As the anticipation builds for the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X in October, the Windows team at Microsoft has rolled out the “25H2” update for Windows 11 Insider Program users. This update has brought an unexpected delight for gamers: Xbox’s ‘Handheld Mode’ is now available for installation on any current Windows handheld device.
The Xbox ‘Full Screen Experience’
Upon discovering the news circulating on forums and Reddit, I was eager to dive in, guided by the expertise of K.Asante from XboxEra, a well-known figure in handheld tech. Interestingly, the handheld build had been lurking in previous Insider updates, including 24H2, but the installation process was notably more complex back then. Now, the steps are straightforward: join the ‘Release Preview’ ring of the Windows Insider program, update your Windows 11 installation on the ROG Ally X to the latest 25H2 build, and with a little help from a third-party program and some registry tweaks, the Xbox Full Screen Experience is ready for action.
This new interface is a significant upgrade from the standard setup that originally accompanied the ROG Ally. Instead of the usual Windows 11 login, the system is streamlined, disabling several background processes and freeing up around 2GB of memory for gaming.
My ROG Ally X now boots directly into the Xbox Full Screen Experience, aggregating all my games, including those from Steam and other PC game launchers. While it closely resembles what will be available on the new ROG Xbox Ally devices, it does lack some essential features. Notably, the current ROG Ally does not include an Xbox Nexus button, which means accessing the Game Bar requires either swiping in from the left or reassigning a button through ASUS’ Armory Crate software. Unfortunately, this software is not yet integrated into the current setup, so switching performance profiles remains unchanged.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the enhancement for gaming on Windows handhelds is substantial. The task switcher, accessible by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, proves invaluable, allowing users to close unnecessary games or applications with a simple press of the X button. Streaming games like Borderlands 4 from my PC is seamless, and I can easily play locally installed Steam titles. Additionally, native Xbox PC games with Play Anywhere support sync my saves automatically.
Can I set it up?
For those eager to experience this feature, the setup process is relatively straightforward, though it does involve some registry editing and potentially the installation of third-party applications. Caution is advised, as improper modifications could lead to an unstable Windows installation or, in the worst-case scenario, necessitate a complete wipe and reinstallation of Windows 11. For those undeterred, detailed guides are available on Reddit.
More on the ROG Xbox Ally:
The XboxEra team had the opportunity to test the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X at Gamescom earlier this year. If you’re curious whether this partnered device is worth your attention, be sure to check out our comprehensive ROG Xbox Ally Hands-on Preview.
We look forward to providing in-depth reviews of the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X as their launch date approaches, with both devices set to release worldwide on October 16th.
