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 feel like an Xbox console, giving you a full-screen view just for gaming.

Why would you want this? If you use a controller to play games, Xbox Mode feels natural. It’s designed for leaning back and relaxing while you play.

What You Need

To use Xbox Mode on Windows 11, you’ll need a recent Windows build, the Xbox app, and to be part of the Xbox Insider Program.

• 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

Why choose this method? Settings offers the simplest approach. You won’t need to touch any command lines.

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 changing settings in the Registry Editor, which gives you direct control but requires administrator rights.

⚠️ 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:

reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GamingConfiguration" /v GamingHomeApp /t REG_SZ /d "" /f

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Once Xbox Mode is enabled, you can enter it anytime by pressing ⊞ Win+F11. Press it again to exit.

If You Don’t See Xbox Mode Yet

If you can’t find Xbox Mode in your Windows 11 settings, you can manually add it using a tool called ViVeTool, which needs administrator access.

⚠️ 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.