Xbox Full Screen Experience arrives on Legion Go 2 and other Windows handhelds earlier than expected

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X were the first Windows handhelds to showcase Microsoft’s new gaming UI. The Xbox Full Screen Experience is now coming to other handheld gaming PCs on November 21st. Previously, the industry anticipated the interface arriving on the Lenovo Legion Go 2 in Spring 2026.

Microsoft unveiled the new release schedule during its just-aired Xbox Partner Preview showcase. In late October, the company began rolling out its full-screen option for MSI Claw devices. However, gamers had to participate in the Windows Insider program to access the feature.

The Legion Go 2, including the AMD Z2 Extreme version, also required workarounds to enable the Xbox Full Screen Experience. Originally, Lenovo stated that it would not receive the official update until 2026. That timeline seems to have changed, with Microsoft including all Windows handhelds in its latest announcement.

Gamers don’t have to implement the menu system, which aims to make navigating gaming handhelds less cumbersome. Windows settings allow users to toggle the FSE on or off. When activated, the devices will reboot with the Xbox app taking over their screens. Players can then browse and launch games from third-party marketplaces using analog sticks and buttons.

Does the Xbox Full Screen Experience improve frame rates?

The tweaked interface also avoids using some background processes, freeing up memory, in an attempt to improve performance.  Still, it hasn’t launched on the ROG Xbox Ally without some glitches. With other apps, controller functionality often doesn’t work as intended. Despite Microsoft’s efforts, more clunky aspects of its OS also tend to pop up, interfering with gameplay.

It’s hoped that by the time a new Xbox handheld or console launches, the FSE will be more streamlined. Nevertheless, critics argue that only a UI designed for a console will limit frustrations.

Desktop and laptop users should also prepare for the Xbox Full Screen Experience. The Partner Preview broadcast confirmed that Insider members will be able to test the feature on all Windows 11 PCs.