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Microsoft Rolls Out Xbox Mode to All Windows 11 PCs
StihlReign
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Xbox Mode Begins Rolling Out to Players on Windows 11 PCs Today April 30, 2026
Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation, Xbox
& Ian LeGrow, Corporate Vice President, Windows + Devices
Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation, Xbox
& Ian LeGrow, Corporate Vice President, Windows + Devices
SOURCE Nice. That happened quick. Should be interesting to see how the games evolve on this news.Beginning today, we’re excited to share that Xbox mode will begin rolling out in select markets to Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets, bringing a console-inspired Xbox experience to more players than ever.
Whether you’re playing on a high-performance desktop, a gaming laptop, or a Windows handheld, Xbox mode makes it easier to jump into your games. It adds another way to enjoy games on your PC – with a controller-optimized, full screen experience that is built for play.
Some players in select markets will be able to download the Xbox mode experience today, with availability expanding to more players in those markets over the next several weeks.
A More Immersive Way to Play on PC
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.
With Xbox mode, you can:
Browse and launch games using a controller optimized interface.
Jump back and forth between Xbox mode and the Windows 11 desktop whenever you want.
Access an aggregated game library, including the full games catalog from Xbox Game Pass, and installed games from leading PC storefronts.
Because Xbox mode is built on Windows, you still get the flexibility and openness of PC gaming, while enjoying a more immersive and streamlined way to play.
"O divine art of subtlety and secrecy!
Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy’s fate in our hands.” – Ch. VI, v. 8-9. — Master Sun Tzu
"You haven't beaten me you've sacrificed sure footing for a killing stroke." — Ra's al Ghul
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious — Master Sun Tzu
LoS
Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy’s fate in our hands.” – Ch. VI, v. 8-9. — Master Sun Tzu
"You haven't beaten me you've sacrificed sure footing for a killing stroke." — Ra's al Ghul
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious — Master Sun Tzu
LoS
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ksbrugh✭✭✭✭Don't they already have this with play Anywhere games. Looks like to me they're just trying to monetize a little more. Some games will not be working with this mode especially backwards compatible games. You will still need your Xbox, so much for streamline.
When they were talking about this a year ago this was the information that I gathered unless they changed it or updated it recently. I will have to look into it further thank you for bringing this to my attention0 -
moderatelyfatman✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭StihlReign wrote: »Xbox Mode Begins Rolling Out to Players on Windows 11 PCs Today April 30, 2026
Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation, Xbox
& Ian LeGrow, Corporate Vice President, Windows + Devices
SOURCE Nice. That happened quick. Should be interesting to see how the games evolve on this news.Beginning today, we’re excited to share that Xbox mode will begin rolling out in select markets to Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets, bringing a console-inspired Xbox experience to more players than ever.
Whether you’re playing on a high-performance desktop, a gaming laptop, or a Windows handheld, Xbox mode makes it easier to jump into your games. It adds another way to enjoy games on your PC – with a controller-optimized, full screen experience that is built for play.
Some players in select markets will be able to download the Xbox mode experience today, with availability expanding to more players in those markets over the next several weeks.
A More Immersive Way to Play on PC
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.
With Xbox mode, you can:
Browse and launch games using a controller optimized interface.
Jump back and forth between Xbox mode and the Windows 11 desktop whenever you want.
Access an aggregated game library, including the full games catalog from Xbox Game Pass, and installed games from leading PC storefronts.
Because Xbox mode is built on Windows, you still get the flexibility and openness of PC gaming, while enjoying a more immersive and streamlined way to play.
Who are the other ten?0 -
Tandor✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭PurpleScroll wrote: »No thanks, I'll stick to Steam.
Me too. Steam is fine, along with GOG.
I have no interest in controller optimised interfaces.4 -
JeroenB✭✭✭✭I've always found it interesting that many people use Steam to start games rather than the Start menu. Steam and GoG are convenient for managing installs and seeing what games I have and Cloud saves, but I personally don't want starting a game to use a different method than starting Outlook or a web browser or whatever software you use professionally.
Oh, and also definitely no interest in a controller optimised interface, as I do not own a controller. More importantly a game is just one programme that happens to run on one monitor while other stuff is on the other monitor. It's good that the XBox UI will be available as an option to those who do prefer such an interface, though it raises a concern about games being pressured in that direction in future.1
