Xbox Mode on Windows Handhelds: Console‑First UX Arrives with ROG Ally

Microsoft’s handheld push has taken a new turn: the Xbox-style, full‑screen “Xbox Mode” that will ship as the default experience on the ROG Xbox Ally family is already appearing on other Windows 11 handhelds — in community builds and hacks — ahead of the Ally’s retail launch, forcing a rapid reappraisal of how Windows can behave as a console-first platform. (news.xbox.com)

Background​

Windows has long tried to be everything to everyone: desktop productivity, creative workstations, and a capable gaming platform. That flexibility comes at a cost on small, thermally constrained handhelds where background services, the full Explorer shell, and legacy UI elements can bleed away battery and performance. Over the past year Microsoft has been quietly rebuilding the Xbox PC app, Game Bar, and system hooks to present a controller‑first, console‑like surface that can become the default boot experience on Windows handhelds. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are the first mainstream devices shipping with that layer preinstalled, and Microsoft is pairing the hardware move with a Handheld Compatibility Program to help games work well on pocketable Windows devices. (press.asus.com)
The formal launch calendar is concrete: ASUS and Xbox say the ROG Xbox Ally family will arrive in stores on October 16, 2025, and will ship with Windows 11 Home together with the Xbox full‑screen experience active out of the box. The partner materials emphasize reduced background activity, a controller‑forward Game Bar mapped to a dedicated Xbox button, and a library aggregator that lists Game Pass and installed PC storefront titles in one place. (news.xbox.com)

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What “Xbox Mode” actually is​

A full‑screen Xbox app that becomes a shell​

The “Xbox Mode” observed on Ally hardware is not a new kernel or a fork of Windows — it is a controller-first, full‑screen shell built on the Xbox PC app and Game Bar, plus a set of system‑level optimizations that change what Windows loads at boot. In practice that means the device can boot directly into a tiled, console‑style home screen with large, game‑first tiles and a minimized desktop presence. It looks and behaves like a console UI while leaving Windows itself intact underneath. (xbox.com)

Resource trimming vs. magic​

The key performance claims are pragmatic rather than miraculous. Microsoft’s handheld UI avoids loading Explorer‑centric ornamentation (desktop wallpaper, certain Start/Taskbar subsystems) and defers or disables many startup apps and background services when the device boots into Xbox Mode. Those changes, combined with a controller‑friendly input stack and Game Bar overlays for quick task switching, are intended to free memory and lower idle power for better battery life and sustained frame rates. Early figures used by Microsoft and OEMs suggest up to roughly 2 GB of RAM can be reclaimed and idle power consumption can fall markedly on some hardware, but the gains depend heavily on what would have otherwise been running on a given machine. Treat the “up to 2 GB” figure as an estimate, not a guarantee. (windowscentral.com)

UX improvements for controllers​

Beyond performance, Xbox Mode adds practical controller‑first features that matter on a handheld: an on‑screen controller keyboard, controller‑driven login and PIN entry, a redesigned task switcher invoked by the Xbox button, and Game Bar widgets optimized for small screens. These are the elements that make Windows usable without a keyboard and mouse and are core to the console‑like illusion. (windowscentral.com)

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ROG Xbox Ally: hardware and program context​

The devices (official specs)​

ASUS’ ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X sit on opposite ends of a single product strategy: a more efficient, mainstream model and a high‑performance flagship. The Ally uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16 GB LPDDR5X memory, a 512 GB M.2 SSD and a 60 Wh battery; the Ally X pairs a new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU with 24 GB LPDDR5X, a 1 TB SSD and an 80 Wh battery plus an integrated NPU. Both use a 7‑inch 1080p, 120 Hz IPS display with VRR. ASUS and Xbox position these as Windows handhelds that will boot directly into the Xbox full‑screen home unless the user elects otherwise. (press.asus.com)

Handheld Compatibility Program​

Microsoft’s Handheld Compatibility Program will tag titles in the Xbox app as “Handheld Optimized” or “Mostly Compatible” and will expose a Windows Performance Fit indicator telling players whether a game should “play great,” “should play well,” or may need adjustments. The program includes testing and developer guidance to ensure text legibility, controller default mappings, iconography, and resolution/scaling are appropriate for small screens. It’s a necessary recognition that many PC titles are designed around keyboard and high resolutions, so metadata and developer support will be critical to the handheld experience. (news.xbox.com)

