“Xbox Mode is here”: Microsoft rolls out console-style experience on Windows 11, barely meeting its own deadline

Key Points:

• Microsoft has officially begun the phased rollout of Xbox Mode on Windows 11 PCs, previously known as the Xbox Full Screen Experience, aiming to provide a more immersive gaming environment by launching the Xbox app in full screen with reduced background tasks.
• Xbox Mode allows users to navigate games with a controller, switch seamlessly between the Xbox interface and the Windows desktop, and access an aggregated library that includes games from multiple storefronts alongside Xbox Game Pass titles.
• The feature, already used on Windows handheld devices like the Xbox Ally, enhances system memory allocation for gaming, although it is considered less polished compared to competitors like Steam’s Big Picture Mode.
• To access Xbox Mode, users need to update to the latest Windows version and enable early updates via Windows Update settings, but availability will be gradual due to the phased rollout approach.
• Microsoft’s commitment to improving the gaming experience on Windows is evident, with Xbox Mode representing a significant step toward integrating Xbox services more deeply into the Windows ecosystem.