Microsoft Revolutionizes Windows 11 with Handheld-Focused Overhaul to Outshine SteamOS

Windows 11 Gaming on Handhelds: A Console-Like Experience to Rival SteamOS

The Windows 11 gaming experience on handheld PCs is about to get a major upgrade, with Microsoft taking cues from Xbox and simplifying controls. This change is long overdue, as Windows 11 currently feels clunky and complex on compact handheld devices without keyboards. It’s time to bring the Xbox experience to Windows PCs, combining the two systems to elevate the handheld gaming experience.

Microsoft’s Jason Ronald, VP of "Next Generation," hinted during a roundtable discussion at the "The Future of Gaming Handhelds" event that the company is actively working on this. The goal is to integrate the user-friendly, console-like features of Xbox, such as quick access to games and simple navigation, into Windows for handhelds. This would make it easier to use Windows gaming handheld devices without fiddling with complicated settings or desktop-style menus.

The idea is to make handheld Windows gaming as seamless and enjoyable as playing on an Xbox, while still allowing users to tap into the flexibility of Windows when needed. According to Ronald, this won’t be a new Xbox operating system for PCs but rather an improvement to Windows 11 itself, making it feel more like an Xbox when gaming.

While speaking with The Verge, Ronald elaborated that this will go beyond the current compact modes for Xbox apps in Windows 11, becoming a simplified experience similar to what you’d use on a games console. This includes tackling aspects like making Windows 11 work better with gaming controllers and designing Windows 11 to make better use of handheld gaming hardware.

Could a Game-Changing Update Take on SteamOS?

SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system, is a clear rival to Windows 11. SteamOS is specifically designed to run games, has an easy-to-use dedicated user interface, and lacks the baggage and bloat of Windows 11. Microsoft’s upcoming update could potentially challenge SteamOS and offer a more user-friendly gaming experience on handheld PCs.

The roundtable discussion didn’t clarify if this will mean a special version of Windows for gaming handhelds or if Windows 11 will have additions made to it for better gaming. Ronald emphasized that his team is working on "fundamental interaction models" that work regardless of the operating system used by a device, ensuring a solid gaming experience.

It appears that Ronald and his team have more in store than just layering software on top of Windows 11 for gaming handhelds. We’ll have to wait and see how this new system looks, performs, and feels, but it sounds promising, especially as handheld gaming PC devices are becoming increasingly popular.

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