AI and shader improvements​

The Ally X’s NPU enables upcoming features such as Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) and an “advanced shader delivery” pipeline that can preload or stream shaders during downloads to reduce first‑run hitching and speed game launches. These are platform features that will depend on developer adoption and backend support. (news.xbox.com)

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“Xbox Mode” is already being unlocked on other handhelds — what that means​

Community ports and early experiments​

Enthusiast outlets and hack reports have shown that the new Xbox full‑screen mode can be coaxed into running on non‑Ally Windows handhelds, including prior ROG Ally hardware, through community work — typically by enabling hidden settings discovered in Insider builds or by using configuration/registry tweaks and modified boot behavior. Windows Central and independent testers documented experiments where the Xbox UI is run in full‑screen on older handhelds, and users saw the expected controller‑first input and some of the startup optimizations. (windowscentral.com)

Why this is unsurprising — Windows is open​

Microsoft and OEMs intentionally designed Xbox Mode as a layer on top of Windows 11, not as a separate locked OS. That decision makes it far more likely that the mode’s components can be installed or enabled on other Windows machines. The upside: broader availability, faster feedback, and community testing. The downside: fragmentation, inconsistent behavior across hardware, and the risk of unofficial procedures creating unstable or insecure configurations. (windowsforum.com)

What’s verified and what’s still murky​

• Verified: the Xbox full‑screen launcher and Game Bar improvements are real and shipping on Ally devices; Microsoft and ASUS documented the launch date and program. (news.xbox.com)
• Verified: community testers have shown the UI running on older devices and demonstrated some performance gains when startup apps are suppressed. (windowscentral.com)
• Unverified / cautionary: any single‑click “unlock” that guarantees Ally‑level power savings on third‑party hardware is improbable — memory and power wins depend on background workloads, drivers, and thermal headroom. Claims that the mode magically makes any handheld match Ally performance should be treated skeptically.

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Technical deep dive: what the optimizations actually do​

Processes and services: the low hanging fruit​

The most consistent improvements come from simply not loading the usual complement of startup apps and some background services at boot. On a typical Windows install that can include sync clients, cloud agents, game launchers, and telemetry services. By disabling those in Xbox Mode, the system reduces idle memory use and background CPU activity. Early hands‑on testing confirms this is one of the principal mechanisms behind the advertised RAM and battery gains. (windowscentral.com)

Explorer and shell trimming​

Xbox Mode defers or avoids loading certain Explorer and shell components (taskbar extras, desktop compositor elements, and some shell extensions). Because those parts of Windows are optimized for a multi‑app, desktop experience — with search indexers, live tiles and notifications — skipping them in a single‑purpose gaming posture is a rational choice for conserving RAM and battery. This is the design decision that allows Microsoft to simulate a console environment atop a full Windows installation. (windowsforum.com)

Shader preloading and NPU features​

Advanced shader delivery is an Xbox‑level optimization that can reduce CPU/GPU stalls on first launch and cut battery‑costly recompiles. Meanwhile, the Ally X’s NPU will be leveraged for upscaling (Auto SR) and other AI-accelerated graphics enhancements, but those advantages are hardware specific and will not help devices without similar silicon. Developer integration matters here — neither the NPU nor shader streams are automatic across the ecosystem. (press.asus.com)

Game Bar and controller input stack​

A controller‑forward Game Bar overlay — plus controller-aware login and on‑screen text input — makes the experience usable without a keyboard. Microsoft has also tested long‑press behaviors for the Xbox button that map to a handheld task switcher; recent Insider builds show the company is experimenting with controller‑only workflows for broader rollout. (theverge.com)

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The ecosystem and developer implications​

Why developers should care​

Handhelds create distinct UX and performance constraints: font legibility at small sizes, default controller mappings, text input for chat and sign‑in, and consistent frame‑time behavior for sustained sessions. The Handheld Compatibility Program gives developers clear signals and concrete targets so their titles work well on small screens without per‑user tinkering. This reduces friction for players and shortens support tickets for developers. (news.xbox.com)

Storefront and discovery​

The unified Xbox library that aggregates Steam, Epic, GOG and other installed stores in the Xbox app is meaningful: it makes Game Pass and installed PC titles discoverable from the same launcher, which could shift user behaviour on handhelds away from multiple launchers. That consolidation increases Xbox app relevance on Windows handhelds and makes the platform experience more consistent for non‑Steam players. (xbox.com)

