Innovative Gamepad Layout
Microsoft has unveiled an exciting new feature in the latest Windows 11 build for Beta Channel users, particularly aimed at enhancing the experience for controller enthusiasts. The introduction of an on-screen keyboard tailored for gamepad users promises to streamline the typing process, allowing for seamless communication without the need to reach for a physical keyboard.
By switching to the “Gamepad” layout, users can navigate through letters using the joystick while employing various buttons on their controllers for modifier functions. For instance, the Backspace key is conveniently mapped to the X button, the Spacebar to Y, the Enter key to the menu button, and the Shift function to the left stick button. Numbers and special symbols can be accessed via the right trigger, while quick cursor navigation is facilitated by the RB and LB buttons.
This new layout is designed to feel surprisingly intuitive, allowing for relatively swift typing after a brief adjustment period. While it may not match the speed of an Xbox Chatpad or a traditional keyboard, it serves as a practical and convenient solution for users looking to send quick messages on Xbox Live from the comfort of their sofas.
The rollout of this innovative controller keyboard is currently underway for Insiders on build 22635.4145. As the deployment is gradual, some users may find that the feature is not immediately available following their update. For those eager to experience the new gamepad layout, the ViVeTool app can be utilized to enable it manually:
- Download ViveTool from GitHub and extract the files to a designated folder.
- Press Win + X and select Terminal (Admin).
- Switch Windows Terminal to the Command Prompt profile using the Ctrl + Shift + 2 shortcut or by selecting the arrow-down button at the top of the window. Alternatively, press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Enter.
- Navigate to the folder where the ViveTool files are located using the CD command, for example, CD C:Vive.
- Enter the command
vivetool /enable /id:50692135,48433719,50557073 and press Enter. - Restart your computer.
Once your system reboots, you can launch the on-screen keyboard, click the settings icon, and select Keyboard Layout > Gamepad to start enjoying this new feature.
Credit for the feature IDs goes to PhantomOfEarth on X.