We ’re ultimately starting to make some progression on the handheld experience of Windows 11 . Although Windows 11 handhelds like theROG Ally Xare some of thebest hand-held gaming PCsyou can buy , that ’s despite their function of Windows , not because of it . Now , the latest Windows 11 Insider trailer ( build 22631.4387 ) adds a feature that should make navigating the OS much leisurely on a handheld — a keyboard built for gamepads .
Windows has included an onscreen keyboard for years , and update over the last span of years have even made it usable with touch remark . On a handheld , however , there are two problems with the keyboard . You ca n’t invoke it course — you have to bindWindows + Ctrl + Oto a hotkey — and you ca n’t use your controller to navigate it . With the unexampled update , Microsoft is fixing that last point , at the very least .
Similar to an Xbox , you ’ll be able to navigate the onscreen keyboard using your controller , and Microsoft even says it ’s including “ button accelerator , ” allowing you to apply buttons like ex forBackspaceand Y forSpace . Normally , the onscreen keyboard features a staggered layout distinctive of a QWERTY keyboard , but the gamepad - focused adaptation use a upright alignment so it ’s promiscuous to sail — once again , interchangeable to an Xbox .
Microsoft has slowly been ameliorate the handheld experience for Windows 11 with features likeCompact Mode for the Xbox app . Still , the experience of using Windows 11 on your couch or a handheld is far from consummate . Tools like EmuDeckhave set about to reverse some of the nonremittal feature of speech in Windows to offer a more seamless , console - alike experience , but it ’s clear that Windows has a long way to go before it can rival SteamOS for controller - resile gamers .
The changes to the onscreen keyboard are a big step in the veracious direction , however . If nothing else , the changes make it so you do n’t have to pull out a Bluetooth keyboard when you ask to navigate through the OS proper , or pat dancing with your fingerbreadth across a 7 - inch screen .
We have n’t test the updated keyboard yet , and you might not be able to right away , either . Like most Insider preview work up , Microsoft is wrap out the in style feature update bit by bit . If you need to be among the first to see new feature in Windows 11 , verify to check out our templet onhow to join the Windows Insider political platform .
The onscreen keyboard is n’t the only new feature in the update . As Microsoft promised , the latest anatomy leave you torebind the Copilot keyto open any signal MSIX package , and the Start carte du jour can now show your phone ’s details through the Phone Link app .