Potential win for cloud and streaming​

Handhelds are a natural fit for cloud gaming and Remote Play. Xbox Mode’s quick access to cloud titles and a unified library could accelerate cloud adoption, but that depends on network availability and pricing in each market. Local performance optimizations help for native titles, while cloud reduces the need for high‑end silicon in some scenarios. The two approaches are complementary. (news.xbox.com)

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Risks, limits, and unanswered questions​

Fragmentation and support complexity​

Microsoft’s decision to layer Xbox Mode on top of Windows means the experience will vary widely by OEM, driver maturity, and the particular combination of installed apps. If end users enable Xbox Mode on unsupported hardware via community methods, they may hit driver bugs, stability issues, or incompatibilities that are hard to troubleshoot. Expect OEMs and Microsoft to limit official support to certified hardware first, then widen availability after compatibility testing. (windowsforum.com)

Security and privacy implications​

Any unofficial unlocking method that modifies system settings, registry entries, or boot behavior introduces risk. Community experiments can be valuable for testing, but they can also alter telemetry, update behavior, or third‑party DRM. Users who try unsupported hacks should understand the potential for breakage and the difficulty of rollback if a modification affects system recovery or Windows Update.

Marketing vs. reality​

Memory and power savings are conditional. If a handheld is already heavily trimmed and curated by the user, the incremental benefit from Xbox Mode will be small. Some press coverage has quoted optimistic battery and RAM figures; those should be understood as best‑case scenarios observed on specific devices and under specific workloads. Expect real‑world results to vary. (windowscentral.com)

Update policy and longevity​

How Microsoft will roll Xbox Mode out across the broader Windows handheld ecosystem — and whether features will be gated to certain devices for time‑limited exclusivity — remains a potential flashpoint. Delayed rollouts or OEM‑specific features could create fragmentation among handheld owners and complicate developer testing. Microsoft’s messaging suggests a staged expansion to other devices after Ally’s launch, but exact timelines are fluid. (en.wikipedia.org)

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Practical guidance for enthusiasts and buyers​

• If you plan to buy a handheld and want the out‑of‑box Xbox Mode experience, wait for the official Ally hardware or a certified OEM device — that guarantees tested drivers, official support, and the full suite of optimizations. (press.asus.com)
• If you already own a Windows handheld and enjoy tinkering, community ports offer a preview of Xbox Mode. Use caution: avoid making unsupported changes on mission‑critical machines, and document any changes you apply to allow rollback.
• Developers should test at multiple performance tiers and validate UI at small sizes; take the Handheld Compatibility badges seriously and use the supplied developer resources to ensure your title appears as expected. (developer.microsoft.com)
• Expect variability: battery life, thermal headroom and driver maturity will determine whether Xbox Mode materially improves your experience or simply makes the UI more convenient. (windowscentral.com)

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What to watch next​

• Official rollout cadence: Microsoft’s public roadmap for bringing Xbox Mode to non‑Ally Windows handhelds, and whether any features remain Ally‑exclusive for a time. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Developer uptake: how many studios submit titles to the Handheld Compatibility Program and whether shader delivery and Auto SR see rapid adoption. (news.xbox.com)
• Community feedback: stability and performance reports from users trying the mode on older hardware, which will reveal how robust the optimizations are outside of certified devices.

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Conclusion​

Microsoft’s Xbox Mode represents a pragmatic, Windows‑centric answer to the handheld gaming era: not a separate console OS, but a lean, controller‑first layer that makes Windows behave more like a handheld console when it needs to. The ROG Xbox Ally family will be the first phones—or rather, handhelds—to ship with that mode preinstalled on October 16, 2025, backed by a compatibility program and hardware features designed around the new UX. (news.xbox.com)
The fact that community testers have already unlocked or ported the mode to other handhelds is an inevitable consequence of building on Windows, and it accelerates discovery of both benefits and pitfalls. The real test will be how well Microsoft, ASUS, and developers work together to make handheld‑targeted titles and platform services deliver consistent, reliable experiences across varied hardware. For consumers, the headline is promising: a console‑like handheld experience on Windows is here in spirit, but the full, predictable reality will depend on certified hardware, driver maturity, and responsible rollout by platform and OEM partners. (windowscentral.com)

