Microsoft will enable Xbox mode on all PCs with Windows 11

Microsoft Unites Xbox and Windows: What It Means

*Microsoft is actively working to make the company's console and desktop ecosystems a single entity.*

- New Console – Project Helix

- Developed under the codename *Project Helix*.
- The alpha version is planned for release in 2027.
- The console will support games made for PC, allowing users to play on one device regardless of platform.

- Xbox Mode Already Available on Windows 11

- From April 2026, the full‑screen *Xbox Full Screen Experience* will appear on all devices running Windows 11 (PCs, laptops, tablets).
- The ability to try the mode was opened in the beta version of Windows 11 back in November 2025, but is available only to participants of the *Windows Insider* and *Xbox Insider* programs.

- Issues and Improvements

- At first launch, users noted low convenience and a lack of full gaming experience.
- Microsoft is actively updating software for portable consoles Xbox Ally and Ally X, making them smoother and more reliable.

- New Tools for Developers

- At the GDC 2026 conference, the company announced opening access to the *Advanced Shared Delivery* system in the Xbox Store.
- This will speed up game loading: pre‑compiled shaders will be delivered directly to user devices.

- Plans for Classic Games

- In celebration of Microsoft’s 25th anniversary, the company plans to bring “classic” Xbox games to PC.
- The company said that new ways to play iconic past editions will appear by the end of this year.

Thus, Microsoft does not wait for a new console release to bring PC gamers into Xbox. Immediately after launching *Xbox Full Screen Experience*, Windows 11 users can enjoy gaming features, and developers receive tools for faster content delivery. By 2027, a full‑featured Project Helix console is expected, compatible with PC games and expanding cross‑platform gaming possibilities.