Microsoft’s Gamepad Keyboard for Windows 11: Update and Current Status

Recently, Microsoft unveiled an innovative gamepad keyboard for Windows 11, aimed at enhancing text input efficiency for gamers. This feature enables users to navigate the on-screen keyboard using their gamepad, significantly speeding up the typing process. Following initial testing with Windows Insiders, the feature commenced a broader rollout for all Windows 11 users as part of the non-security update for the 24H2 version, which also addressed several existing bugs.

Unexpected Rollback of Gamepad Keyboard Feature

However, the initial excitement surrounding this new functionality was short-lived. Users quickly observed that Microsoft had discreetly removed references to the gamepad keyboard in the KB5044384 support article. Furthermore, individuals running Windows 11 version 24H2 lost access to the feature after the update.

Heads up: the new Gamepad keyboard layout isn’t rolling out to stable/retail anymore. It’s no longer mentioned in the release notes for KB5044384 (26100.2161) and KB5044380 (22631.4391), and is being disabled on devices with that update installed.

Microsoft’s Acknowledgment and Future Rollout Plans

Following the community’s discovery, Microsoft confirmed the suspension of the gamepad keyboard rollout in the release notes for build 22635.4400 from the Beta Channel. The company has indicated that the feature is expected to return shortly:

We have temporarily disabled the new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard in Windows 11 that began rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel with Build 22635.4145 to address some issues. This feature will be rolled out again in a future flight.

Additional Issues and Expected Fixes

In addition to the problems associated with the gamepad keyboard, Microsoft has notified users about a separate issue affecting the Task Manager. Some users reported seeing zero running applications and background processes after installing KB5044384. The good news is that Microsoft is working on a fix to resolve this inconvenience, though it may take some time before a solution is available. Importantly, other functionalities within the Task Manager remain unaffected.

For the latest updates and further information, please check the official source.