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Source: VideoCardz.com Xbox Mode unlocked on Windows 11 handhelds ahead of ROG Xbox Ally launch - VideoCardz.com

 

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Microsoft’s new handheld-focused Xbox Mode — the full-screen, controller-first Xbox experience layered on Windows 11 — is already being run on a wide range of in-market Windows handhelds, and community ports plus an Insider-channel push mean owners of existing devices can try the experience now rather than wait for the new ROG Xbox Ally family to arrive in stores. (news.xbox.com)

Background / Overview​

Microsoft and ASUS unveiled a coordinated push this year to make Windows handhelds behave more like consoles while retaining the openness of the PC ecosystem. That strategy centers on three linked pieces: a new Xbox full‑screen experience (commonly called Xbox Mode or Handheld Mode), tighter Game Bar and controller integration, and a Handheld Compatibility Program to classify and optimize games for small screens and controller-first play. The new ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are the first devices to ship with that experience preinstalled and are scheduled to reach retail on October 16, 2025. (news.xbox.com)
At its core, Xbox Mode is not a fork of Windows. It’s a full‑screen shell—implemented through the Xbox PC app, Game Bar improvements, and a set of system hooks—that can be presented as the primary user interface when Windows detects a controller‑first or handheld posture. The shell hides many desktop decorations and defers or suspends a number of Explorer‑centric services to conserve RAM and battery, while still leaving Windows intact underneath for full access to Steam, Epic, Battle.net, and other storefronts. (xbox.com)

What the recent headlines mean: “Any Windows handheld can be an Ally”​

Two developments drove the recent wave of headlines and forum activity: first, Microsoft’s Insider builds for Windows 11 (notably the 25H2 channel) exposed the compact/handheld view and updated Xbox components; second, enthusiasts and modders discovered ways to enable that full‑screen Xbox shell on existing handhelds by toggling the new flags and applying configuration tweaks. The result is an ability to run a near‑console UX on many current Windows handhelds — with important caveats. (techeblog.com)
Key claims that shaped the coverage:

• The Xbox app now aggregates and launches games across storefronts, making the full‑screen launcher a real single hub for handheld gaming. (windowscentral.com)
• Resource trimming in Xbox Mode can reclaim roughly up to 2 GB of memory on some devices by avoiding loading the full Explorer shell and suppressing background startup apps; that figure is an estimate from early briefings and hands‑on tests. (windowscentral.com)
• Enthusiasts can enable the experience today by running Windows Insider or Release Preview builds and applying configuration/registry changes, but those methods carry risk and bypass OEM-validated images and integrations. (techeblog.com)

How Xbox Mode works — the technical view​

The shell, the Game Bar, and the Xbox PC app​

Xbox Mode is a layered design: the Xbox PC app functions as the full‑screen launcher and library, while Game Bar becomes a richer overlay with performance controls, widgets, and a controller-driven quick switcher. A physical Xbox button (on Ally hardware) is mapped to open Game Bar or act as a task switcher, and Windows’ input stack is updated to support controller-first login flows and on‑screen controller keyboards. The UX is intentionally console‑like: big tiles, artwork‑forward presentation, and thumb-friendly navigation. (news.xbox.com)

Resource trimming and the “runtime budget”​

Rather than introducing new kernel primitives, Microsoft reduces desktop overhead by deferring or avoiding Explorer and certain startup/background services when the system is presented in the Xbox full‑screen posture. Practical gains observed by reviewers and OEM briefings typically come from:

• Suppressing desktop wallpaper and shell ornaments.
• Disabling or deferring many startup apps and background processes.
• Leaner startup of the user session when the shell is engaged.

Those adjustments are presented as engineering tradeoffs rather than miracles: early tests on tuned hardware showed meaningful RAM savings (commonly cited as “up to ~2 GB”) and battery improvements in some scenarios, but actual results vary with installed software, drivers, and OEM power profiles. (windowscentral.com)

The “switch penalty”​

A recurring limitation in hands‑on reports: once a user launches the full desktop (for installs, configuration or accessing third‑party launchers), returning to the trimmed Xbox Mode does not always immediately restore the memory and background‑process savings. In many early builds, a full reboot is required to reclaim the trimmed state. That “restart tax” is a friction point for portable use and is explicitly flagged as an area Microsoft intends to refine.

