Discord’s new PC app is faster, cleaner, with a fresh coat of paint

Despite the controversies over the last few years, Discord is still being used by millions every day to chat, make video calls, and play games together. But the desktop version of the app has been feeling pretty outdated for a while now, which is why many have been asking for an update—and that long-awaited update is finally here.

In a recent blog post, the developers of Discord have unveiled extensive changes to the desktop app, which includes a completely new version of the game overlay feature as well as a facelift that looks better and offers more ways for you to tweak and customize it to your liking.

Discord’s revamped Game Overlay feature

One of the problems with the older Game Overlay was that it “hooked into” the game window, which dragged down the game’s frame rate. This also ran afoul of anti-cheat software, which meant Game Overlay wasn’t compatible with lots of popular games. The new Game Overlay isn’t just faster and more performant, but it now works with so many more games, including lots of high-profile ones.

The revamped Game Overlay in Discord involves a new action bar, which you can use to access various voice and video controls, start streaming games with one click, or join calls that you aren’t already in. It also has some new features, like being able to watch your friends’ streams directly within the overlay. All parts of the Game Overlay can be moved so they never obscure important UI elements of the game you’re playing.

A new look for Discord’s desktop app

The new look of the Discord app for PCs is also immediately noticeable. It offers more customization options and feels a lot more similar to the mobile app as far as usability and operation. Overall, the new look suits Discord very well.

Some icons and colors have been revised to make it easier to see what’s happening in the app. There are some new themes, too, which means you now have four basic looks to choose from: Light, Ash, Dark, and Onyx. The user interface can also be toggled between Spacious, Standard, and Compact.

During active calls, the redesigned Discord desktop app now also has more centralized controls for voice and video settings, with more buttons grouped into a single bar for easier access. It’s also clearer to see when the microphone or camera are switched on or off, which is signaled by a green or red light, respectively.

If you aren’t on the latest version yet, you can start experiencing the update by downloading the new version now.