Xbox Mode is set to launch on all Windows 11 PCs.

Microsoft is ramping up its efforts to merge Xbox and Windows, with the upcoming next-gen Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, set to support PC games as well. The alpha version of Helix is slated for 2027, but the company isn’t waiting that long to steer Windows gamers toward Xbox. Starting in April, it will introduce a full-screen Xbox mode for all Windows 11 devices, including laptops, desktops, and tablets, now officially dubbed “Xbox mode.”

Previously, players could experience the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) in preview since November 2025, but only if they were part of both the Windows Insider and Xbox Insider Programs. It needed refinement and a more fitting name. When it first launched on the Asus-designed Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handhelds, it didn’t quite transform the PC experience into a user-friendly Xbox one.

However, with Microsoft fully backing the idea of PC as the future of Xbox gaming, we might see improvements. The Xbox Ally has continued to receive updates, and the more expensive model now feels surprisingly reliable—something not often said about Windows handhelds.

At the 2026 Game Developers Conference, Microsoft announced it would open Advanced Shader Delivery to all developers in the Xbox store, allowing for faster game load times by delivering precompiled shaders during downloads. This technique is already common on consoles, and Valve has implemented it with Steam.

Additionally, there are hints that classic Xbox games may make their way to PC: “As part of our 25th anniversary later this year, we’ll be rolling out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past.”

For those with a technical inclination, Microsoft’s blog post contains more details on GDC announcements, including updates on DirectX (moving toward neural rendering), DirectStorage (for quicker asset loading), and graphics debugging.

For a broader look at Microsoft’s initiatives at GDC, a live story was written during the company’s Future of Xbox keynote.