Microsoft is unveiling an innovative gamepad keyboard designed specifically for Windows 11, enabling users to type effortlessly using an Xbox controller. This development is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing the handheld experience of Windows, making it more accessible for gaming enthusiasts.
The new gamepad keyboard significantly improves the existing on-screen keyboard functionality, allowing for seamless navigation and text entry throughout the operating system. With thoughtfully integrated shortcuts tailored for Xbox controllers, users can utilize the X button for backspace, the Y button for the spacebar, and the menu button to execute the enter command. These shortcuts mirror those found in the Xbox dashboard, ensuring a familiar experience for gamers.
This enhancement is just one facet of Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to merging the strengths of Windows and Xbox, while also addressing fundamental user needs such as controller navigation. In addition to the gamepad keyboard, Microsoft has revamped the Game Bar in Windows, introducing a compact mode that caters to smaller screens, further optimizing the handheld gaming experience.
Last year, the main Xbox app for PC also received updates to improve controller navigation, reinforcing Microsoft’s dedication to creating a cohesive ecosystem for gamers. The gamepad keyboard initially entered beta testing in September and is now available in the Release Preview version of Windows 11. This means it will soon be accessible to all Windows 11 users, with those opting for the latest non-security updates set to receive it in the coming days.
