Enhance Your PC Gaming with Xbox Ally Capability

You can now convert your PC gaming handheld into an Xbox Ally, thanks to new developments embraced by Windows gamers. This transformation allows devices like the Asus ROG Ally and MSI handhelds to emulate an Xbox handheld, creating a more immersive gaming experience from the convenience of your handheld device.

Unlocking the Xbox Full Screen Experience

By enabling the Xbox Full Screen Experience on Windows 11 handhelds, gamers can bypass the traditional Windows Explorer, which not only speeds up the startup process but also provides a memory efficiency boost. Without the need to load Explorer and other desktop components, players are thrust directly into their favorite games, minimizing distractions and maximizing performance.

Requirements and Implementation

The journey to transform your handheld begins with the installation of Windows 11 25H2 (Release Preview). Once installed, the option to enable the full screen Xbox experience might appear under Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience. If it doesn’t show up automatically, gamers have the alternative of employing a third-party tool known as Vive. However, using these unofficial tweaks and adjustments in the Windows Registry comes with inherent risks and should be approached with caution.

Flexibility and Functionality

Importantly, enabling this full screen experience doesn’t lock users into a single mode. Gamers retain the flexibility to switch to Desktop mode at any time, allowing them to launch other Windows applications as necessary. This versatility ensures that the functionality of the device isn’t compromised, offering the best of both worlds: robust gaming capability and the standard versatility of a Windows operating system.

Upcoming Hardware Launch

The anticipation surrounding Xbox Ally is set to heighten with the launch of new hardware, including the much-awaited ROG Xbox Ally models. Scheduled for release on October 16, these models promise to take the gaming experience to new heights, capitalizing on the seamless integration of Xbox functionality with Windows handhelds. As gamers look forward to this date, the existing capability to transform current devices into Xbox allies provides a glimpse into the future of handheld gaming.

Update: 18 Sep 2025