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Microsoft has announced that Xbox Mode has launched on Windows 11 PCs! The new "console-inspired experience" is beginning to arrive in select markets today, with others to follow in the coming weeks as part of a gradual rollout.
Xbox Mode, if you haven't been following, is basically the name for the ROG Xbox Ally's interface — but they've brought it over to PC now. So, if you want a more console-like experience when using your Windows 11 PC, you can jump into Xbox Mode in order to benefit from a controller-optimised UI with direct access to your Xbox PC games, PC Game Pass titles, and even games from other storefronts if you choose to add those in too.
Here's a bit more about it:
"Xbox mode is designed for the moments when you want your games to take center stage on Windows 11 PCs and handhelds. Inspired by the Xbox console experience, Xbox mode offers a streamlined interface that puts your library and recently played titles within easy reach while minimizing background distractions.
Since first introducing Xbox mode, formerly known as “full screen experience”, on Windows handhelds, we’ve been listening closely to player feedback and continuing to evolve the experience across devices. Those learnings directly shaped Xbox mode on Windows 11 PCs."
Still confused? Well, basically, when the ROG Xbox Ally was released in late 2025, one of the big areas of feedback they tried to address was that navigating Windows was a chore on handheld PCs. It had been criticised for being clunky, taking up system resources, and for not providing a dedicated gaming interface along the lines of Steam OS.
The result was the Xbox full-screen experience, which is now known as Xbox Mode. They built a custom interface based largely around the Xbox PC app, made it the default thing you boot into, and took away those background distractions from Windows that were hogging resources (while still allowing you to access Windows 11 if necessary).
Now that they're transitioning it to standard desktop PCs, it's more about giving players an option on how they want to access their games — and if you're playing with a controller specifically, the idea is that Xbox Mode will be much easier to navigate than a standard Windows desktop. The choice is up to you though, and they're not suggesting you boot into it on your desktop PC, but instead use it as something you can jump into whenever you want.
"Xbox mode is another step in our broader work to make Xbox feel consistent across screens while giving you more choice in how and where you play. Windows has long been an important part of the PC gaming ecosystem, supporting innovation through its open platform. Together with Windows, Xbox is taking everything we’ve learned about building a world-class operating system for gaming and continuing to evolve the experiences that meet players where and how they choose to play."
As mentioned, this is still a gradual rollout for the time being, but when Xbox Mode does become available in your region, you'll be able to access it via Windows Update, after which it'll be available via the Xbox Game Bar on your Windows 11 PC (accessible by pressing the Windows icon and G on your keyboard).
We'll leave you with a couple of images of Xbox Mode below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
