How Xbox mode transforms a Windows 11 PC into a console-like experience
Microsoft has been rolling out Xbox mode to Windows 11 PCs since May, replacing the desktop taskbar with a controller-friendly layout that centralizes game libraries from multiple launchers. The feature is widely seen as a response to the growing popularity of Valve's SteamOS.
Throughout 2026, Microsoft has pushed several updates aimed at improving the Windows 11 experience, and one of the most notable additions is Xbox mode. It is widely viewed as a response to Valve's SteamOS, which has been gaining traction among gamers looking for alternatives to Microsoft's ecosystem. The feature began appearing on PCs in May, so most users who regularly install updates should already have access to it.
Turning it on and using it
To enable Xbox mode, users need to go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode, switch on the toggle, and select Xbox as the home app. The mode can be launched several ways: the Win+F11 shortcut, through the Game Bar (Win+G), from within the Xbox app itself, or via Task View. Once activated, the PC switches to a full-screen, controller-friendly interface that drops the traditional desktop taskbar and displays all of a user's game libraries. Notably, Xbox mode itself does not boost gaming performance — that is handled by a separate Game Mode setting.
Who benefits most
The feature is most useful for people with games spread across multiple platforms, such as Battle.net, Epic Games and Steam — Xbox mode brings them together in one place, alongside libraries like Ubisoft Connect and Humble Launcher. Games can be launched directly from the Xbox app, though the process isn't always fast, so it helps to open the relevant third-party launcher beforehand. Subscribers to Xbox Game Pass can also access its library within Xbox mode, and the Cloud Gaming tab allows users to set Nvidia GeForce Now as their default streaming service instead of being locked into Microsoft's own offering.
Overall, Xbox mode currently amounts to a souped-up version of the Xbox app with controller support, making it more useful on handheld devices and living-room PCs than on a dedicated gaming desktop. Still, with growing interest in switching to Linux-based systems, the move signals Microsoft's effort to keep improving the gaming experience on Windows.
