
Xbox mode lands on Windows 11 PCs in April with a streamlined gaming UI
Microsoft will roll out a dedicated Xbox-mode UI for Windows 11 PCs in select markets starting in April. The mode runs Windows underneath but hides the Start menu and taskbar to save RAM and energy, letting users switch back to the regular desktop whenever they want. Early hands-on with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X showed mixed results, and launching third‑party games still hinges on their respective stores. The update follows prior handheld UI experiments and accompanies other Game Developers Conference announcements, including DirectStorage / DirectX improvements and shader delivery tweaks for the Ally.













