Microsoft debuted this new system as a beta during the holidays last year. Now, it's part of Microsoft Edge itself, provided that you have the current version, Edge 132 or higher. (Technically, Game Assist is still a "preview.")
For those of you who want a "pure" gaming experience, don't worry. Edge Game Assist doesn't just launch itself, and it actually seems rather helpful when you invoke it. Edge Game Assist is part of Windows' Game Bar, whose advanced features have been available for, wow, five years already?
Here's the way it works. Game Bar (which my former colleague, Hayden Dingman, correctly called a "game overlay") is triggered when you type in Win G. When you're in a game, Game Bar invokes several little widgets, showing you the current performance of the PC, allowing you to manage game captures and screenshots, and more.
Microsoft Edge Game Assist simply adds a small browser window on top of that, pre-configured for some of the more popular games. That last part is the important bit: Since Edge knows that you're playing Baldur's Gate 3, for example, the default window opens to third-party guides and hints to the game, confined to a narrow little window. You can also browse to other sites, too, of course.
For a long time, EA games could only be purchased, downloaded, and played digitally via EA Origin (at least on PCs). Eventually, some titles became available on Steam. Now, EA is altogether discontinuing Origin, which will be effective April 17, 2025.
By then, you'll need to switch to the EA app, which has been available since 2020 and serves as the new launcher for EA's games. The switch is necessary to continue using purchased games and save data.
How to switch to the EA app
Users who previously only had EA Origin installed must download the new EA app. Then, log in with the same account details you previously used for Origin. The app should automatically recognize you and display your usual game library without a hitch.
For games that are already installed on your PC, you don't need to download them again. As for games with data saved to the cloud, some games will automatically transfer save data over while others must be transferred manually. The same applies to game mods.
It's also important to note that the EA app is 64-bit, so it won't run on older 32-bit systems (as explained on this EA page). In order to proceed, you'll need a PC with a 64-bit CPU — and that might mean you have to buy a new PC if you don't wa
Semantic search was first revealed in October, when Microsoft outlined its AI roadmap that included Generative Fill and image upscaling. Now, it's part of the latest Dev Channel build for Windows Insiders, which was released at the end of last week. Only PCs with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip inside can run it, however.