Microsoft is expanding its highly requested Full Screen Experience (FSE) beyond its initial exclusive release on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. This move brings a more streamlined, console-like interface to all Windows 11 gaming handhelds, aiming to enhance the gaming experience on portable devices.
Key Takeaways
- The Full Screen Experience (FSE) is now available for all Windows 11 gaming handhelds.
- This feature was previously exclusive to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.
- Microsoft plans to test FSE on additional PC form factors, including home-theater and console-like PCs.
- Users can enroll in the Xbox/Windows Insider program to try FSE on compatible devices.
A More Streamlined Gaming Interface
The Full Screen Experience is designed to offer a cleaner, more intuitive interface for gaming, consolidating titles from various digital storefronts like Steam, Epic Games, and the Microsoft Store into a single, easily navigable hub. This aims to eliminate the need to interact with the standard Windows desktop and Start menu, providing a more focused gaming session, especially when using a controller.
Expanding Beyond Handhelds
Microsoft has also indicated that the FSE is being tested for broader PC form factors. This suggests that users with home-theater PCs or other console-like setups might soon benefit from this optimized interface. To access these previews, users will need to be part of the Windows Insider Program and potentially the Xbox Insider Program.
Performance and User Experience
Beyond just aesthetics, booting directly into FSE instead of the standard Windows Explorer could potentially skip some background processes, leading to minor performance gains. This initiative aligns with the growing trend of dedicated gaming hardware and Microsoft’s efforts to make Windows 11 a more robust platform for PC gaming, drawing parallels to features like Steam’s Big Picture Mode.
Future Possibilities
The expansion of FSE has also sparked discussions about its potential applications beyond gaming handhelds. Some speculate about its adaptability to other device types, potentially leading to more tailored user experiences for different hardware configurations.
Sources
- Microsoft makes Full Screen Experience available to all Windows 11 gaming handhelds — highly requested
feature no longer exclusive to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, Tom’s Hardware. - Microsoft launches Xbox full screen experience preview for Windows 11 gaming PCs — expanding beyond handhelds
for the first time, Windows Central. - Microsoft built a Windows 11 shell for Xbox and gaming — so why can’t we get one for phones?, Windows Central.
