Windows handhelds Archives

Winsage

March 21, 2026

Microsoft Lays Out Next Windows Updates: Faster, Lighter and More Flexible

Microsoft announced a series of enhancements for Windows, including less intrusive Windows Update operations, improved Copilot integration, a streamlined start menu and taskbar, reduced notifications, a smaller memory footprint, and enhanced stability. The integration of Copilot will focus on creating useful experiences, while widgets will provide glanceable information with fewer interruptions. A significant performance update will reduce memory usage, allowing users to free up resources for applications. Users will also be able to pause updates for longer periods and restart or shut down devices without forced installations. New users will have the option to skip updates during initial setup, improving the out-of-the-box experience, especially for handheld gaming devices. Additionally, there will be support for controller-based navigation during setup. Microsoft aims for faster, more consistent performance, with improvements in File Explorer, Bluetooth, USB connections, and overall system stability.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

Microsoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PC

Microsoft is merging Xbox and Windows, with the next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, set to support PC games, and its alpha phase starting in 2027. A new “Xbox mode” for all Windows 11 devices will launch in April. The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was previously available in preview since November 2025 for Windows Insider and Xbox Insider Program members. The Xbox Ally handhelds have received updates for improved reliability. At the 2026 Game Developers Conference, Microsoft announced Advanced Shader Delivery for developers to enhance game load times and hinted at reviving classic Xbox titles for PC. Additionally, advancements in DirectX and DirectStorage were discussed, along with updates on graphics debugging.

Winsage

March 6, 2026

A buggy Windows 11 update locked my Xbox Ally X for 12 hours

The author experienced frustration with the Xbox Ally X handheld, which, despite its impressive hardware, feels unfinished and struggles due to limitations of Windows 11. An update intended for the device led to a critical failure, displaying a message that the device couldn't be repaired, potentially due to corrupted boot files from the update. This incident raises concerns about the reliability of future Xbox devices built on PC architecture, especially if simple updates can result in system failures.

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?

The handheld PC market is currently divided between powerful Windows devices, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and Steam OS-powered devices that focus on gaming immersion. Steam OS allows users to access their game libraries immediately upon booting, providing a distraction-free experience. In performance comparisons, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S show a 69% speed increase on SteamOS (39 fps) compared to Windows (23 fps), while the ROG Ally X can see a 32% performance boost with SteamOS. Battery life differs significantly, with the Steam Deck offering 3 to 6 hours of gameplay versus the ROG Ally X's 2 to 4 hours, despite the latter having a larger battery. Windows handhelds provide compatibility with various gaming platforms but suffer from inefficiencies due to background processes that consume CPU resources. Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience attempts to improve usability but does not resolve the underlying issues. Windows handhelds typically have 8GB or 16GB of VRAM, which may be insufficient for future games, while SteamOS's lighter footprint allows for better VRAM allocation, enhancing performance. SteamOS is gaining traction not necessarily due to technical superiority but because of its efficiency in addressing the unique constraints of handheld gaming.

Winsage

January 2, 2026

Windows 11 surges among PC gamers on Steam as Linux stalls — the open-source OS mildly loses momentum after a brief uptick

In December 2025, Linux's install base on Steam saw a slight decline of 0.01%, following a modest increase of 0.15% in November. In contrast, Windows 11 experienced a significant growth of 5.24%, attributed to the impending end-of-life for Windows 10 and new users migrating from devices like the Xbox Ally. All versions of Windows collectively accounted for 94.95% of Steam users in December, up from 94.79% in November, while Linux's share decreased from 3.20% to 3.19%. Fedora gained 0.05% in user numbers. Systems with 32GB of RAM increased by 2.11%, while those with 16GB declined by 0.80%. The NVIDIA RTX 3060 became the most widely used GPU on Steam, surpassing the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. Meta's Quest 3 saw a user share increase of 24.42%, now 2% ahead of the Quest 2.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors for Windows Insiders

Windows Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 is now available for the Dev and Beta Channels, expanding the Xbox full screen experience to laptops, desktops, and tablets. This feature provides an immersive gaming environment designed for console-style navigation. Users can access it via the Task View icon or by pressing Win + Tab, and it can be toggled on and off with Win + F11. The Xbox home screen will display a variety of games, and switching between applications is facilitated by a long press on the Xbox button. The rollout of this feature is phased, and it requires the Xbox app from the Microsoft Store. Feedback can be submitted through the Feedback Hub under Gaming and Xbox > Gaming Full Screen Experience.