Microsoft Might Be In Works To Improve Windows-Based Handheld Consoles, Senior Executive Drops Hint

Microsoft’s VP of Xbox Gaming Devices & Ecosystem, said that the company aims to integrate features developed for consoles into PCs and handheld gaming.

A senior Microsoft executive said that the company is working on optimising Windows for devices controlled by buttons rather than a mouse.

Source : Unsplash/Glenn Carstens-Peters

At CES 2025, new handheld gaming consoles like the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 have made their debut. While Microsoft’s rumoured gaming handheld remains absent, a senior executive hinted at upcoming plans to enhance the user experience for Windows-based gaming devices, potentially launching later this year. Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of Xbox Gaming Devices & Ecosystem, shared with The Verge that the company aims to integrate features developed for consoles into PCs and handheld gaming.

This initiative could replace traditional Windows desktop elements with an interface optimized for controllers, blending the Xbox and Windows experiences seamlessly.

The Verge quoted Ronald as saying, “I would say it's bringing the best of Xbox and Windows together, because we have spent the last 20 years building a world-class operating system, but it's really locked to the console.”

What's Wrong With Windows-Based Handheld Gaming Consoles?

One of the most common complaints when it comes to Windows-based handheld gaming consoles is related to the OS itself. Most handheld gaming consoles feature a 7-inch display and Windows lags behind in coming up with a optimised UI for smaller screens.

Valve's SteamOS delivers a more user-friendly experience, resembling a scaled-down version of popular full-sized consoles. It operates seamlessly on the Steam Deck, Valve's own gaming handheld.

Windows-based handhelds currently rely on the Xbox app to access Game Pass subscriptions, which has been updated to better support these devices.

Will It Be Fixed?

Jason Ronald, Microsoft's VP of Xbox Gaming Devices & Ecosystem, explained to The Verge that the company is working on optimising Windows for devices controlled by buttons rather than a mouse. He highlighted that many of Xbox's features can be integrated into Windows, given that the console is built on the same operating system. According to Ronald, gamers might not have to wait long, as announcements about these improvements for handheld gaming devices are expected later this year.

It remains unclear whether these enhancements will be rolled out to existing devices or if they will be exclusive to upcoming models like the Lenovo Legion Go 2. More details about Microsoft's efforts to merge the Xbox experience with Windows are likely to emerge in the coming months.