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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteXbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly told Microsoft gaming staff that the business had begun to return to growth after an “all time low.” Windows Central later clarified that she was referring specifically to first-party growth—not verified growth across all of Xbox or Microsoft Gaming. The report offers no public figures or chart to show how that growth was measured.
What did Xbox’s CEO mean by returning to growth?
Sharma’s remarks came at an internal town hall for Microsoft gaming staff on October 6, 2026. Windows Central says it received the meeting transcript and verified it with trusted sources; the transcript itself is not publicly linked in the report. Sharma was quoted as saying: “We’re making the right decisions to reinvest in the business, after an all time low, we’ve started to return to growth, more than 2 to 3 times what we were, and we expect that continue.”
Windows Central subsequently clarified that the growth referred to first-party games Xbox owns and publishes. The article does not explain what “more than 2 to 3 times what we were” measures, what period it compares, or how the figure was calculated. It should not be read as a specific growth rate, revenue figure, or whole-business result.
The report separately says hours spent had stabilized after earlier declines in hours, players, and revenue. That is Sharma’s reported assessment, not a set of published financial results. Neither Windows Central’s report nor Kotaku’s summary provides audited figures or publicly available data that independently establishes an Xbox-wide recovery.
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- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Is Xbox actually growing again?
The coverage supports a narrower answer: Sharma reportedly told staff that first-party growth had returned. It does not establish that Xbox as a whole is growing again. Windows Central attributes a 30% increase in positive brand sentiment over the prior year to Sharma, but provides no methodology, baseline, or sample. It also reports “strong” starts for Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and World of Warcraft Forever, without launch figures or a defined measure of “strong.”
Those claims may indicate how leadership views the business, but they are not a substitute for disclosed sales, engagement, or financial data. The report also says Sharma described the earlier Game Pass strategy as contributing to “free fall” balance-sheet declines; that is her reported characterization, not independent causal analysis showing that a strategy change produced a financial recovery.
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What does Xbox’s reset change for Game Pass and consoles?
Windows Central describes a strategy organized around “core, content, creation, and connection.” The stated direction gives renewed emphasis to consoles while continuing to support a broader set of platforms and services. These are priorities, not evidence that every planned change has shipped or improved business results.
Consoles and a broader device family
Sharma reportedly described Xbox Series X|S as central to the strategy and said the company intends to develop across Series X|S, Xbox PC, and the future Gen 10 hardware family. She described Project Helix as “a family of devices,” with a console first and options for players on the go, while saying some devices would be made by Xbox and others developed with partners. The report names no partners, specifications, release dates, or confirmed product lineup.
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Her fuller description was: “We are moving to a family of devices for Gen-10. There is not one device that fits all. We will certainly have a great console first, but we also know that many players will be on the go. There are some things that we are the best in the world to manufacture, and there are other things that will we partner on. So, we will be sharing more about that as our plans develop. The operating system is starting to look really good. We’re very excited about this.”
More flexibility for Game Pass
The report says Xbox is considering more flexible Game Pass options and tailoring content access to different players. It does not announce final subscription tiers, prices, or launch dates, so no particular plan change can yet be treated as confirmed.
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- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
Play Anywhere, cloud gaming, and publishing
Other areas of focus named in the report include Xbox Play Anywhere, cloud gaming, and a disc-to-digital program. Windows Central also says Xbox wants to simplify publishing targets and streamline APIs, making it easier for developers to ship on its platforms. The article does not specify the disc-to-digital program’s terms or timing, or detail the developer-facing changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why “reset working” does not mean the turnaround is complete
Kotaku’s October 6 summary of Windows Central’s reporting says hundreds more staff could be laid off in the coming months. It also reports that Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty had described the reset as 75% complete the previous month, without giving a precise date or measurement method. That figure is a reported estimate of the reset’s progress, not a measure of financial recovery.
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Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
The reports therefore describe an ongoing strategic shift with continued organizational consequences—not a finished turnaround. Windows Central is the source of the town-hall account; Kotaku summarizes that reporting rather than publishing an independently obtained transcript. Neither outlet provides official Microsoft financial documentation supporting a company-wide growth claim.
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