# Xbox owners are getting more customizations for backgrounds and the Guide menu

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-11-13 17:20 UTC · Category: Technology

## Executive Summary
Xbox Alpha Skip-Ahead Insiders gain right-side Guide placement as Microsoft tests new customization options for console owners.

## Intelligence Brief
Xbox owners enrolled in the Alpha Skip-Ahead Insider program can now open the Xbox Guide on the right side of the screen, according to coverage from Make Tech Easier. The coverage does not specify how many Insiders are in the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring, nor does it detail whether the right-side Guide option will roll out to other Insider tiers or to the general Xbox user base.


The coverage frames the change as an incremental interface update rather than a major system overhaul, focusing specifically on the ability to reposition the Guide.


The Xbox Guide is the system menu that provides quick access to friends, messages, achievements, settings, and other console functions. The introduction of right-side Guide positioning represents a shift toward greater interface flexibility for Insiders, though the coverage does not state whether background customization options are being tested alongside this change in the same build.


Readers should watch for whether Microsoft extends right-side Guide placement beyond the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring to other Insider levels or to all Xbox consoles. The coverage does not indicate a timeline for a wider rollout, nor does it mention any additional customization features currently in testing. Coverage does not yet specify what other background or Guide menu changes may accompany this update in future builds.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Make Tech Easier | Alpha Skip-Ahead Insiders can now open the Xbox Guide on the right side | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiakFVX3lxTE5HNDZxR2hSbXFjenhhcXRTSFJncVMyQThJNlo0b2xZNThubERvOWQwd2RsNVhnVm16bzR2SW91YmQyMVV0NzVoeXQ3eUI5bkd3OXRrVGhjd0ZiMkh6bnctYzJRVlhDWVRxT1E?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoaiapps.com/trend/2026-11-13/xbox-owners-are-getting-more-customizations-for-backgrounds-and-the-guide-menu*