From PC World: Microsoft is expanding the connection between Xbox and Windows 11. Starting in April 2026, all Windows 11 PCs—from laptops to desktops to tablets—will receive the new Xbox mode, which replaces the previous Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) and offers a console-like interface for games, optimized for full-screen display and controllers.
Xbox Mode is designed to allow players to switch seamlessly between productive work and gaming without compromising the flexibility of Windows. Microsoft emphasizes that the interface has been specifically designed to bring the console experience to the PC.
For developers, Xbox Mode means an easier way to ship games that work well on both Xbox and PC simultaneously. Xbox Play Anywhere currently allows more than 1,500 games to be played on both platforms, with progress and scores being retained. This saves developers effort, while players can flexibly play their games on multiple devices.
At the same time, Microsoft is laying the groundwork for the next generation of Xbox—called Project Helix—with Xbox Mode. The console, whose alpha hardware is scheduled to be delivered to developers in 2027, will support PC games as well as Xbox titles. This will further blur the lines between console and PC gaming.
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