Windows 11 Is Getting a New Quality-of-Life Feature for Xbox Gamepads

Microsoft has begun testing a new update for Windows 11 that will change how Xbox controllers work with the OS. The new feature is designed to make navigating a PC with a controller more convenient and practical, especially for non-gaming scenarios.

Right now, members of the Windows Insider Program in the Dev Channel can try out a new way to summon the Task View menu. To activate it, simply hold down the Xbox button for a few seconds. The menu that pops up lets you quickly switch between open application and game windows without going back to the keyboard or mouse. This is a great quality-of-life improvement during a gaming session, as you won't have to put the controller down.

The button's standard functions will remain: a quick press will still open the Game Bar, and holding it down to power off the controller will still work. This change brings the controller experience on regular PCs in line with handheld gaming systems like the ASUS ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go. These devices have had a similar feature for a while, as it's critical for convenient mouse-free navigation, and now it's finally making its way to the full PC experience.

There's no official word yet on when the update will roll out to all Windows 11 users. Typically, new features take a few months to move from testing in preview builds to the stable public release.

Previously, the company reminded users about the end of support for Windows 10, which is scheduled for October 14, 2025. Despite the impending deadline, most users have yet to make the switch to Windows 11.