Microsoft is finally taking Windows 11 seriously as a gaming platform for handheld devices. New clues dug up from recent preview builds of the operating system suggest that a dedicated “handheld mode” could be coming sooner than we expected.
This special mode would change the Windows 11 interface to make it much easier to use on small screens and with gamepad controls. Right now, using the standard desktop OS on a handheld can be a pain, with tiny icons and menus that are hard to navigate. Many users have complained that it’s a clunky experience compared to custom-built systems like SteamOS.
The latest clues come from a regular leaker on X, PhantomOfEarth, who spotted what appears to be the initial setup screen for Windows 11 on a handheld device. This was found hidden in a recent Release Preview build, which is the final stage of testing before a public release. Other tech investigators dug deeper and found more references to a “gamepad-optimized interface” and code specifically mentioning “gaming handhelds.”
It’s no surprise that Microsoft seems to be speeding up this work. A new handheld PC, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, is expected to launch later this year, and Microsoft will want its operating system to be ready for it. While these discoveries are exciting, don’t expect the feature to arrive next week.
Even though the code is in a late-stage preview build, it is still hidden in the background and not active yet. We should start to see more pieces of the puzzle falling into place in test builds soon, well before the new Asus handheld arrives.
