Windows Gaming: Full screen experience

What is Xbox mode?

Xbox mode is a console inspired, dedicated gaming experience that gives players a controller-optimized way to navigate and play on Windows.  When using Xbox mode, Windows will start your gaming home app to use as a launcher for your games and apps and games will be run full screen.

Xbox mode requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, and is only available in supported markets.

Setting up Xbox mode

On gaming handheld devices:​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​

1. Select Start > Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode.

2. Under Choose home app, select a supported gaming home app installed on your device.

   • Adds entry points in Game Bar and Task View.

   • Selecting None turns off Xbox mode.

3. (Optional) Turn on Enter Xbox mode on startup to start Xbox mode automatically after you sign in.

   • When this setting is on, Windows limits background processes to improve performance while gaming.

On other PC form factors:

1. Select Start > Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode.

2. Turn on Enable Xbox mode.

   • Entry points will be available in Game Bar and the Xbox app.

3. (Optional) Turn on Show Xbox mode in Task View to add an entry point in Task View.

Enter and exit Xbox mode

Enter Xbox mode:

You can enter Xbox mode in any of the following ways (when enabled):

• From Game Bar (Win + G or Xbox button) > Settings
  
  

• From Task View (Win + Tab or taskbar icon)
  
  

• Press Win + F11

On gaming handhelds, Xbox mode starts automatically at sign-in when Enter Xbox mode on startup is turned on.

Exit Xbox mode:

To get to your Windows desktop while you’re in Xbox mode, you can also use Game Bar settings or Task View to return to your desktop.  On touch-enabled devices, swiping up from the bottom of the screen will open also Task View.  You can also exit Xbox mode by pressing Win + F11.

On gaming handhelds, when Enter Xbox mode on startup is on, you’ll be asked if you want to restart your device to take advantage of these performance optimizations when you re-enter Xbox mode after using the Windows desktop.  You can choose to restart your device to do this or continue to Xbox mode without restarting.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

App behavior in Xbox mode

Some apps behave differently in Xbox mode than on the Windows desktop.

While you are in Xbox mode:

• Only one window is displayed at a time.

• Apps are displayed full screen when possible.

• Apps that open multiple windows may show only the most recent window.

• Apps that do not support full screen are shown on a black background.

• Window controls such as minimize and maximize do not change window state.

• Some desktop keyboard shortcuts are disabled. 

Navigating between apps in Xbox mode

To switch between open apps and games, open Task View (Win + Tab, long press on the Xbox button, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen). Use the left stick, the shoulder buttons (LB/RB) on your controller, or arrow keys to move between open items. Press A to bring an app to the foreground or press X to close it.

You can always get back to your gaming home app from Task View or from the Home button in Game Bar (Win + G, Xbox button, or swipe in from the left).  If supported, you can also go directly to your home app’s game library from the Library button in Game Bar.

Managing startup apps

On gaming handhelds, when Enter Xbox mode on startup is enabled, apps start only the first time you switch to the Windows desktop. Reducing startup activity can improve battery life and gaming performance.

To change startup behavior:

1. Open Settings > Apps > Startup.

2. Set an app to:

   • Start at log in to allow it to run in Xbox mode.

   • Start when exiting to desktop to start apps only after switching to the desktop.

   • Off to prevent it from starting, including when switching to the desktop.