Windows 11 is testing a new gamepad keyboard layout optimized for Xbox controllers. This feature aims to enhance the on-screen keyboard experience by allowing users to type and navigate the operating system using an Xbox controller.
Currently available in the Windows 11 beta channel, this gamepad keyboard includes specific button functions: the X button for backspace, the Y button for the spacebar, and the menu button for enter. The layout has been adjusted to a vertical alignment, making it more user-friendly for controller input.
This addition is particularly promising for Windows-based handheld devices, especially as Microsoft faces competition from Valve’s Steam Deck. While Microsoft is making strides with features like the gamepad keyboard, it still needs to address fundamental issues such as controller login and text field access.
Additionally, Microsoft is refining the Windows Game Bar with a new compact mode for smaller screens, similar to the Xbox app’s compact mode on PC. Enhancements to the Xbox app also aim to improve controller navigation, streamlining the user experience.