Xbox Full Screen Experience Becomes ‘Xbox mode’ in Latest Windows 11 Insider Builds

Microsoft is getting close to making its new Xbox mode available for all Windows 11 users. The new mode, previously known as the Xbox Full Screen Experience, is rolling out today to Windows Insiders on the Dev and Beta Channels. There are also two new preview builds with minor changes for Insiders on the Canary Channel.

Last month, Microsoft announced at GDC 2026 that the new Xbox mode would become generally available for Windows 11 users in select markets in April. The new controller-optimized experience allows PC gamers to browse and launch their games, all while keeping the Windows desktop easily accessible. While this new Xbox Mode isn’t as refined as Steam’s Big Picture mode, there’s a good foundation here for a distraction-free interface.

Dev and Beta Channel Insiders with compatible input devices can also test new haptic feedback effects while performing certain actions on Windows 11. The Windows Insider team mentioned “aligning objects in PowerPoint, window snapping, resizing, or hovering over the Close button.” On the Dev Channel, the build 26220.8148 also introduces a new icon to show where a printer supports Windows Protected Print Mode in print settings.

Once again, the latest Canary builds are light on new features. The build 28020.1803 adds the ability for pen users to configure the pen tail button to open the same app as the Copilot key, and this is something that was previously rolled out to the Dev, Beta, and Release Preview Channels. For Canary testers who opted in to receive 29500 series builds, today’s build 29560.1000 only introduces under-the-hood platform changes and bug fixes.