Microsoft has started releasing a software update for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One which, according to its version, is responsible for significantly reducing the power consumption of consoles. The Redmond-based company explains that the move is part of its strategy to become a carbon-negative, water-positive and zero-waste company by 2030.

One of the things Microsoft introduced in the Xbox Series X and S consoles is a Off mode, which the company claims reduces power consumption by up to 20 times compared to sleep mode (sleep). This shutdown mode takes care of shutdown processes, supports software updates for games and consoles instead of randomly waking up between 2am and 6am, supports remote functions while the console is on, in addition to the aforementioned power consumption reduction.

Microsoft explains that Xbox insiders “will notice that their Xbox Series X|S consoles automatically update to the off (power saving) option. This one-time update to power settings will reduce power consumption when the console is off and will not affect performance, gameplay, or the console’s ability to receive nightly system, game, or application updates.”

The Redmond-based corporation plans to bring the aforementioned shutdown mode to the Xbox One, the previous generation, but warns that it will increase the console’s startup time. However, you can more than make up for such a loss if you save a little on your electricity bill in addition to some energy savings.

Another configuration related to power consumption that Microsoft has started rolling out for Xbox Insiders and for the last two generations of consoles is “Active hours”. It is designed for users who use sleep mode and allows them to adjust the times when the console will be active. When it’s time to wake up, the Xbox starts up quickly, and after the active hours have passed, the device shuts down completely, consuming 0.5 watts compared to 10 or 15 when it’s active. On Xbox Series X and S, programming will be enabled automatically, while on Xbox One it is completely manual.

As we said before, the power-saving features are available to Xbox Insiders, who will get early access to future updates coming to Microsoft’s consoles (the Insiders program also covers the Windows operating system).