PC gamers on Windows-powered handhelds like the older Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go have no doubt been eyeing the new Xbox-branded Asus devices, as they’re the first ones to get Windows 11’s dedicated gaming interface. This will come to other devices eventually… but a new user-developed tool lets you try the Xbox Fullscreen Experience early.
The Xbox Fullscreen Experience (or FSE as Microsoft abbreviates it) is a dedicated Windows 11 mode that dispenses with a lot of background elements, including the desktop and taskbar. This gives smaller touchscreen devices like the Ally a unified interface that can compete with the Steam Deck instead of relying upon third-party software. Though the FSE is exclusive to the ROG Xbox Ally and its beefed-up X variant at the moment, it’s available in Insider preview form to some MSI Claw handhelds—and modders have enabled it on other devices.
But tinkering around in Windows Insider builds isn’t for everyone. Enter the Xbox Full Screen Experience Tool, a GitHub project spotted by ROG Ally Life that streamlines the process of turning this option on. Using this app, you can click a single button, then reboot the device and (hopefully) get that shiny new interface up and running. All you need is a relatively recent version of Windows 11 (24H2 or later) and an up-to-date version of the Microsoft Store, along with the Xbox and Xbox Game Bar apps.
The tool is pretty straightforward as these things go, with only a single settings toggle required to get it going once the reboot is applied. You can even try your hand at running the Xbox Fullscreen Experience on a non-handheld device, though that requires a deeper dive (and I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who actually wants to use their device for more than gaming). But if you don’t like the changes, you can revert them with a single button and another reboot… at least, if the tool works correctly.
As someone who’s very interested in how Microsoft takes more direct ownership of gaming on Windows (and handheld gaming PCs in particular), I’m excited to try this out… but also extremely nervous to do so. These kinds of tweaks can cause a lot of headaches, sometimes even without mistakes on the developer’s part. A future Windows update could also deliver system-crashing bugs. Before giving it a shot on your handheld, make sure you have your files and game saves backed up.
Author: Michael Crider
Source: PCWorld
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
