Whenever it's about PC vs. consoles, the latter wins if the word 'convenience' pops out. No clustered UI, everything is in one place, and no distractions at all. But now that thin line is probably going to disappear.

After a long wait, Microsoft is finally rolling out Xbox Mode to Windows 11 PCs. The update is already live in select markets, with a broader rollout expected over the coming weeks. This will give the fans a controller-first, full-screen gaming experience right on their PCs.

So, what does this mode exactly do? Microsoft's Xbox Mode brings a console-style interface directly to Windows 11. It replaces the traditional desktop view with a streamlined gaming dashboard. XBox Wire reported this via X.

"Beginning today, we’re excited to share that Xbox mode will begin rolling out to Windows 11 PCs, bringing a console-inspired Xbox experience to more players than ever."

Players get a dedicated controller navigation system for browsing, launching, and switching between games, without the need for a keyboard or mouse. The whole system focuses heavily on accessibility and simplicity, especially for players who prefer a console-like setup.

One of the biggest highlights of Xbox Mode is the unified game library. It brings all the titles under one roof, like Xbox Game Pass and even third-party storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net. Thus, players don't need to jump on different launchers for different games anymore.

This system runs on top of Windows 11 rather than replacing it. Hence, there is no compromise of compatibility with existing PC games and applications. Whenever players want, they can switch back to the standard desktop mode.

Xbox Mode was originally introduced as the “full screen experience” on handheld devices like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. Now, this feature has evolved over time, based on user feedback. This is a testament to Microsoft's larger push toward a unified gaming ecosystem across devices.

With Xbox Mode coming soon to all systems, it will be in direct competition with the likes of Steam’s Big Picture mode and Linux-based SteamOS. But the native Windows compatibility is where this new Xbox-based feature might win the race

How to Get Xbox Mode on Windows 11 PCs

As of now, Xbox Mode is deployed through Windows Update in a phased rollout. So, not everyone is going to enjoy gaming on the go, on their PCs. But they can surely ensure their system is set to receive the latest updates.

Here are the steps:

1. Open Settings on your PC (It must be running on Windows 11)
2. Find Windows Update and click on it
3. Enable the Get the latest updates as soon as they are available option.

That's it. Once you get the correct update, the Xbox Mode can be launched directly, no further installations needed.

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Written by

Nilendu Brahma

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi