Microsoft says it will improve handhelds with Xbox experiences

Microsoft says it’s going to be bringing Xbox experiences to PC gaming handhelds, a move that should drastically improve the user experience on these machines. Ever since the first Windows 11 handhelds were released, there’s been one common complaint from users. Windows 11 does not really work well for the handheld environment.

While people’s opinions on this will vary, it seems like an overwhelming majority of users don’t like the experience as much. On the flip side, Valve’s SteamOS is well-loved and that’s because it looks and runs nearly flawlessly on the Steam Deck. It was purpose-built for the Steam Deck. That has led to a very user-friendly and convenient user experience cycling through the menus and lists of games.

Windows 11 on the other hand, admittedly feels a bit clunky. Part of that is due to the fact that Windows 11 was really designed for desktops and laptops. Both of which are devices that are controlled with a keyboard and mouse. Companies like ASUS have done what they can so far to improve this. Despite these attempts, the user experience still needs work. Microsoft is finally stepping in with a plan. And it’s a plan that would appear to be coming sooner rather than later.

Microsoft wants to improve handhelds by combining Xbox experiences with Windows 11

Microsoft doesn’t really give specifics but it does talk about its plans a bit. Speaking to The Verge at CES during AMD and Lenovo’s ‘Future of Handhelds’ event, Microsoft VP of Generation Jason Ronald says the company’s plan is to bring the best of Xbox and Windows together. He continues by saying “We’re focused on really simplifying that and making it much more like a console experience. Our goal is to put the player and their library at the center of the experience and not all the [Windows] work that you have to do today.”

Ronald doesn’t elaborate further but he does say that the plan is to introduce these changes sooner than people think.

We could (or should) see these changes this year

Based on Ronald’s conversation with The Verge the idea is to get these changes out the door as soon as possible. Ronald wouldn’t say exactly how Microsoft plans to improve the experience with Windows 11 on handhelds. However, he did say that the company will probably have more to share later this year. Implying that whatever these improvements will be, they’ll be pushed out to users sometime in 2025.

All of that said, Ronald acknowledges that parts of Windows just weren’t designed for controller navigation. Stating joysticks weren’t really kept in mind when designing the Windows navigation elements. Here’s hoping that Microsoft’s plans include making the UI more explorable with a controller. As that would be a good place to start.