How to Enable or Disable Xbox Mode in Windows 11

What is Xbox Mode?

Xbox Mode in Windows 11 is a special setting that makes your PC act like an Xbox console, showing only games in a full-screen view. This mode is made for a natural gaming feel when you use a controller, letting you play comfortably from further away.

Xbox Mode offers a natural gaming experience for controller users. The mode uses a design that supports relaxed gameplay when sitting back from the screen.

What You Need

To use Xbox Mode on Windows 11, you need a recent version of Windows, specifically build 26220.7271 or newer. You also need the Xbox app already installed and must be signed up for the Xbox Insider Program, which you can join using the Xbox Insider Hub app.

• Windows 11 build 26220.7271 or newer (Dev or Beta 25H2)
• Xbox app installed (it comes with Windows 11)
• Xbox Insider Program membership
• Xbox Insider Hub app

To join the Xbox Insider Program:

1. Open the Xbox Insider Hub app
2. Go to Previews > PC Gaming Preview
3. Select Join

How to Enable or Disable Xbox Mode

Option 1Using Settings

Xbox Mode in Windows 11 is a setting you can easily turn on or off using ⚙️ the Settings app. This straightforward method lets you control your gaming setup without complicated steps. To change Xbox Mode, open the Settings app, go to Gaming, and then find the Xbox Mode option.

1. Press ⊞ Win+I to ⚙️ open Settings
2. Click Gaming on the left side
3. Click Xbox mode on the right side

Toggle the switch to ‘On’ (which is the default) or ‘Off’.

Close Settings

Option 2Using Registry Editor

You can turn on Xbox Mode by making changes in the Registry Editor, but this requires administrator permission. Open Registry Editor, then go to the specific path 🗝️HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft to find the setting you need to adjust for Xbox Mode.copy

⚠️ Admin Required: You need administrator privileges for this method.

To enable Xbox Mode:

1. Press Win and search for “Registry Editor”
2. Right-click it and select Run as administrator
3. Navigate to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\GameBar
4. Look for the key named GamingHomeApp
5. Set the value to: Microsoft.GamingApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe!Microsoft.Xbox.App
6. Click OK and close Registry Editor

To disable Xbox Mode:

1. Follow steps 1-3 above
2. Set the GamingHomeApp value to nothing (leave it blank)
3. Click OK and close Registry Editor

Terminal command:

Enable:

reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GamingConfiguration" /v GamingHomeApp /t REG_SZ /d "Microsoft.GamingApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe!Microsoft.Xbox.App" /f

Disable:

Xbox Mode allows users to enter a special gaming screen by pressing the Windows key and F11 together. Pressing these keys again exits Xbox Mode. This mode helps focus your computer for gaming, making your gaming experience smoother.

If You Don’t See Xbox Mode Yet

If you can’t find Xbox Mode in your Windows 11 settings, you can add it manually using a tool called ViVeTool, which needs administrator rights. Open Windows Terminal as an administrator and run the command vivetool /enable /id:59765208, then 🔄 restart your PC to see the option.

⚠️ Admin Required: This method needs administrator privileges.

1. Open Windows Terminal as administrator
2. Run this command: vivetool /enable /id:59765208
3. 🔄 Restart your computer

For more information, visit Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors, Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors for Windows Insiders, Starting today, Full Screen Experience for Windows 11 PCs is available for Xbox Insiders! – Xbox Wire, Windows Gaming: Full screen experience – Microsoft Support,  Open Xbox mode settings.

Summary

Xbox Mode in Windows 11 helps you focus on games by creating a distraction-free, full-screen view, and you can turn it on through Settings, the Registry Editor, or ViVeTool if needed.