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MSI Claw A8 and older MSI 7-inch gaming handhelds reportedly receive new Windows game mode following recent Claw 8 AI+ rollout

The Claw A8 is the second Ryzen Z2 Extreme-powered handheld to receive Windows 11 Full Screen Experience support after the ROG Xbox Ally X. (Image source: MSI)
The Claw A8 is the second Ryzen Z2 Extreme-powered handheld to receive Windows 11 Full Screen Experience support after the ROG Xbox Ally X. (Image source: MSI)
Accoring to new reports, Microsoft's new Full Screen Experience mode within Windows 11 is now available on more MSI handhelds than just the Claw 8 AI+. Apparently, the SteamOS-like game mode has also reached the original Claw 7 A1M, as well as the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme-based Claw A8 and the Lunar Lake-powered Claw 7 AI+.

Yesterday, Microsoft kicked off the expansion of its Full Screen Experience (FSE) on Windows 11 to more devices. Initially revealed alongside the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and its cheaper sibling (curr. $599 on Amazon), Microsoft distributes FSE within the 25H2 update. However, only the ROG Xbox Ally series have been eligible to officially use FSE since the release of 25H2 last month.

However, Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 has now added FSE support for the MSI Claw series. As we discussed yesterday, ETA Prime has already demonstrated FSE Mode on the Claw 8 AI+. In short, the new mode brings some performance boosts but lacks the polish of SteamOS.

Microsoft's FSE Mode contains a multi-tasking mode not available on the regular version of Windows 11.  (Image source: Microsoft)
Microsoft's FSE Mode contains a multi-tasking mode not available on the regular version of Windows 11. (Image source: Microsoft)

As it turns out, FSE mode is available on more than just the Claw 8 AI+. Unfortunately, Microsoft was rather vague in its Insider Blog post by merely stating that FSE mode was 'rolling out to MSI Claw models' without specifying supported SKUs.

Nonetheless, reports have since emerged that FSE mode can be enabled on Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 using the original Claw 7 A1M or the AMD-powered Claw A8. Apparently, the Claw 7 AI+ has received the new mode too, which remains stuck in the shadow of the Claw 8 AI+ with its smaller display, smaller battery capacity and more limited availability. Other handhelds like the Legion Go S and ROG Ally X should start receiving FSE mode support within the 'coming months'.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 11 > MSI Claw A8 and older MSI 7-inch gaming handhelds reportedly receive new Windows game mode following recent Claw 8 AI+ rollout
Alex Alderson, 2025-11- 4 (Update: 2025-11- 4)