Microsoft Expands Xbox Full Screen to Handhelds in 2025

Microsoft announced on Thursday that its Xbox Full Screen Experience, a streamlined gaming interface for Windows 11 devices, will become available to all compatible gaming handhelds starting November 21, 2025. The feature, which originated on ASUS ROG Xbox Ally models, aims to deliver a console-like user interface optimized for controllers and small screens, addressing common frustrations with the standard Windows desktop on portable devices.

The Xbox Full Screen Experience replaces the traditional Windows desktop with a simplified home screen that launches directly into the Xbox app. Users gain quick access to games from multiple platforms, including the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Battle.net, and Epic Games Store. Navigation relies on gamepad inputs or touchscreen gestures, allowing seamless switching between titles, launchers, and basic system settings without loading the full desktop environment. Microsoft states that the mode reduces memory usage by approximately 2 gigabytes and cuts idle background tasks by about 30 percent compared to standard Windows operation. This optimization can lead to smoother performance, higher frame rates in some games, fewer...