Windows 11 had a difficult 2025 and it was Microsoft’s fault. The technology giant’s quality control was insufficient. AI functionality was eclipsed and basic design was overlooked. But hey, Microsoft is listening to the feedback, so it’s good now, right?
Microsoft has since committed to restoring fan-favorite features and delayed other features to ensure quality. The company also renamed the Xbox full-screen experience to “Xbox Mode,” signaling its commitment to making Windows 11 a valuable home for gaming, even for console gamers.
Xbox Mode is more than a rebrand, it’s part of a genuine effort to improve Windows 11 for gaming. Improvements to DirectStorage are on the way and Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) will be generally available to developers.
Microsoft has done it too easier to develop Xbox games.
It turns out that when the next-gen Xbox is essentially a PC, the operating system running on that PC is pretty important.
Every week in the Windows SettingI take a closer look at a trending topic in the world of Windows. Last week I discussed Microsoft left the door open for Apple to claim the budget PC crown.
The MacBook Neo is still trending, but I decided to focus on Xbox and Windows this week; Plus, Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden talked more about the MacBook Neo in this week’s report. Windows Central Podcastso there are a lot of chats between Mac and PC.
Windows Weekly Summary: The Big News
Windows 11 is more than games. It’s not that Microsoft is only interested in fixing problems with Windows 11 to improve Project Helix.
But gaming is one of the few areas where Windows can really shine. With the MacBook Neo devouring the budget computing category, smartphones and foldable devices cover an increasing number of daily tasks, and Linux distributions gain interest among casual usersGaming stands out as a place for Windows 11 to differentiate itself.
Windows wins for Project Helix are wins for gaming on the operating system as a whole. Our editor-in-chief Jez Corden shared that Xbox is a “big part” of the effort to fix Windows 11.
Last week, my colleague Zac Bowden reported that Microsoft is essentially creating a task force to fix Windows 11, after allowing its quality to decline in the name of AI. I have it on good authority that Xbox is a big part of that effort.
Jez Corden, Editor-in-Chief, Windows Central
Xbox Mode and the previous Xbox full-screen experience show promise for a Windows 11 console, but the operating system still has a ways to go. Corden argued that ““Microsoft needs to prove it can avoid Windows’ biggest problems.” when making the next Xbox.
“For Xbox users upgrading from their extremely polished Xbox Series“Yes, I’m worried that a Windows experience with Xbox will feel like an epic step backwards if Microsoft isn’t careful,” Corden said. And he’s right, of course.
Console games should be solid and reliable. Project Helix, or any console, would be dead on arrival if it were plagued by operating system updates that disrupted the experience. One of the main benefits of console games is that they do not require adjustments, technical knowledge, or tedious updates to fix problems.
To deliver that “solid” experience, Microsoft needs to solidify Windows 11 as a stable and reliable operating system. It’s a big task given the disaster that was 2025, but it’s not impossible.
Microsoft promised to make changes to Windows 11 this year and the first results are positive.
Would Microsoft have gone to all these efforts to improve Windows 11 if Project Helix was set to run something other than Windows 11? Maybe. But considering that Xbox is part of the push to fix Windows 11, I think there’s a good chance that the sorry state of Windows 11 has forced Microsoft to act.
Shopping with Sean
With the next-gen Xbox still in the distant future, it’s still worth upgrading from your current console. A couple of great accessories are on sale right now: the G7 SE wired controller for Xbox and Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne racing system.
You can also expand your gaming with a gaming handheld.
He ASUS ROG Xbox Ally It gives us a small idea of what the future of Xbox holds. It is true that he is less powerful than his brother, the Xbox X Allywhich means you will not receive some updates like Auto Super Resolution.
But ROG Ally runs the full-screen Xbox experience and will soon receive Xbox mode. It also has good grips, a large battery, and a 7-inch display with support for 120Hz and VRR. At the right price, the Xbox Ally is a worthy portable gaming console for the gamer on the go.
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