controller support

Microsoft has quietly repurposed the Xbox button on gamepads when used with Windows 11 Insiders: a long press now opens Task View while a short press still launches the Game Bar, and a press-and-hold continues to power down the controller — a small but practical tweak rolling out to Dev and Beta...

For years, the dream of a true “Windows gaming handheld” has remained tantalizingly out of reach for many enthusiasts—haunted by clunky interfaces, touch-unfriendly controls, and a software landscape built almost exclusively for big-screen desktop monitors. Yet, recent revelations suggest a...

Microsoft's exploration into the handheld gaming market has been a topic of considerable interest and speculation. Recent developments suggest that while the company has been actively prototyping handheld Xbox devices, a consumer-ready product remains several years away. In a November 2024...

Immersing oneself in a game is one of the primary draws of PC gaming, and nothing shatters that experience quite like having to alt-tab out of a tense boss fight or heated multiplayer match to Google a guide or check Discord. This longstanding frustration is what Microsoft sets out to solve with...

Competition in the handheld gaming PC arena has reached an inflection point, and Microsoft’s latest strategic pivot is an unmistakable signal to industry observers and gamers alike. Reports indicate that Microsoft has shelved its dedicated Xbox handheld project—at least for now—not because the...

The highly anticipated emergence of a dedicated Xbox handheld has hit a notable road bump as Microsoft recalibrates its priorities in the face of increasing competition and transformative shifts in the portable gaming landscape. According to multiple independent sources and recent industry...

Gamers who have spent years toggling back and forth between their favorite titles and a web browser will instantly appreciate one of Windows 11’s latest quality-of-life improvements: Microsoft’s Edge Game Assist, the in-game browser finally available to everyone through the Windows Game Bar. The...

For years, PC gamers and casual players alike have lamented input lag when trying to enjoy web-based games using a GamePad. The experience, while functional, has been notably less responsive than using a keyboard or mouse, detracting from the seamless gameplay many expect. Now, Microsoft is...

Handheld gaming PCs have seen a renaissance in recent years, with devices like the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally capturing the imagination of gamers craving portability without sacrificing power. Yet, as this new form factor matures, an uncomfortable truth is emerging: Microsoft’s Windows...

Continuing what we started during the “App Dev on Xbox” event, today we are making available yet another app experience – Atmosphere. In this blog post, you will learn how to get started building great 2D and 3D experiences with Unity and XAML, how to open up your app so other app developers can...

In Windows 10, we’re bringing Xbox Live and some of the most popular Xbox experiences to the PC. In preparation for the launch of Windows 10 on July 29th, game streaming from an Xbox One to a Windows 10 PC or tablet is now out of preview and available to everyone. If you’re a Windows Insider...