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Windows handhelds are getting the new Xbox Full Screen Experience tomorrow

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Microsoft will begin rolling out its new Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) to Windows-based handhelds on November 21. Full screen mode for the Xbox app originally shipped to Xbox partner devices last month, offering a more console-like navigation experience on top of Windows 11.

While Microsoft released a preview of the MSI Claw models last month, it is now making the Xbox full screen experience generally available to all Windows-based handhelds. Microsoft is expanding Xbox FSE to “more Windows 11 PC form factors through the Xbox and Windows Insider programs.”

Xbox FSE doesn’t load the entire Windows desktop or a bunch of background processes, freeing up more memory for games. This is essentially not loading the Explorer shell and saving about 2GB of memory by suppressing all the unnecessary parts of a normal Windows 11 installation.

If you decide to enable Xbox FSE on your handheld or PC, it will launch you directly into the Xbox PC app upon boot, which includes all your PC games from the Microsoft Store, Battle.net, Steam, and other storefronts. There’s also a game bar to navigate between games and the launcher, and a task view that’s designed to be more handheld-friendly.

To turn on Xbox FSE on a compatible handheld, go to Settings > Gaming > Full Screen Experience, then select Xbox as your home app.



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