Summary

  • Microsoft teases game preservation for Xbox's 25th anniversary, hinting at new ways to play old titles.
  • Leaker Nate The Hate claims Microsoft will add original Xbox and Xbox 360 emulation to Windows in November 2026.
  • It's still a rumor, but it's plausible given how Microsoft may be converging Windows 11 with its console division.

We've spent a lot of time discussing Microsoft's plan to bring Windows 11 to its latest console. The company recently revealed Project Helix, which will reportedly run Windows 11 in Xbox mode instead of using a dedicated Xbox OS and can play PC games. However, what we haven't heard a lot about is Microsoft bringing its Xbox offerings to PC. After all, if Project Helix ends up being a Windows 11 PC in disguise, what's stopping developments in Microsoft's newest console from going back upstream to Windows 11?

Well, one leaker believes that it won't be long until we see some of Xbox's tech arrive on our PCs. In response to a statement from Xbox saying that people will play older titles in new ways in the near future, the leaker claims it likely refers to Microsoft releasing an official emulator for original Xbox and Xbox 360 games.

👁 The Xbox Series X's on button
Microsoft confirms ‘Project Helix,’ its next-gen Xbox that can also play PC games

After months of rumors, it's now clear the tech giant plans to blur the lines between console and PC.

Microsoft might add Xbox and Xbox 360 emulation to Windows in November, says leaker

Here's hoping they're correct

The story begins with Tom Warren from The Verge posting on Bluesky with a quote from Jason Ronald, the Vice President of Next Generation at Xbox. Ronald did a talk at GDC, where he hinted that the game preservation team is preparing something for Xbox's big 25th anniversary in November this year.

"As part of our 25th anniversary later this year, [the game preservation team] will release some iconic games from the past that are now going to be able to be played in entirely new ways," says Jason Ronald 👀 — Tom Warren (@tomwarren.co.uk) 2026-03-11T17:45:53.150Z

Now, as spotted by Notebook Check, leaker Nate The Hate quoted the Bluesky message in a ResetEra forum post. Nate the Hate has been a reliable leaker in the past when covering Xbox and PlayStation leaks, but it is still a leak, so be sure to take the following with a generous pinch of salt:

This has been their goal for over a year. I think I made a comment about it before; but MS back-compat team has wanted to bring & make your OG Xbox and Xbox 360 digital library playable on PC.

Nate the Hate is correct; we previously heard from them in December 2025, when he discussed Xbox 360 games potentially arriving on Windows 11. Now that Microsoft has confirmed it's doing something for the sake of game preservation for Xbox's 25th anniversary, using your old games on your PC sounds much more feasible. Unfortunately, until Microsoft explicitly states that this feature is coming to Windows 11, we have to treat it as it is: a rumor. However, I don't see any reason why Microsoft wouldn't do this, so there's hope yet.