Windows 11 users who were eagerly anticipating the introduction of a new gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard will find themselves in a state of disappointment. This feature, designed to enhance typing convenience using an Xbox controller on a PC, has been temporarily shelved. This news likely resonates with many handheld device owners who were excited about the functionality that had been in testing since early September 2024, and was expected to roll out with the latest Windows 11 update for 24H2 at the end of October.
According to Neowin, Microsoft has officially announced the pause in rollout through a recent Beta channel preview build. The company stated: “We have temporarily disabled the new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard in Windows 11 that began rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel with Build 22635.4145 to address some issues. This feature will roll out again in a future flight.”
Analysis: Patience is a virtual keyboard
Initially, the gamepad keyboard was expected to be fully available following the November patch for Windows 11 24H2. However, Microsoft seems to have decided to revisit the feature, indicating that there are unresolved issues, although specifics have not been disclosed. This decision suggests that users may face a longer wait before the feature becomes accessible outside of testing environments.
As Microsoft continues to address various bugs associated with Windows 11 24H2, this latest development adds to the list of challenges the company is currently navigating. Users will need to exercise patience as they await the eventual rollout of this feature, and we will be monitoring the testing channels for updates regarding the return of the controller keyboard layout in future Windows 11 preview builds.
The gamepad on-screen keyboard promises to facilitate swift typing with the controller, incorporating shortcuts that allow users to leverage buttons for functions such as backspace and spacebar—referred to by Microsoft as ‘button accelerators.’ This optimized layout is designed to enhance the typing experience for those who frequently use their controllers for gaming on PCs, as well as for owners of Windows 11-powered handheld devices like the Asus ROG Ally X.