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What community ports deliver — and what they don’t​

What modders are doing​

Because Xbox Mode is implemented as a layer on Windows rather than a forked OS, community developers have been able to:

• Enable hidden and gated components exposed in Insider builds.
• Configure the Xbox app as the default shell at boot via registry or script changes.
• Bundle the necessary Game Bar and compact Xbox app bits into installable packages so non‑Ally devices show the same full‑screen surface.

Those efforts prove the model’s portability and let users try the UI on older ROG Ally models, Lenovo Legion Go units, AYANEO machines, and other Windows handhelds. But community ports often lack OEM integrations (battery profiles, Armory Crate-like management, dedicated Xbox button firmware hooks) and consequently give a partial — not identical — experience to retail Ally hardware.

Missing integrations that matter​

• Hardware button mapping: Many in-market handhelds do not include a hardware Xbox Nexus button, so users must swipe, reassign buttons, or rely on touch to open the Game Bar, which reduces the immediacy of the handheld UX that Ally intends.
• OEM power/thermal profiles: ASUS’ Armory Crate and similar vendor tools will integrate battery, thermal and performance profiles on Ally hardware; community ports typically can’t recreate those deeper firmware ties. (press.asus.com)
• Advanced features (Auto SR, shader preloading): Some features — notably NPU‑accelerated Automatic Super Resolution and advanced shader delivery on the Ally X — depend on specific hardware and platform support. Those will not be available in full on older devices that lack the requisite silicon or OEM backends. (press.asus.com)

Practical performance: where the wins actually come from​

Hands‑on reviews and community tests consistently show the largest, most repeatable gains are not from a single magical optimization but from eliminating startup apps and heavyweight background services. In plain terms:

• Disabling autostarting apps (Discord, updaters, overlay services) produces immediate gains whether or not Xbox Mode is used.
• Xbox Mode’s shell-level trimming bundles that cleanup with controller-first UX for convenience, making it easier to achieve a console‑like runtime without manual housekeeping.

Measured outcomes vary: some reviewers saw roughly an extra hour of battery life and more stable frame rates under sustained loads on tuned devices, while other setups observed modest or negligible differences once a user had manually optimized startup apps on the desktop. Treat the frequently quoted “up to 2 GB” RAM claim as an engineering estimate, not a guaranteed uplift. (windowscentral.com)

Compatibility: which handhelds can realistically run Xbox Mode?​

• Best candidates: In-market Windows handhelds that already have mature Windows drivers and OEM support (ROG Ally families, Lenovo Legion Go, AYANEO models, OneXPlayer variants). These devices have the firmware and driver maturity that make the shell behave sensibly. (gematsu.com)
• Possible but fiddly: Steam Deck users who installed Windows 11 can experiment, but mapping, drivers, and ergonomics may complicate matters relative to SteamOS.
• Unlikely without major tinkering: Very old or heavily customized Windows images, or handhelds with missing driver support for gamepad hardware detection, will struggle to present a clean controller‑first experience.

Risks, tradeoffs, and cautions​

Stability and system health​

Enabling Insider builds or applying registry-level tweaks to force a new shell exposes users to instability. Preview builds can change rapidly, and mismatched drivers or OEM utilities may cause regressions in controller recognition, thermal and battery behavior, or even break boot flows in extreme cases. The community‑enabled methods often bypass OEM validation and can lead to a need for system recovery.

Warranty, support, and updates​

Modifying system components or forcing preview releases can void support expectations from OEMs and may make returns or warranty claims more difficult to execute. Users should assume that manufacturer support channels will prefer validated, stock configurations.

Security and trust​

Community packages and registry scripts can be powerful but also risky. Installing third‑party packages or following unvetted guides exposes users to malware or misconfiguration. Always prefer official updates from Microsoft and OEMs where possible, and keep recovery media handy.

