Microsoft explores ‘Handheld Mode’ gaming UI on Windows 11, similar to Steam Deck

The Steam Deck is a hit, and it’s one of the most interesting portable console-style gaming PCs, but it doesn’t run on Windows, and Microsoft wants to change it. The tech giant is exploring a new “Handheld Mode” UI for Windows 11, which could optimize the operating system for portable gaming PCs.

At Microsoft Hackathon, an annual internal event where employees and teams gather to explore unconventional ideas, Microsoft discussed a new project dubbed “Windows Handheld Mode,”. Although most Hackathon projects are not guaranteed to become actual products, some eventually develop into real products.

During the event, Microsoft employees are encouraged to think outside of the box and collaborate with others from different divisions. This cross-functional approach often results in innovative ideas and prototypes that have the potential to become successful products, and one such idea pitched by the Windows team was “Handheld mode for Windows”.

At the event, Microsoft confirmed it is exploring support for “Windows Handheld Mode,” which will replace the traditional Windows desktop interface with a gaming console UI. The new gaming shell UI is optimized for Steam Deck-like portable gaming PCs, and it’s similar to Android’s launcher interface.

Here are some features of the shell:

• Dialed-in support for your Deck’s hardware so games simply launch & play better
• A handheld-optimized launcher for all your games and stores
• Windows optimizations for your handheld’s touch screen to improve touch points and visibility

The tech giant is planning to optimize the interface of Windows 11 to create a “gaming-first” launcher-like experience, so users can easily find games through the Microsoft Store and navigate Windows via the controller.

“Windows and Xbox app users deserve this, need this,” Microsoft officials noted in the hackathon project description.

“A Windows gaming experience, dialed-in to handhelds, represents a new revenue stream in multiple ways, as well as being a goodwill gesture to the PC gaming community (further improving Windows/Xbox’s image and cred). Let’s build incrementally, let’s release previews, let’s build excitement, and let’s get serious about handheld gaming on Windows”.

As you can see in the above screen, there is a search bar at the top of the launcher, the system tray has been redesigned to focus on what matters, and there is an app launcher to help to you quickly launch the games from the bottom.

While not all Hackathon projects see the light of day, they provide valuable opportunities for Microsoft employees to experiment and think creatively, ultimately leading to new discoveries and breakthroughs. By fostering a culture of innovation and creativity, Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the tech industry.