Gamepad
The latest Gamepad coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Vanilla Wii U Emulator: Preserving Nintendo's Dual-Screen Legacy on PC
The Wii U's unusual GamePad—an oversized controller with an embedded touchscreen that mirrors and extends the console's output—has long been one of Nintendo's most interesting hardware...
Xbox Controllers on Windows 11 Gain Task View With a Long Press in New Preview Build
A new Windows 11 preview build is giving Xbox controllers a long-press shortcut to Task View, addressing a key gap in gamepad navigation as Microsoft gears up for a wave of handheld gaming PCs. Build...
Microsoft Repurposes Xbox Button for Multitasking: Long Press Opens Task View in Windows 11 Insider
Microsoft has quietly changed how the Xbox button works on Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, giving gamepad users a faster way to manage open windows. A long press of the Xbox button now opens Task...
Microsoft Engineers Built a Windows Handheld Prototype, But It Never Left the Hackathon Floor
A three-minute video that surfaced on social media in April 2023 showed what Windows 11 could look like on a handheld gaming PC—controller-first onboarding, a gamepad-friendly homescreen, and...
Windows 11 Start Menu redesign now rolling out to Insiders with resizable sections and cross-device Phone Link support
Microsoft has rolled out a major redesign of the Windows 11 Start Menu, introducing a host of new customization options and cross-device integration features. This update, currently available to...
Build 26120.4250 Beta slashes Start Menu load times 15%, overhauls File Explorer.
Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4250 (Beta Channel, 24H2) introduces a wave of refinements that could reshape how users interact with their PCs. The update brings...
Microsoft Delays Xbox Handheld, Shifts Focus to Windows 11 for Portable Gaming Dominance
Microsoft has reportedly delayed its rumored Xbox handheld device, opting instead to strengthen Windows 11's position as the premier platform for portable gaming PCs. This strategic pivot comes as...
Gamepad typing arrives in Windows 11 with button shortcuts and vertical key layout
Introduction Microsoft has introduced a new gamepad-friendly keyboard layout in Windows 11, aiming to enhance the gaming experience by allowing users to type and navigate using an Xbox controller....
Windows 11 Beta & Dev Builds: Snap Layouts, Accessibility, Gaming Upgrades
Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of Windows 11 with its latest Insider builds, introducing exciting new features and improvements across both Beta and Dev Channels. These preview releases...
Windows 11 Build 27744 boosts gamepad, WSA Prism, and Task Manager
Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 to the Canary Channel, introducing several notable improvements and fixes while also highlighting known issues. This build continues...