Windows 11's gaming-focused feature Xbox Mode has been shown to reduce memory use, but it did not deliver a clear improvement in game performance, a test found. That has prompted an assessment that Microsoft's strategy to build a console-like PC gaming environment has yet to produce results in line with expectations.

TechRadar, a technology media outlet, reported on June 17 that a recent comparison test found virtually no gaming performance difference between the standard Windows 11 desktop environment and Xbox Mode.

Xbox Mode is a game-only interface Microsoft is developing for Windows 11. It aims to offer a console-like user experience on PCs and is seen as a core feature in turning Windows 11 into a more gaming-centric operating system.

The test was conducted by the well-known IT YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips using two PCs with the same specifications. It compared the standard Windows 11 desktop environment with Xbox Mode.

The results differed from expectations. In Forza Horizon 5 at 1080p with maximum graphics settings and upscaling disabled, frame rates were effectively identical in the two environments. No difference appeared at 1440p. Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom: The Dark Ages showed similar results. Some numerical differences emerged, but they were difficult to notice in actual gameplay.

A difference did appear in memory usage. Xbox Mode used less RAM than the standard desktop environment. The reduced memory use did not translate into higher frame rates or improved game performance. The test concluded that Xbox Mode uses system resources more efficiently, but at this stage does not provide gamers with a noticeable performance boost.

For Microsoft, the result is disappointing. Windows 11 is the de facto standard operating system in the PC gaming market, but it has recently been compared with Valve's SteamOS, adding pressure in the optimization race.

SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system focused on running games. It is assessed to offer higher performance and more efficient memory management than Windows 11 in some gaming environments. A range of default applications and background services included in Windows 11 have long been cited by gamers as unnecessary drains on system resources.

Another variable is that Xbox Mode is still in the early stages of rollout. The feature is not yet readily available to all users and is accessible only in limited environments. TechRadar assessed the result by saying, "It looks like something in Xbox Mode has not been fully optimized."

The next key question is whether Microsoft can deliver real performance improvements. The industry is watching the possibility that Xbox Mode could evolve through updates to more aggressively reduce background processes and allocate more system resources to games.

Another factor is the growth of the Linux gaming ecosystem centered on SteamOS. Linux-based operating systems have been rapidly improving in game compatibility and performance. There is also a view that if anti-cheat support issues are resolved, more gamers could move to SteamOS.

The industry sees that if Microsoft fails to speed up optimization and improve access to Xbox Mode, it could face stronger pressure from Valve in competition among PC gaming platforms. However, because the results are based on a single benchmark test conducted in a specific environment, different outcomes remain possible depending on hardware configurations or game titles.