New Windows 11 controller shortcut is a less complicated method to launch current video games

Microsoft is testing a brand new characteristic for Windows 11 that allows you to use a controller to launch recently-played video games, avoiding the necessity to use a mouse and keyboard. The characteristic is called the “controller bar,” and is accessible by urgent the central Xbox button on a controller once you’re not at present in a sport. It’s designed to point out as much as three recently-played video games, alongside a number of sport launchers like Steam.

As somebody whose gaming PC is completely plugged into his TV, I can see the characteristic being very helpful for individuals like me. Currently, even when I’m taking part in a controller-based sport, I first want to make use of a wi-fi keyboard and trackpad to launch it from Windows. But sooner or later I’d have the ability to skip this step, and boot up current video games with only a controller. Once you’re in a sport, Microsoft says urgent the Xbox button will proceed to launch the extra in-depth Xbox Game Bar, relatively than the brand new controller bar.

Microsoft says the controller bar characteristic is at present in testing for Windows Insiders on its Dev and Beta channels, and warns that there might be bugs (like some video games failing to seem, or others showing a number of instances). Instructions on methods to allow the brand new characteristic may be present in Microsoft’s blog post.