Blu Ray video disc.

To disable this, launch the Xbox menu, go into Settings, and then Disc & Blu Ray. In the disc settings section, uncheck “Play disc automatically”.

Snap apps to the screen edge

With the Xbox Snap feature, you can watch TV while gaming, or play music while browsing the web.

To use Snap, place the cursor over the app you would like to Snap without opening it. Press Menu, then select Snap from the pop-up menu.

If you have a Kinect 2 plugged in, you can say “Xbox, Snap…” and the name of the app. “Xbox, unsnap…” also works.

Set Home Xbox

If you logged into your account on a friend’s Xbox One, or if you want others to access your games library from your console, set it as your Home Xbox.

Guest accounts

If you have guests over, but don’t want them fiddling with your saves or your Xbox One’s settings, you can create a guest account that gives them limited access.

To create a guest account, launch the Xbox One menu, navigate to Settings, and scroll right until you see Guest settings.

Select create a Guest key. You will need to remember the pattern you so that you can pass it on to guests when they visit.

Appear offline

If you want to use your Xbox One, but don’t want your contacts to know you’re online, you can appear offline without actually disconnecting your console from the Internet.

To do this, go the Xbox menu, then Friends, then select My Profile.