Gaming Enter and Exit Xbox Mode in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enter and exit Xbox mode for full screen gaming for your account on Windows 11.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.8328 (24H2), build 26200.8328 (25H2), and build 28000.2179 (26H1), Xbox mode is now available on Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets.

Xbox mode is a console inspired, dedicated gaming experience that gives players a controller-optimized way to navigate and play on Windows. When using Xbox mode, Windows will start your gaming home app to use as a launcher for your games and apps and games will be run full screen.

Once you’ve entered Xbox mode, you’ll see the Xbox home screen and can access your games, including Xbox, Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and your installed games from other popular storefronts. It’s easy to switch between your open apps and games with just a long press on the Xbox button on your controller or on your keyboard.

Starting with the Xbox app version 2604.1000.30.0 on Windows 11, Xbox Full Screen Experience has been renamed to Xbox mode. Microsoft has also added an improved first run experience when entering Xbox mode.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26200.9818 (25H2), build 26300.9818 (26H2), and build 268120.3393 (Experimental 26H1), Microsoft is introducing a refreshed Gaming Task View experience in XBOX mode, featuring a new navigation bar that provides quick access to Exit to Desktop and Power Options. This update makes key system actions easier to access while gaming.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26340.9843 (Experimental 26H2) for Insiders, Microsoft is bringing Quick settings to the Gaming Task View navigation bar in XBOX mode, giving you access to the full set of Quick settings available on the Windows taskbar without having to leave XBOX mode.

If you don't have the Gaming Task View experience in XBOX mode in the builds above yet and would like to test it now, you can manually enable it using the ViveTool command below.

vivetool.exe /enable /id:60761441


References:








1 Perform an action below:

• Press the + F11 keys to toggle Xbox Mode.
• While in FSE, press the key to open Task View, and click/tap on the Switch to Windows Desktop button.
• While in FSE, press and hold the Xbox button on your controller to exit Xbox Mode.

2 Click/tap on Enter Xbox mode and Got it or Continue (exit) if prompted to confirm Switching to Xbox mode or Switching to Windows desktop. (see screenshots below)







1 Perform the appropriate action:

• If not in XBOX Mode, open Task View (+Tab).
• If in XBOX Mode. press to open Task View.

2 Perform an action below: (see screenshots below)

• Click/tap on Xbox mode to enter.
• Click/tap on Switch to Windows Desktop or Windows desktop to exit.

3 Click/tap on Enter Xbox mode and Got it or Continue (exit) if prompted to confirm Switching to Xbox mode or Switching to Windows desktop. (see screenshots below)







1 Open the Game Bar (+G).

2 Click/tap on the Settings (gear) button on the game bar. (see screenshots below step 3)

3 In Settings, perform an action below: (see screenshots below)

• Click/tap on Enter Xbox mode to enter.
• Click/tap on Exit Xbox mode to exit.

4 Click/tap on Enter Xbox mode and Got it or Continue (exit) if prompted to confirm Switching to Xbox mode or Switching to Windows desktop. (see screenshots below)







1 Open the Xbox app.

2 Click/tap on the Home button in the left pane. (see screenshots below step 3)

3 Click/tap on the Xbox mode or Exit Xbox mode button to the right of the search bar. (see screenshots below)


4 Click/tap on Enter Xbox mode and Got it or Continue (exit) if prompted to confirm Switching to Xbox mode or Switching to Windows desktop. (see screenshots below)




That's it,
Shawn Brink