While the Xbox Ally X didn’t overly impress with its Xbox-like console experience, one of the neat features of Asus and Microsoft’s handheld collaboration was the debut of a new reduced-feature version of Windows, called the Xbox Full Screen Experience, or FSE. This interface made for an easier way to navigate Windows using a touchscreen and D-pad while also reducing the memory footprint of the OS and, in turn, improving performance. Originally exclusive to the Xbox Ally X, FSE has steadily been rolling out to other devices, and now Microsoft has made it available to all existing Windows gaming handhelds.
That means that if you’re the owner of an original ROG Ally X, a Lenovo Legion Go, or an MSI Claw 2, to name just a few of the best gaming handhelds around, you can now try Microsoft’s FSE experience, potentially unlocking a little boost in performance as well as gaining a more streamlined way to navigate Windows.
What FSE does is replace the standard Windows desktop experience with a version that doesn’t load the desktop and reduces the number of background tasks, too. This frees up 2GB of space in memory, allowing for more space for games and other apps to run – a factor that’s particularly important because the GPU also uses this memory rather than having dedicated VRAM.
This reduction in memory load and other background task interruptions can result in gains in frame rate, though results can be inconsistent. In testing for our Xbox Ally X review, some games immediately benefited to the tune of a 10%+ boost in frame rate, while others weren’t affected. Still, it’s an option that’s definitely worth a try to get the most from your handheld.
Meanwhile, the other benefit of FSE is that it brings a much more D-pad-optimized interface to your handheld. You can access different game launchers and some key system settings, switch between apps, and even unlock the device all via button inputs, rather than fiddly touchscreen inputs. It can’t fix games and other apps that aren’t optimized for a handheld – and it’s nowhere near as complete an overhaul as SteamOS for the Steam Deck – but it can make the initial navigation of your device easier.
FSE is available now for any Windows handheld owners to download and try – you can still use normal Windows too, so there’s no downside – and it will also be available for essentially all Windows PC devices soon, via the Windows Insider program. That means you could use it on a Windows gaming tablet, such as the Asus ROG Flow Z13, for instance.
