What this rollout changes for portable gaming
Microsoft began rolling out the Windows full screen experience (FSE) on Windows 11 handhelds on November 21. The rollout introduces a controller and touch optimized launcher that departs from the traditional Windows desktop.
The update, which “lets you live inside a touch and controller friendly version of the Xbox PC app,” consolidates game libraries from Steam and the Epic Games Store. It also provides direct access to Game Pass and aggregates third party launchers to reduce discovery friction for players.
Strategically, Microsoft reduces resource use and streamlines first time setup to deliver a console like experience. As a result, it challenges competing handheld ecosystems such as SteamOS and prompts device manufacturers and software partners to adjust product roadmaps. It may presage a pivot toward making future Xbox hardware resemble high end PCs and enterprise platforms. Investors and analysts should treat the FSE deployment as a tactical repositioning within the portable gaming market.
