Transforming Gaming: Windows 11 Set to Embrace Xbox Features on Handheld Devices!

Microsoft aims to enhance its Windows operating system on portable PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go by adapting the software to resemble that of an Xbox console.

At a CES 2025 panel, Microsoft’s vice president of Next Generation, Jason Ronald, stated that this transformation is scheduled for 2025. He mentioned to The Verge that the goal is to bring together “the finest of Xbox and Windows.” This announcement precedes Xbox’s launch of its dedicated handheld in the coming years.

During the event, Ronald commented, “We have been innovating in the console sector for quite some time and as we collaborate across the industry, it’s truly about: ‘How do we transfer those advancements that we have nurtured and crafted in the console realm to PC and the handheld gaming area?'”

He elaborated to The Verge, indicating that Microsoft has invested “the last two decades creating a top-tier operating system” that has been “restricted to the console.” Hence, the company is now figuring out how to translate that experience to Windows.

“We are committed to genuinely streamlining that and making it mimic a console experience,” Ronald stated. “Our aim is to position the player and their library at the core of the experience, rather than all the [Windows] tasks that are necessary today.”

While specific details remain uncertain, Ronald asserted that they will be unveiled in 2025. “I believe we will have much more to disclose later this year,” he remarked. “I envision this to be a process, and you will see numerous investments over time that you are already starting to notice, but we will share more later this year.”

The market for handheld gaming PCs has surged in recent years, possibly due to the remarkable success of the Nintendo Switch. Valve has led the way for PC developers with the Steam Deck, with companies like Asus and Lenovo quickly following suit.

Currently, the industry is eagerly awaiting Nintendo’s announcement of the successor to the Switch, with new leaks or rumors surfacing almost daily. A prototype even emerged at CES 2025, though the authenticity of it remains uncertain. Discover all other announcements from the tech convention here.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance journalist. He could discuss The Witcher endlessly.