Xbox Full Screen Experience is now called Xbox mode. It gives supported Windows 11 PCs and gaming handhelds a controller-first, console-style interface for launching games, browsing libraries, and switching between open gaming apps. Enable it at Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode, then press Win + F11 to enter.
What Xbox Full Screen Experience is—and what it is not
Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) is now generally called Xbox mode. It is a Windows 11 gaming interface designed for controller-first navigation. Instead of working through the normal desktop, you get a console-style full-screen home screen with access to Xbox and Game Pass content and, where supported, installed games from other major PC storefronts.
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It is a Windows-level gaming shell, not the “Full Screen” display option inside an individual game. It is also different from the Xbox app: the Xbox app can provide the gaming home or an entry point, while Xbox mode changes how Windows presents games and apps.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOn supported Windows 11 PCs, laptops, tablets, and gaming handhelds, you can switch between Xbox mode and the ordinary Windows desktop without rebooting. The feature is available only in supported markets and is rolling out gradually.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Before you begin
- Use Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2. Microsoft lists Xbox mode for all editions of those versions, subject to market availability.
- Install available Windows updates. The feature may not appear immediately even on a compatible device because Microsoft is expanding access in stages.
- Use a controller if possible. A mouse and keyboard can still be useful for setup and unsupported desktop applications, but Xbox mode is designed around controller navigation.
Microsoft began rolling Xbox mode out to Windows 11 PCs in selected markets on April 30, 2026, with availability expanding over time. To improve your chance of receiving newly released features, open Settings > Windows Update and enable Get the latest updates as soon as they are available. That setting does not bypass regional or staged availability.
How to enable Xbox mode on a Windows 11 PC, laptop, or tablet
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Gaming > Xbox mode.
- Turn on Enable Xbox mode.
- Optionally enable Show Xbox mode in Task View. This adds a dedicated Xbox mode entry to the Task View interface.
After enabling it, enter Xbox mode with Win + F11, through Game Bar, from Task View, or from the Xbox app.
Do not worry if your menu uses the old name. Some Windows builds still show Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience instead of Xbox mode. The older “Full screen experience” label refers to the same general feature family described in earlier Windows Insider documentation.
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The handheld workflow has one additional choice: you select which gaming home app Xbox mode should use.
- Open Start > Settings.
- Go to Gaming > Xbox mode. On some builds, this is still called Gaming > Full screen experience.
- Choose a supported gaming home app.
- Optionally turn on Enter Xbox mode on startup.
Choosing None disables Xbox mode entry points on the handheld. When automatic startup is enabled, Windows can limit background processes while Xbox mode is active. That may reduce distractions and improve gaming performance, but it also means the device will not behave exactly like a conventional Windows desktop after sign-in.
When Windows needs to apply the handheld optimization, it may ask whether you want to restart as you re-enter Xbox mode. This is separate from switching between Xbox mode and the desktop on a regular PC, which does not normally require a restart.
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How to enter Xbox mode
Once the feature is enabled, use whichever entry point is most convenient:
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- Keyboard shortcut: press Win + F11.
- Game Bar: press Win + G, open Game Bar settings, and choose Xbox mode. On a controller, you can usually press the Xbox button to open Game Bar.
- Task View: press Win + Tab or select the Task View icon, then choose Xbox mode.
- Xbox app: use the Xbox app’s Xbox mode entry point where it is available on your rollout.
For a living-room PC connected to a television, Win + F11 is usually the quickest way to move between the desktop and the controller-oriented interface. Remember that the shortcut only enters the feature after Xbox mode has been enabled in Settings.
How to navigate Xbox mode and switch between open apps
Xbox mode presents one window at a time and prioritizes controller navigation. From the Xbox mode home screen, browse the gaming home app and available libraries, then select a game to launch it.
To switch between games and apps that are already open:
- Open Task View with Win + Tab.
- Alternatively, long-press the Xbox button on a controller, or swipe up from the bottom edge on a touch-enabled device.
- Move through the open items with the controller’s left stick or shoulder buttons, or with the keyboard arrow keys.
- Press A on a controller to bring the selected item forward.
- Press X to close the selected item.
On a touchscreen, choose the Windows desktop from the bottom-edge Task View interface if you need to return to ordinary Windows. Exact controller behavior can vary slightly by device and build.
What games and libraries appear?
Xbox mode can show Xbox and Game Pass titles together with installed games from leading PC storefronts. It is an aggregated view, not a promise that every launcher, storefront, or game will appear in exactly the same way.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Library visibility can depend on several factors:
- whether the relevant launcher is installed;
- whether you are signed in to the account associated with the game;
- whether the title is installed or available through that service;
- the game’s launcher and window behavior; and
- your region and the current version of the Xbox and related apps.
If a game is missing, first open its launcher normally, confirm that you are signed in, and verify that the game is installed or available in that library. “Leading PC storefronts” should not be interpreted as universal support for every PC marketplace.
How to return to the Windows 11 desktop
You can leave Xbox mode at any time without restarting Windows:
- Open Task View and select Windows desktop.
- Open Game Bar and leave Xbox mode through its settings.
- Press Win + F11 again.
- On a touchscreen, swipe up from the bottom to open Task View and select the desktop.
