New handheld gaming consoles such as the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 were launched at CES 2025. While there’s no sign that Microsoft will launch the rumored gaming handheld, an executive hinted that the company plans to improve the user experience for the Windows-based console, which could arrive as early as this year. The company’s upcoming improvements will likely see traditional Windows desktop elements take a back seat in favor of an interface designed for controller use.
In an interaction with The Verge at CES, Microsoft Vice President (Xbox Gaming Devices and Ecosystems) Jason Ronald said the company hopes to bring improvements developed for consoles to PC and handheld gaming. He added that the Redmond-based company is looking to “combine” the Xbox and Windows experiences.
Running Windows on a gaming handheld can be a frustrating experience
“I would say it combines the best of Xbox and Windows because we’ve been building world-class operating systems for the last 20 years, but it’s really limited to consoles,” the executive told the publication.
We review a number of Windows-based gaming handsets here at technology shout, and one of the most common complaints we come across has to do with the operating system. Windows still lacks an optimized UI for smaller screens (most handheld consoles come with 7-inch displays), and you may encounter requests to install drivers and may be interrupted by system notifications.
Valve’s SteamOS, on the other hand, offers a more intuitive experience that feels like a scaled-down version of the larger, popular console. It also runs very smoothly on the Steam Deck, the company’s gaming handheld computer.
On Windows-based handheld devices, users are currently limited to using their Game Pass subscription within the Xbox app, which has been updated with improved support for these devices.
Ronald told The Verge that Microsoft is working on improving the experience of using Windows on devices that use controller buttons instead of a mouse. He also noted that much of the company’s Xbox technology can be integrated into Windows because the company’s consoles are built on the same operating system.
Gamers likely won’t have to wait long to see all of these improvements come to handheld gaming devices, the executive said, telling the publication that announcements related to Windows changes for smaller devices are expected later this year.
It’s unclear whether these enhancements will be available on existing devices or if only upcoming models, such as the Lenovo Legion Go 2, will come with the improved interface. We expect to hear more details about the company’s plans to bring the Xbox experience to Windows in the coming months.
