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| Windows 11 Full Screen Experience (FSE) interface displayed on a monitor with an Xbox controller used for navigation |
Microsoft has quietly rolled out a major update to its Xbox gaming ecosystem, expanding a feature once exclusive to handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally to everyday Windows 11 laptops and desktops. The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) effectively transforms a standard Windows PC into a console-like interface, and enabling it is simpler than you might think.
Originally designed for portable gaming devices, FSE now lets users boot directly into a full-screen gaming launcher, bypassing the traditional Windows desktop. According to a detailed demonstration by popular tech YouTuber ETA Prime, the feature is accessible to anyone enrolled in Microsoft’s Insider program.
You can watch the full setup and performance breakdown in ETA Prime’s video here.
The video shows that after a few updates, FSE delivers a streamlined, controller-friendly interface centered on the Xbox app, with quick game switching and reduced system overhead.
How to Enable Xbox Full Screen Experience on Windows 11
Microsoft has made the feature available through the Windows Insider Preview program. Here’s a step-by-step guide to activating it:
- Install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Microsoft Store and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Inside the app, navigate to Preview and join the PC Gaming Preview.
- Switch your Windows 11 build to the Beta or Dev Channel. Open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, link your account, and select your preferred channel.
- Install all pending updates from Windows Update and restart your system.
- Finally, enable the feature by going to Settings > Gaming > Full Screen Experience.
Once enabled, restarting your PC will launch directly into the new full-screen dashboard.
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| Side-by-side comparison showing approximately 2 GB lower RAM usage in Windows 11 Full Screen Experience (FSE) mode compared with standard desktop mode, based on testing by ETA Prime |
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| Windows 11 Full Screen Experience (FSE) multitasking view showing multiple running games and the Xbox app switcher, as demonstrated in ETA Prime’s testing |
Performance Benefits and Real-World Testing
One of the most compelling selling points of FSE is its efficiency. By suspending the standard desktop environment, it reduces background processes and frees up system memory.
In ETA Prime’s testing, a gaming laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 used approximately 5.7 GB of RAM in FSE mode, compared to 7.7 GB in standard desktop mode. This reduction of roughly 2 GB aligns with Microsoft’s claims and could provide a meaningful performance boost for systems with limited RAM or integrated graphics that rely on shared system memory.
For raw gaming performance, the difference was less pronounced. Benchmarking Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p Ultra settings on the RTX 5050 showed nearly identical results between desktop and FSE modes, with FSE occasionally showing a 1-2 FPS advantage—well within a normal margin of error. The primary benefit, therefore, appears to be a cleaner, more responsive system for game switching rather than a direct frame-rate booster.
A Console Feel, But Not Quite Quick Resume
FSE successfully mimics the multitasking feel of an Xbox console but stops short of fully replicating the beloved Quick Resume feature. In the demo, ETA Prime switches between a lightweight indie game and the demanding Cyberpunk 2077. While the interface smoothly juggles multiple running titles, it doesn’t offer the consistent, instant suspend-and-resume state found on Xbox Series X|S consoles.
Instead, think of FSE as a polished, game-centric “desktop replacement” mode. It offers faster switching and fewer distractions but isn’t yet as seamless as the console implementation.
The Bigger Picture for Windows Gaming
The expansion of FSE to mainstream Windows 11 PCs is a strategic move by Microsoft. It provides a simplified, living-room-friendly interface for traditional desktops and laptops, not just handhelds.
With Valve’s Steam Machine launch reportedly on the horizon, Microsoft appears to be refining its own integrated gaming environment to strengthen the Windows ecosystem. This development also aligns with rumors of upcoming Xbox hardware moving toward a console-PC hybrid design, suggesting FSE could become a central software experience bridging Microsoft’s gaming platforms.
Currently limited to Windows Insider builds, the Xbox Full Screen Experience is clearly still in development. Microsoft has indicated that support for additional launchers beyond the Xbox app is being considered for the future. As the feature moves toward a public release, further refinements are almost certain, positioning Windows 11 as an increasingly versatile and gamer-friendly operating system.