Xbox mode is a new feature added to Windows 11 starting in May 2026 that provides a controller-friendly, full-screen interface for PC gaming. Microsoft introduced it partly in response to Valve's SteamOS, as gamers increasingly seek alternatives to Windows for gaming. The feature represents part of Microsoft's broader effort in 2026 to improve the increasingly unpopular Windows 11 user experience.

When activated, Xbox mode removes the taskbar and desktop clutter, replacing them with a redesigned Xbox app that consolidates game libraries from multiple providers such as Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net and Ubisoft Connect in one centralised location. The feature can be enabled via Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode and accessed through several shortcuts, including Win + F11. It does not provide performance improvements—that function is handled separately by Game Mode—but rather offers a streamlined, gamepad-friendly interface designed for gaming sessions without typical Windows desktop elements.