Microsoft changes how Xbox gamepad button works on Windows 11

[Creaky]

Microsoft is working on a useful new feature for those who play PC games using controllers with an Xbox button. As of right now, pressing the button opens the Game Bar, while pressing and holding it shuts down the controller. With the latest preview builds, which are now available in the Dev and Beta Channels, Microsoft is giving the button another function.

If your PC runs Windows 11 version 25H2 with build 26220.6682 or Windows 11 version 24H2 with build 26120.6682, you can use the controller to launch Task View. To do so, long-press the Xbox button, and Windows 11 will present you with all your currently open apps. With this change, the Xbox button offers three features:

• Short press: Open Game Bar
• Long press: Open Task View
• Press and hold: Turn off the gamepad

The ability to open Task View by long-pressing the Xbox button will also come in handy on handheld devices, such as the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. Here is what Microsoft says in the release notes:

We have made some improvements for using Xbox game controllers for gaming on Windows 11. Short pressing the Xbox button opens Game Bar. A new change we’re introducing is when you long press the Xbox button, it will open Task View. Pressing and holding the Xbox button continues to turn off the game controller.

If you want to try the new Xbox button behavior, keep in mind that the preview builds have a known bug related to Xbox controllers. It is a pretty serious one, which can cause system crashes:

Some Insiders are experiencing an issue where using their Xbox Controller via Bluetooth is causing their PC to bugcheck. Here is how to resolve the issue. Open Device Manager by searching for it via the search box on your taskbar. Once Device Manager is open, click on “View” and then “Devices by Driver”. Find the driver named “oemXXX.inf (XboxGameControllerDriver.inf)” where the “XXX” will be a specific number on your PC. Right-click on that driver and click “Uninstall”.

You can find all details about the latest Windows 11 Dev and Beta builds here.

Source: Microsoft changes how Xbox gamepad button works on Windows 11