Xbox One System Software Update Detailed For December 10th

There's an Xbox One software update coming your way that includes a collection of feature fixes and performance boosts. Because this is one of the first system updates to arrive for the relatively new console, the folks responsible for the update at Microsoft have made clear the methods with which users will need to be familiar with to get the update live for themselves. Two different modes exist, in this case, one for "Instant On" users, one for those that have opted out.

If you're the sort of person that's able to simply say "Xbox On" in your living room to see the system turn on, you're an Xbox One "Instant On" user. This means you'll be seeing the December 10th update on Tuesday, December 10th, at or around 5PM PST. According to none other than Larry Hryb, Xbox LIVE's Major Nelson, this update will download in the background when your Xbox is "off" – aka in low power mode. When the download is complete, the Xbox One will power down completely.

This complete power down is important to note because you will at that point have to power the system on again from zero. You won't be able to use the "Xbox On" command at that point. It'll be a scary time for you, the voice command reliant, but you'll just have to soldier through.

"When you turn the console on you'll see the update being applied. After that, your Xbox One will reboot. You'll know the update is installing when you see the Xbox logo on the green background (like at the top of this post.) This can take anywhere from 2-5 minutes. Once the update has finished installing, you'll boot to the Home screen and you're all set." – Larry Hryb

This update might not appear right away at the time given above. There's no need to panic! Those not using the Instant On abilities of the Xbox One will see the update appear in the next few days, and everyone will be required to run the update after Thursday, December 12th at 4PM PST.

Changes brought on by the update are as follows:

• Addresses SmartGlass issues for some users when coming in and out of connected standby

• Addresses multiplayer issues for some users when re-joining games

• Addresses issues with inconsistent notifications for some users

• Addresses dashboard performance for some users

• Offers improvements for Xbox One's TV, system update, and content update services for scaling over time

• Updated wireless networking driver to improve connectivity issues for some users

It's also been promised that "quite a few updates" are coming down over the next year based on the feedback Microsoft has received in the community in the short time the console has been out in the wild. You'll be able to see the full extent of these bits and pieces right here on SlashGear through our one and only gaming tag portal – stay tuned!