Xbox Full Screen Experience Rolls Out to Third-Party Handhelds

Microsoft has announced that it is expanding its Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE)—initially exclusive to ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X—to third-party Windows handheld devices. Users with Windows 11 build 26220.7051 on the Dev or Beta channel will notice a new option under Settings > Gaming > Full Screen Experience. This feature allows the Xbox PC app to take over the screen at startup, hiding the desktop and reducing background tasks, similar to a living-room console. FSE can also be activated from the Task View or Game Bar.

The interface is designed to be minimalistic. Game tiles occupy the entire display, navigation is controlled by a game controller, and typical Windows elements are hidden to ensure that gamer's attention and resources are focused at the game. Microsoft states that this mode also pauses maintenance activities and mutes notifications to maintain consistent frame delivery, whether you're on a bus, sofa, or in front of a TV. Task View and Game Bar offer a way to return to the desktop if needed, so that your regular PC work besides gaming can be done. Interestingly, Microsoft is rolling out this feature before its next-generation console hits mass production. Microsoft is reportedly planning a hybrid approach with a console that can also run regular PC services, and FSE could be one of the elements making this happen.
Read full story