Microsoft Confirms 'Xbox Mode' Will Launch on Windows 11 in Select Markets This April

At GDC 2026, Microsoft confirmed that its upcoming Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, will be powered by AMD’s custom SoC and feature multi-frame generation. Alongside that announcement, Microsoft also confirmed that it is taking its gaming expertise directly into Windows. The company has also confirmed “Xbox Mode” will roll out on Windows 11 in April in select markets.

Xbox Mode brings console experience to Windows 11, this April

As Microsoft notes, the feature will give players “a familiar full-screen and controller-optimized Xbox experience while embracing the openness of Windows.” In other words, you can switch effortlessly between productivity tasks and gaming on your Windows PCs.

With Xbox Mode, players can access these titles across devices, “whether through purchases, subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass, or from other leading storefronts.” The integration will work with Xbox Play Anywhere, so that progress, saves, and purchases carry over seamlessly between PC and console. Players no longer need to repurchase games or worry about losing hours of gameplay.

Microsoft further reports that the Xbox Play Anywhere catalog now includes over 1,500 games. That includes contributions from more than 500 development teams. The company also mentions that this cross-device commitment is part of its strategy to unify the Xbox and Windows ecosystems.

The new mode comes at a time when Xbox is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Microsoft has also confirmed that 2026 will be a big year for classic Xbox games. The company, in the announcement, talks about the return of iconic franchises like Halo and Gears of War, alongside major third-party releases.

Meanwhile, games created by independent developers are also set to feature in this year’s Xbox catalog. These include titles like Beethoven & Dinosaur’s Mixtape and Crimson Desert from Pearl Abyss, which showcase creativity across the platform.