Microsoft announced that its full-screen Xbox interface, now called Xbox Mode, will roll out to all Windows 11 devices including laptops and desktops in April. The feature, which debuted on the ROG Ally Xbox handheld, was previously limited to Windows 11 gaming portables. Xbox Mode offers a controller-optimized experience for browsing libraries, launching games, using Game Bar, and switching between apps.

This move directly competes with Steam's 15-year-old Big Picture Mode, bringing console-like navigation to PC gaming. Microsoft revealed the news at GDC, noting Xbox Mode will launch in select markets initially. The company previously tested the feature with Windows 11 Insiders last fall, highlighting quick task switching between games and applications as a key benefit.

Beyond Xbox Mode, Microsoft announced several developer-focused updates at GDC. Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD), which reduces shader processing delays and stuttering, will be available to all Xbox store developers. DirectStorage technology is gaining Zstandard compression support and a new Game Asset Conditional Library tool. The company also previewed next-generation Machine Learning implementation in DirectX. These updates, along with plans to send Project Helix development kits to studios next year, signal Microsoft's push to streamline both the gaming experience and development pipeline.