Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Yes—the Xbox Full Screen Experience was real, but the November 2025 announcement described a phased preview, not an immediate release to every Windows user. It expanded the controller-first interface to Windows 11 laptops, desktops and tablets for people enrolled in both the Windows Insider Dev or Beta Channel and the Xbox Insider PC Gaming Preview. Microsoft later renamed the feature Xbox mode; its gradual rollout to Windows 11 PCs in select markets began on April 30, 2026. Availability still depends on Windows version, market and rollout status.
What Microsoft announced in November 2025
On November 21, 2025, Microsoft said the Xbox Full Screen Experience preview was expanding beyond Windows handhelds to laptops, desktops and tablets. The Windows Insider release was build 26220.7271 for the Dev and Beta Channels, with access rolling out gradually rather than appearing for everyone at once. Microsoft’s Windows Insider announcement covered the PC expansion, while Xbox Wire’s announcement described the controller-focused interface and preview enrollment.
The name has since changed. Microsoft’s April 30, 2026 announcement calls it Xbox mode and says the gradual Windows 11 rollout began in select markets. So if current Windows settings show “Xbox mode” rather than “Full Screen Experience,” that is the newer name—not a different feature. Availability is not universal. See Xbox Wire’s Xbox mode rollout announcement for the current public rollout context.
What the mode does—and what it does not
Xbox mode presents a full-screen, controller-navigable gaming home in place of the usual Windows desktop workflow. Its goal is to make it quicker to find and start games, switch among open games and apps, and return to the desktop when needed. Microsoft describes a library that can surface Xbox games, Game Pass titles, Xbox Play Anywhere games and installed games from popular PC storefronts.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
An aggregated library is not a guarantee that every PC game will appear or behave alike. Storefront integration, a game’s own launcher or DRM, controller support and library refresh behavior can all affect discovery and launching. You still need the relevant game and any required launcher, and access to Game Pass titles depends on the applicable subscription and catalog availability. A Game Pass subscription is not a stated requirement just to use the interface.
This is a Windows gaming experience, not a replacement operating system or a console conversion. Windows remains underneath, and you can leave the mode for the desktop. It also is not evidence of a universal frame-rate boost. Microsoft documents background-process limits for handheld startup behavior, but performance depends on the device, game, drivers, power settings and other software.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Who could join the original preview?
The 2025 PC preview involved two Insider enrollments: a Windows Insider Dev or Beta Channel build, and the Xbox Insider Program’s PC Gaming Preview. Joining only one was not the advertised route, and even people enrolled in both could have to wait for the staged rollout.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Install or open the Xbox Insider Hub.
- Open Previews, choose PC Gaming Preview and select Join.
- Enroll the PC in the Windows Insider Dev or Beta Channel and install the offered update. The November announcement cited build 26220.7271.
- Install or update the Xbox app from the Microsoft Store, then check Windows gaming settings after the feature reaches your device.
Those steps describe the original preview, not a requirement that every current Xbox mode user enroll in Insider builds. Current Xbox mode documentation lists Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, a supported market and the relevant gaming home app, such as the Xbox app. Insider builds can change and may be less suitable for a PC you depend on for work; consider the risks before moving your primary machine onto a preview channel.
Rank #3
- PLAY LIKE A PRO — The XBOX Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 features over 30 ways to play like a pro. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, it puts exceptional performance, customization, and durability where it matters most.
- ADJUSTABLE-TENSION THUMBSTICKS — Fine-tune your aim with thumbsticks that let you adjust resistance for improved accuracy, consistency, and control in every match.
- SHORTER HAIR TRIGGER LOCKS — Fire faster and react quicker with three-step hair trigger locks that reduce pull distance for rapid input in competitive gameplay.
- INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENTS — Swap thumbstick toppers, D-pads, and paddles to tailor your controller to your preferred gaming style. Includes 6 thumbsticks, 4 paddles, 2 D-pads, carrying case, and charging dock.
- SAVE AND SWITCH PROFILES — Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly with the dedicated Profile button. Even pick which color the XBOX button lights up as.
How to enable and open Xbox mode now
On supported current builds, open Start > Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode, then turn on Enable Xbox mode. You can optionally turn on Show Xbox mode in Task View. Older preview builds may instead label the page Full screen experience, so follow the wording available on your installed build.
Microsoft documents several ways to enter or leave the mode:
Rank #4
- XBOX ELITE WIRELESS CONTROLLER SERIES 2: Play like a pro with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger locks..Audio : 3.5mm stereo headset jack. Also compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter and all other Xbox controller accessories made by Microsoft.
- CORE ESSENTIALS: Includes just the components you need to unleash your best game. Additional components sold separately for even more customization with the Complete Component Pack.
- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
- Press
Win + F11. - Open Game Bar with
Win + Gor the Xbox button on a controller, then use its settings. - Open Task View with
Win + Taband choose the gaming experience or Windows desktop.
Task View can also be opened with a long press of the Xbox button, or a swipe up from the bottom on a touch-enabled device. Compatible controllers can navigate open items with the left stick and shoulder buttons. For the current supported paths and behavior, consult Microsoft’s Xbox mode support documentation.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Handhelds have an extra startup option
On supported handhelds, the same Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode page offers a Choose home app option and may offer Enter Xbox mode on startup. Startup mode is more than a shortcut: Microsoft says it can limit background processes to improve gaming performance, changes startup-app behavior, and may require a restart when returning to Xbox mode after using the desktop. That device-specific behavior should not be generalized into a guaranteed performance or battery-life gain for every PC.
Best Value
- 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.
Trade-offs for laptops and desktops
The interface prioritizes one full-screen app at a time. Multi-window apps may show only their most recent window; apps without full-screen support may appear against a black background. Minimize and maximize controls may not work like they do on the desktop, and some desktop keyboard shortcuts are disabled. That is a reasonable compromise for couch or handheld play, but a poor fit if you expect conventional windowed multitasking while gaming.
| Likely a good fit | Consider staying on the desktop |
|---|---|
| Handheld owners who want a console-like gaming home and controller navigation. | People who regularly arrange several windows or rely on desktop shortcuts. |
| Controller-first laptop or TV-connected PC players switching among supported game libraries. | Mouse-and-keyboard players who prefer launching games directly from desktop tools. |
| Players who want less desktop navigation before starting a game. | Anyone who expects every storefront, launcher and game to integrate identically. |
On a standard desktop or laptop, the main benefit is a different navigation and launch workflow—not a new game catalog, a new Windows edition or a proven boost to game performance.
If Xbox mode or a game is missing
- The setting is absent: Check that the PC runs Windows 11 version 24H2 or later and is in a supported market. On the original preview path, verify both Windows Insider Dev/Beta enrollment and Xbox Insider PC Gaming Preview enrollment.
- You see “Full Screen Experience” instead: That can reflect older build labels. Microsoft now calls the feature Xbox mode, but menu names vary with the installed build.
- You enrolled but did not get the preview: The original rollout was phased. Check for Windows and Xbox app updates, restart, then check Settings > Gaming again; enrollment did not guarantee immediate access.
- A game is missing: Confirm it is installed, its storefront launcher is installed and signed in, and the Xbox app has refreshed its library. Some games may still require a separate launcher, and Microsoft promises integration with popular or leading storefronts—not every title.
- Desktop apps feel awkward: Exit to the regular Windows desktop for conventional multitasking; the one-window presentation is an intended trade-off.
For feedback on the original Insider preview, Microsoft directed users to Feedback Hub under Gaming and Xbox > Gaming Full Screen Experience.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
