Windows 11: Gaming upgrades abound, including an HDR calibration app and VRR in windowed mode

Microsoft has announced in a blog post that it will soon release an HDR calibration app for Windows 11, among other changes aimed at improving the operating system for gamers. Primarily, the calibration app should eliminate clipping problems that occur when a monitor cannot display the minimum or maximum brightness of HDR content.

For reference, Microsoft has already released the application for Xbox Series S|X consoles. According to the same blog post, Microsoft will distribute the HDR calibration app through the Microsoft Store. Like the Xbox version, the app will include three test patterns designed to calibrate a display's maximum brightness, plus its bright and dark areas.

Additionally, Microsoft is bringing various optimisations and improvements for gaming in windowed mode. For example, Windows 11 will finally support Auto HDR in windowed mode, as well as variable refresh rates (VRR). Purportedly, Microsoft's various changes will also reduce latency in windowed mode, particularly for games that rely on DirectX 10 or DirectX 11. 

Better still, Microsoft will allow you to disable any of these features should you run into compatibility issues. Unfortunately, Microsoft may not distribute any of these new features for a while yet, having rolled out new updates to its stable and Insider channels this week.

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