Many expected Microsoft to keep the Xbox One entertainment console up-to-date with updates and software changes even after it became available. What no one expected was Microsoft’s constant iteration on the console. Shortly after launch, Microsoft promised new updates would be delivered every month, and they were delivered. Almost every calendar month, Microsoft has added a feature or made a change to the software that powers the Xbox One experience.
If this was the Xbox 360, these updates would be a painful experience. This console forced users to update as soon as they connected to Xbox Live. Xbox One enforces software updates, but with the right settings, you shouldn’t find yourself waiting to download Xbox One updates while playing a game or watching a television show.
Here’s how to manually update Xbox One and configure your console so major software updates are automatically downloaded to your console.
Starting Updates Manually
When it first launches Microsoft-managed software updates on the Xbox One itself. If there was an update you would be prompted to download it, but there were no buttons or manual triggers to do so. When you’re prompted to download an update and your console declines it, it’s out of Xbox Live until you’re ready to download the update. Fortunately, subsequent updates to the Xbox One have fixed this issue. If you have a Kinect sensor, you can skip the first three steps of this process by saying “Xbox, go to Settings”.
Turn on your Xbox One and navigate to the area.
Select the area in the upper right corner of your screen.
Use your joystick to browse the list of applications on the right side of your screen. Select the app using the A button on your controller.
Use your joystick to highlight and select the area.
On the right edge of the system app is a button that tells you if a software update is available for your console. If there is no update available, you cannot select it.
The button is selectable when there is a software update, allowing you to press A on your controller and start the software update process.
Downloading Updates Automatically
Being able to manually download updates is great, but most people want to take advantage of a software upgrade without interrupting their lives. Xbox One has silent software updates that download in the background and install themselves when the console is not in use. This is due to a feature that Microsoft calls Instant-on mode.
When you turn Instant On on, your system does not completely shut itself down. Instant On keeps parts of the Xbox One software running, rather than shutting down the console completely and forcing you to start it up every time you want to play a game. This allows the console to update apps and games without realizing they need to be upgraded in the first place. The system does the same for Xbox One software updates. Instant On is the Xbox equivalent of pressing the button to put your smartphone to sleep instead of turning it off completely.
Go back to the app from the My Games & Apps area.
Highlight and Select is on the Settings app’s button, right next to Devices & Accessories in the middle area.
Here you have detailed controls for the power of your Xbox One. You can shut down the console completely from here or force restart it if you have any issues. There’s also a toggle for how long the console stays idle before returning on its own to save power. Ignore these. Instead, focus on the area in the center of your screen.
If you’re sure you want software updates to download automatically, you should switch your Power mode from Energy Saver mode to Replay mode, Energy Saver means you don’t have to worry about the Xbox One increasing your electricity bill by 1x. a very small amount.
Select the Power Mode option and change it from Energy Saver to Instant On.
For now, your Xbox One will automatically download software and game updates without having to trigger them manually, which can definitely waste a lot of your precious gaming and entertainment time. If you have Energy Saver enabled, you will notice that your console is ready to play games or open an app much faster than before. If you have a Kinect sensor, Microsoft will let you turn on your Xbox One simply by saying “Xbox is On”.
Even though your console is working, you shouldn’t notice any fan noise coming from the console. Even when your console is in Instant On mode, the power button and Xbox button on your controller do not glow.