UX compromises​

Even when the shell is successfully ported, the experience is not identical to Ally hardware. Missing hardware buttons, absent OEM performance toggles, and partial feature gaps (Auto SR, advanced shader delivery) mean the ported UX is an approximation — a very useful one for testing and early access, but not a full replacement for a device designed and validated with the software. (press.asus.com)

What to do if you want to try Xbox Mode today (high‑level guidance)​

• Consider your device: Use a secondary or non‑primary handheld for experimentation; don’t risk your daily driver.
• Back up: Create a full system image or make a recovery USB before changing Windows channels or applying configuration scripts.
• Use official channels first: Check whether your OEM has published guidance or an official update; prefer Release Preview over Dev if you must use Insider builds.
• Avoid blind copy‑paste: Community guides often include registry edits; understand each step before applying it.
• Test, measure, revert: Record baseline memory use and battery under a controlled workload, then test in Xbox Mode to measure real gains. If you encounter issues, revert to your backup or reinstall a stable Windows image.

Strategic analysis — market implications and ecosystem impact​

Microsoft’s approach is strategically significant because it attempts to reconcile two competing priorities: preserve Windows’ openness (multiple storefronts, modding, install control) while delivering the low‑friction, controller‑first UX that handheld gamers expect from dedicated platforms. By layering Xbox Mode on Windows, Microsoft avoids fragmenting the OS while still offering a console-like flow for small‑screen devices. That is a pragmatic compromise that could accelerate the Windows handheld market if OEMs deliver polished, integrated images. (theverge.com)
This dynamic also fuels a competitive arms race with Valve’s SteamOS. Valve achieved coherence by shipping a Linux-derived stack designed for handhelds; Microsoft’s counter is to bring a familiar Xbox UX into Windows without darkening Windows’ open nature. For users, that choice becomes less ideological and more pragmatic: SteamOS still offers a lean, validated handheld environment, while Windows + Xbox Mode promises broader game compatibility and a familiar PC/console bridge. (theverge.com)

Strengths and potential upside​

• Openness preserved: Users retain access to Steam, Epic, GOG, and other PC ecosystems while gaining a console‑like launcher. (xbox.com)
• Meaningful UX improvements: Controller‑first login, on‑screen controller keyboard, and Game Bar refinements materially improve usability on small screens.
• Real engineering wins: The combined effects of startup-app suppression and shell trimming produce measurable RAM and battery improvements on many devices. Those gains matter most on thermally constrained handhelds. (windowscentral.com)

Weaknesses and long‑term risks​

• Fragmentation and inconsistency: Experiences will vary by OEM, driver maturity, and the degree of integration manufacturers provide. Early adopters will see uneven results.
• Temporary instability: Preview builds and community hacks increase the risk of regressions and the “restart tax” problem until Microsoft tightens the transitions between desktop and Xbox Mode.
• Partial feature parity: Hardware‑dependent features (NPU acceleration, advanced shader delivery, deep OEM battery profiles) won’t be available on older devices or community ports. (press.asus.com)

What to watch next​

• OEM update rollouts: Will ASUS, Lenovo, MSI and others publish validated images that bring Xbox Mode to in‑market hardware without registry tinkering? Microsoft signaled a phased expansion beyond the new Ally devices; the timeline and device list matter. (news.xbox.com)
• Software stability: Will the desktop-to-Xbox Mode switching behavior be improved so users don’t require reboots to regain trimmed resources? Fixing that friction is crucial to real-world handheld usability.
• Developer adoption: How many titles receive Handheld Optimized badges and support for features like advanced shader delivery and Auto SR? Developer participation will determine the actual catalog quality for handheld consumers. (news.xbox.com)

Conclusion​

The arrival of Xbox Mode as an installable, layered full‑screen experience on existing Windows handhelds is an important milestone. It turns a long‑standing complaint about Windows on small devices — the desktop‑first UI and background baggage — into a solvable engineering problem, and it does so while keeping Windows open and flexible for PC gamers. Enthusiasts can try the experience today through Insider builds and community ports, but the simplest, safest path to the full vision remains to buy hardware shipped and validated by OEMs that integrate the software and firmware end‑to‑end.
The short‑term landscape is exciting and messy: partial ports, preview bugs, and tradeoffs. The medium‑term story matters more: if Microsoft and partners deliver polished OEM images, broaden the Handheld Compatibility Program, and fix the desktop switching friction, Xbox Mode could make Windows handhelds genuinely competitive with SteamOS‑first devices — but until then, the best approach is cautious experimentation, careful backups, and patience for official updates. (news.xbox.com)

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Source: XboxEra Xbox's 'Handheld Mode' Available to install on any Current Windows Handheld
Source: TechEBlog - Xbox Mode is Set to Transform Your Handheld PC into a Gaming Powerhouse