At the tail end of today's Xbox Partner Preview, it was revealed that the Xbox Full Screen Experience (XFSE), first released with the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, will be coming to PC, including other Windows handhelds.
A graphic explained that it will be "Available November 21 on Windows handhelds. Coming soon to PC for Windows Insiders" through "Xbox and other apps."
In other words, anyone with a Lenovo Legion Go, original ROG Ally, MSI Claw, AYANEO, or other Windows handheld gaming PC will be able to check out the Xbox Full Screen Experience starting tomorrow.
Is the Xbox Full Screen Experience worth it?
Now, we at Windows Central have already been able to spend a lot of time with the XFSE, as seen in detail within my Xbox Ally review and Xbox Ally X review.
In case you don't know, Xbox Full Screen Experience basically gives you the Xbox app as an interface to access your library of games from different services, interact with Xbox Game Pass titles, and purchase new games. To some extent, it attempts to make Windows handhelds operate more like dedicated gaming consoles while still giving access to the full Windows desktop.
Additionally, and more importantly, it reduces the background programs that typically run on Windows. In turn, this optimizes Windows for gaming, allowing games to run more smoothly and sometimes offering better battery life.
But the question remains: Is the Xbox Full Screen Experience worth it?
Months back, my colleague, Zac Bowden, was able to go hands-on with the Xbox Ally handhelds before they released, and his thoughts on Microsoft's Windows handheld optimization mirror my own.
He said that it feels more like a "band-aid solution to address the UX problems faced when using Windows on small screens, but doesn't address bigger platform level issues with Windows 11."
However, he also noted that future improvements could make the experience more ideal, and that's what I'm hoping for as well.
After all, Xbox Full Screen Experience is literally competing with the Steam Deck's popular SteamOS, attempting to persuade people to stick with Windows rather than the Linux-based operating system. So, if Microsoft wants to keep PC gamers on Windows, it's in the company's best interest to continue to improve and enhance the Xbox full-screen mode.
You don't have to wait if you don't want to, or you could go with SteamOS
In case you're wondering, we have previously installed this Xbox Full Screen mode on the original ROG Ally, and explained how it improves the gaming experience. So you can check that out if you're on the fence about installing it on your handheld.
Of course, if you're really impatient and can't wait until tomorrow, we have a guide on how to use a free tool to mimic the Xbox Full Screen experience on your Windows handheld right now.
Alternatively, you can choose to go the other route and follow our guide on how to install SteamOS on your Windows handheld. If that catches your interest, you should check out my four pros and three cons of installing SteamOS on your handheld, first. That way, you'll have a better understanding of whether SteamOS or Xbox Full Screen Experience with Windows is a better fit for you.
Just so you know, performance testing has shown that Windows 11 is no match for SteamOS (thanks, TechRadar). Additionally, people have previously found that Xbox Ally X might get better performance on Linux (thanks, PC Gamer).
That said, performance and system efficiency are certainly things to consider when deciding between Windows and SteamOS, but having Windows on a portable gaming device offers certain features and an experience that some people might prefer.
Either way, it's definitely worth checking XFSE out on your Windows handheld when it becomes generally available for Windows handhelds tomorrow.
You might find you really like it. And if you don't, you can always uninstall it and try something else.
Xbox Full Screen Experience FAQ
When does Xbox Full Screen Experience come to PC and other Windows handhelds?
Xbox Full Screen Experience is coming to all Windows handhelds and PCs starting November 21, 2025.
Is Xbox Full Screen Experience worth it?
In my opinion, Xbox Full Screen Experience could definitely still be improved upon. However, it does help Windows handhelds run more efficiently by reducing background programs and also provides a more convenient interface if you want to access games in a more console-like UI.
Is Xbox Full Screen Experience better than SteamOS on handhelds?
This is honestly a matter of opinion. Some people prefer Xbox Full Screen Experience while others prefer SteamOS. In general, SteamOS on a Windows handheld has been seen to improve the handheld's performance, but it also changes the way you interact with your device.
You can always experiment and see which option you like best.
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