"Microsoft announced this week at the Game Developers Conference that other Windows 11 PCs "in select markets" would be getting what's now being called "Xbox mode" starting in April. Under the hood, a PC running in Xbox mode is still running regular-old Windows, with the same capabilities as any other PC."
"There are system services and UI elements (like the standard Start menu and taskbar) that don't launch when the system is in Xbox mode, something Microsoft claims can save a gigabyte or two of RAM while also allowing systems to use less energy. Users can return to Windows' traditional desktop mode whenever they want, though."
"The seams between the controller-friendly interface and the mouse-and-keyboard version of Windows were the most visible when trying to download and launch games from third-party game stores like Steam and the Epic Games Store, which generally required you to use those store apps to buy and download games before they could be launched from the comfort of Xbox mode."
Microsoft is expanding Xbox mode, a controller-driven full-screen gaming interface originally exclusive to the ROG Xbox Ally X, to other Windows 11 PCs in select markets beginning in April. Xbox mode runs on top of standard Windows but disables certain system services and UI elements like the Start menu and taskbar, potentially saving one to two gigabytes of RAM and reducing energy consumption. Users retain full access to traditional Windows desktop mode whenever needed. Despite its benefits, Xbox mode presents integration challenges, particularly with third-party game stores like Steam and Epic Games Store, which require separate app interactions before launching games within the Xbox interface.
Read at Ars Technica
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