On a handheld configured to enter Xbox mode at startup, leaving to the desktop does not necessarily undo the startup preference. To restore normal desktop behavior at the next sign-in, turn off Enter Xbox mode on startup.
Using a controller with Xbox mode
A physical controller is not strictly required for every entry point, but it makes the experience much more practical. The Xbox Wireless Controller is an optional choice that Microsoft lists as compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11. It supports Bluetooth connectivity with Windows PCs, includes a 3.5 mm headset jack, and works with the Xbox Accessories app on Windows.
For controller firmware or accessory configuration through the Xbox Accessories app, Microsoft notes that a compatible USB-C cable may be required and is sold separately. That cable is not a general requirement for entering Xbox mode; it is relevant when wireless pairing or the app’s supported connection workflow is not sufficient.
Important limitations
Xbox mode is not simply a maximized Windows window. It deliberately changes window presentation to keep the interface focused on gaming:
- Only one window is displayed at a time.
- Apps appear full screen when they support that presentation.
- An app that opens multiple windows may show only its most recent window.
- An app that does not support full-screen presentation may appear against a black background.
- Minimize and maximize controls may not change the window state as they do on the desktop.
- Some familiar desktop keyboard shortcuts are disabled or behave differently.
These limitations make sense for a television or handheld gaming setup, but they make Xbox mode a poor environment for productivity software, multi-window workflows, fixed-size utilities, and applications that depend on conventional desktop controls. Return to the desktop for those tasks.
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Earlier Insider builds also reported issues such as missing virtual keyboards for controller users on non-touch devices and problems with apps that require fixed window sizes or launch additional windows. Those reports describe preview-build behavior and should not be treated as universal defects in every current release.
Rank #4
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Troubleshooting Xbox mode
The Xbox mode setting is missing
- Open Settings > System > About and confirm that you are running Windows 11 version 24H2 or later.
- Install all available Windows updates.
- Check Settings > Windows Update and enable Get the latest updates as soon as they are available if you want earlier access to eligible feature updates.
- Look for the older label under Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience.
- Check whether your device is in a supported market and remember that Microsoft is using a gradual rollout.
A compatible Windows version does not guarantee immediate access. Do not assume that reinstalling the Xbox app or changing game settings will force the Windows feature to appear.
Win + F11 does nothing
Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode and verify that Enable Xbox mode is on. If the setting is still called Full screen experience, check that menu instead.
Then try another entry point: press Win + G and use Game Bar, or press Win + Tab and choose Xbox mode. The shortcut is an entry method, not a replacement for enabling the feature.
Not every game appears on the home screen
Confirm that the appropriate launcher is installed, that you are signed in, and that the game is installed or available in the relevant library. Some storefronts and titles may not be represented identically, and Microsoft does not describe the feature as supporting every PC storefront universally.
An app opens incorrectly or the controls are missing
That may be normal Xbox mode behavior rather than a broken installation. Apps that require multiple visible windows, fixed dimensions, standard minimize and maximize controls, or desktop-only keyboard shortcuts may not work well in the shell. Open Task View and select Windows desktop, then use the app normally there.
The handheld behaves differently after startup mode is enabled
Automatic startup can limit background activity while Xbox mode is running. If you need ordinary Windows startup behavior, turn off Enter Xbox mode on startup. You can also review Settings > Apps > Startup to control which programs run when you sign in, when you exit to the desktop, or not at all, depending on the options available in your Windows build.
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Quick reference
| Task | Current path or shortcut |
|---|---|
| Enable on PC | Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode > Enable Xbox mode |
| Enable on older-labeled builds | Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience |
| Enter Xbox mode | Win + F11, Game Bar, Task View, or Xbox app |
| Open Game Bar | Win + G or the Xbox button on a controller |
| Open Task View | Win + Tab |
| Switch to another open item | Task View, long-press the controller’s Xbox button, or swipe up from the bottom on touch devices |
| Exit to desktop | Select Windows desktop in Task View, use Game Bar, or press Win + F11 |
Which setting should you use?
- Use Xbox mode when you want a controller-first Windows interface for launching and switching between games.
- Use an individual game’s full-screen display setting when you only want that game to occupy the screen.
- Use the normal Windows desktop when you need multiple windows, productivity tools, fixed-size apps, or complete keyboard and mouse behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Xbox mode the same as putting a game in full screen?
No. Xbox mode is a Windows-level controller-focused gaming interface. A game’s own full-screen display option changes only that game’s presentation.
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A controller is recommended but is not universally required for every entry point. You can enter Xbox mode with the keyboard, Game Bar, Task View, or the Xbox app.
Which Windows 11 versions support Xbox mode?
Microsoft lists Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2, all editions, subject to supported-market availability. The feature is rolling out gradually, so an eligible device may not receive it immediately.
How do I get back to the Windows desktop?
Yes. Press Win + F11 again, open Task View and select Windows desktop, or leave Xbox mode through Game Bar settings.
The Bottom Line
To use Xbox Full Screen Experience in Windows 11, open Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode, enable it, and enter with Win + F11, Game Bar, Task View, or the Xbox app. On some builds the setting is still called Full screen experience. Xbox mode is best understood as a controller-oriented Windows gaming shell—not as an individual game’s full-screen setting—and it remains dependent on Windows version, market, device support, and the gradual rollout.
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