New On-Screen Keyboard Optimized for Gamepad Use Lands on the Dev Channel

Microsoft has just dropped two new Windows 11 Insider builds on the Dev and Beta channels today, and one of them brings an interesting new feature for gamers. Indeed, the Dev build 26120.2130 introduces a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard on Windows 11 that can be controlled with an Xbox controller.

This new Gamepad layout pretty much replicates the experience of using an Xbox controller to type on Xbox consoles. With button accelerators, users can press the X button for backspace, Y button for spacebar, the LB and RB keys to move the cursor to the left or right, etc. “The keyboard keys have been vertically aligned for better controller navigation patterns,” the Windows Insider team also explained.

As with many new features included in Windows Insider builds these days, this new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard on Windows 11 will roll out gradually to Insiders on the Dev Channel. Today’s Dev build 26120.2130 also bring minor improvements for Narrator, including the ability to auto-read the content of a mail in the new Outlook for Windows app.

For Windows Insiders on the Beta channel, the build 22635.4371 brings an experimental change to the way apps are suggested for snapping in snap layouts. A Snipping Tool update is also rolling to Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview channels that introduces a new “Copy as table” feature.