Microsoft is on the brink of launch its Xbox full-screen expertise on the new Xbox Ally gadgets subsequent month, but it surely seems such as you gained’t want new {hardware} to get it. Home windows fans have found a method to allow this new Xbox mode early in Home windows 11, because of the most recent 25H2 replace to the working system.
The tactic, which includes putting in a Launch Preview model of Home windows 11 and many tweaks, works on a wide range of handheld gaming PCs — together with MSI’s Claw gadgets and Asus’ ROG Ally vary. I’ve been attempting it out on the unique ROG Ally immediately, and it permits the system to disregard Asus’ personal software program in favor of Microsoft’s Xbox app at boot.
The brand new Xbox full-screen expertise doesn’t load the total Home windows desktop or a bunch of background processes, releasing up extra reminiscence for video games. It’s primarily not loading the Explorer shell and saving round 2GB of reminiscence by suppressing all of the pointless components of a typical Home windows 11 set up.
You launch straight into the Xbox PC app as an alternative, which incorporates your entire PC video games from the Microsoft Retailer, Battle.web, Steam, and different storefronts. There’s a Sport Bar for navigating round, and a brand new job view that’s much more handheld-friendly.
You can too nonetheless swap right into a Home windows desktop mode, or entry Home windows apps and video games instantly on this full-screen Xbox mode. Microsoft warns that you simply’re exiting to the Home windows desktop and that it is best to use contact or a mouse and keyboard “for one of the best expertise,” and it’s the very same Home windows expertise that exists on a number of gadgets proper now.
If you wish to do this out for your self, it’s a comparatively straightforward course of to get going. However be warned, twiddling with registry settings or the Home windows Characteristic Retailer (referred to as Velocity) might end in system instability. When you’re keen to danger some points that may want rolling again or require a reinstall of Home windows, there’s a useful information on Reddit for all of the settings required.