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On the original 2023 ROG Ally (RC71), the quickest shortcuts are the eight combinations that hold M1 or M2 while pressing a D-pad direction or face button. The other seven tips below cover dedicated controls, desktop navigation, and ways to find or customize those functions—not seven more universal M1/M2 defaults. Button layout and software behavior vary by model and settings.
The eight default M1/M2 shortcuts on the original ROG Ally
On the original ROG Ally (2023, RC71), hold either rear macro button—M1 or M2—while pressing the indicated control. ASUS lists these combinations in the ROG Ally (2023) User Manual.
| Hold M1 or M2 and press | Default result |
|---|---|
| D-pad up | Shows the on-screen keyboard |
| D-pad down | Opens Task Manager |
| D-pad left | Shows the desktop |
| D-pad right | Opens Task View |
| A | Takes a screenshot |
| B | Opens Windows Notification Center |
| X | Opens projection settings |
| Y | Starts or stops screen recording |
These are the manual’s defaults for the original RC71, not a guarantee for every Ally model or a device whose controls have been remapped. ASUS says button functions can be customized, and an individual game profile may use different assignments from global settings.
Three ways to open the on-screen keyboard
Use the rear-button shortcut
Hold M1 or M2 and press D-pad up. ASUS’s ROG Ally Series Frequently Asked Questions also gives this combination for bringing up the keyboard.
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Use Command Center or the taskbar
If the shortcut does not work, ASUS lists opening the keyboard from Command Center or tapping the keyboard icon at the bottom-right of the Windows taskbar as alternatives.
Know when keyboard controls change
ASUS documents a Gamepad Layout Keyboard behavior for ROG Ally RC71/RC72 and ROG Xbox Ally RC73YA/RC73XA when the device has Windows 11 Version 24H2 build 26100.3624 or later, update KB5053656 (released March 27, 2025), and Armoury Crate SE v2.1.10.0 or later. In that foreground keyboard mode, the D-pad and A/B/X/Y select characters, and cursor input is temporarily disabled. Those version and model requirements matter; this is not a universal behavior across every Windows installation.
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- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
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Seven more controls and workflow tips
These are useful built-in controls and workflows, but they are not additional M1/M2 defaults. Follow the instruction for your model and current software layout.
9. Open Armoury Crate SE using the model’s dedicated control
On RC71/RC72 models, press the Armoury Crate button. On RC73 models, press the Command Center button, then select Open Armoury Crate SE. ASUS’s Armoury Crate SE Introduction describes these model-specific routes; do not assume the button or menu is identical across chassis.
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- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 1TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
10. Open Command Center
RC73 models have a Command Center button. The RC71/RC72 family also provides Command Center access, but check your device guide and current software layout for the exact control rather than assuming the RC73 one-press instruction applies.
11. Navigate Armoury Crate SE with the game controls
ASUS says the left stick or D-pad highlights items, A selects, B goes back, and LB/RB switch between sections. This is handy when you would rather stay on the handheld controls than reach for the touchscreen.
12. Control the Windows desktop in Desktop Mode
ASUS describes the default Desktop Mode inputs this way: the right joystick moves the cursor, the right bumper left-clicks, and the right trigger right-clicks. The behavior can be customized, so a changed profile may not match this layout.
13. Find screenshots and recordings
To locate captures, press the left bumper and choose Open file location in the popup. Alternatively, open File Explorer and go to Home Folder > Videos > Captures, as described in ASUS’s FAQ.
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- XBOX EXPERIENCE BROUGHT TO LIFE BY ROG The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- XBOX GAME BAR INTEGRATION Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- ALL YOUR GAMES, ALL YOUR PROGRESS Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- NEVER STOP GAMING Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- GAME-READY STORAGE AND FAST MEMORY Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
14. Switch between Gamepad Mode and Desktop Mode
Armoury Crate SE offers both Gamepad Mode and Desktop Mode. Use the mode suited to the task: gamepad controls for compatible games, or desktop-oriented inputs when navigating Windows. If the controls feel wrong, check which mode is active before changing individual assignments.
15. Remap buttons—and check the game profile
Armoury Crate SE lets you configure button functions and secondary functions. ASUS describes secondary functions as actions accessed by holding a rear paddle and pressing its assigned button. Because an individual game profile can differ from global settings, check the active profile if a shortcut behaves differently than expected.
Quick Recap
When a shortcut does not work
- Check the model. The eight combinations above are documented defaults for the 2023 RC71 Ally; the RC73 ROG Xbox Ally uses a different documented route to open Armoury Crate SE.
- Check the active mapping. Button assignments can be customized, and a game profile may override global settings.
- Use the relevant fallback. For the keyboard, try Command Center or the taskbar keyboard icon. For Armoury Crate SE, follow the route for your model.
- Check keyboard-mode prerequisites. The Gamepad Layout Keyboard behavior has specific model, Windows update/build, and Armoury Crate SE version requirements; see the conditions above.
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