Windows 11’s handheld mode spotted in testing, and I’m seriously excited for Microsoft’s big bet on small-screen gaming

• Windows 11’s rumored handheld mode has been spotted in testing
• It’s still hidden in the background of preview builds, though
• This is a hint that Microsoft is stepping on the gas with development, perhaps to get this mode ready for the launch of the Asus Xbox Ally

Based on hints found in a recent preview edition of the operating system, Windows 11’s portable mode might be available sooner than we anticipated.

In order to run Windows 11 on a portable gaming system, like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally that is on the way, a handheld mode would be created. This would change the interface to something more suited for a small screen (with gamepad inputs instead of the mouse).

As you can see in the post below, PhantomOfEarth, a frequent leaker on X, recently discovered what looks to be the first Windows 11 setup experience on a portable device.

pic.twitter.com/iNUqXCKOtn

— phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) July 13, 2025

This was discovered in Windows 11 preview build 26100.4762, which was released last week into the Release Preview channel (the last stage before the final version of the OS).

After seeing the aforementioned post, Windows Latest conducted its own research and found references to a gamepad-optimized UI in other preview builds (in the Dev channel, an earlier testing venue). (Also a ‘cloud host environment’ for a ‘gamepad-based device’, which activates said interface, supporting pad-based buttons and controls).

Another X user in that forum notes that references to “gaming handhelds” can be seen in the Windows 11 code, which suggests that a lot of effort is being done right now to gut the desktop OS in order to create a new handheld experience.

Analysis: stepping on the gas

As previously indicated, there has been a great deal of discontent with Windows 11 gaming handhelds because the OS’s architecture frequently doesn’t work well on smaller screens. Overall, Windows 11 can be a terrible experience when compared to SteamOS, which boasts an interface intended for portable gaming. Features that are excellent and functional on a large desktop monitor can be plain fussy on a small device.

There have long been rumors about a dedicated handheld mode for Windows 11 that fixes many of the issues that come with the OS in this form factor, and it appears that this mode is getting closer and closer.

Given that the Asus Xbox Ally is anticipated to come later this year (although no official release date has been announced yet), it is not unexpected that Microsoft appears to be pushing the accelerator.

To put it mildly, I’m eager to watch how this new interface develops. Microsoft has already been making adjustments to the Xbox app and the Game Bar to make Windows 11 more portable.

Although the code discovered above is in the Release Preview channel, which is one step ahead of release as mentioned, keep in mind that it is still hidden in the background, so don’t anticipate an immediate appearance.

More pieces of the puzzle should start to fit together (in testing) before the Asus Xbox Ally is released, perhaps with a reasonable price tag, though rumors aren’t good on that front.