Windows 11 25H2 Game Boost Update Enhances Handheld Gaming Performance

The Windows 11 November 2025 update from Microsoft has introduced several significant improvements intended to enhance the performance of gaming handheld devices, including popular models such as the ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and the newly launched Xbox Ally X.

According to tests conducted by Windows Latest, the update identified as Windows 11 KB5068861 (OS Builds 26200.7171 and 26100.7171) addresses critical issues related to battery drain while these devices are in low-power states, which is particularly beneficial for on-the-go gamers.

In addition, Microsoft has resolved a delay problem involving controller responsiveness in apps after signing in with the built-in Gamepad—a common inconvenience that lasted roughly five seconds. Furthermore, the recent update automates the process of hiding the touch keyboard after entering a PIN or password, adding to the overall user experience.

Challenges of Battery Life in Windows Gaming Handhelds

Since its introduction over two years ago, the ASUS ROG Ally has been particularly criticized for its disappointing battery life. Users soon discovered that the problems stemmed largely from Windows itself, which comes pre-installed with numerous applications not specifically tailored for gaming, including unnecessary software like Paint.

This standard Windows experience applies even to devices equipped with high-performance components such as the Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Extreme APUs paired with 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, leading to rapid battery consumption.

While most users accepted a battery life ranging between one to two hours, the major concern was associated with prolonged standby times, particularly in Sleep mode.

Users quickly connected the dots, recognizing that Windows inefficiencies contributed significantly to the problem.

Users complaining about the Sleep issue in Windows 11 in Gaming handhelds — Users voicing concerns over Sleep mode issues in Windows 11 for gaming handhelds.

The Lenovo Legion Go and MSI Claw, released shortly after the Ally, experienced similar battery and sleep-related issues.

Some users advocated for enabling Hibernate mode instead of Sleep, which has proven to alleviate battery drain during periods of inactivity.

While Sleep is designed to keep applications active in low-power mode, it does consume power and can lead to battery depletion over time. Hibernate, conversely, saves the entire session to the SSD and powers off the device, ceasing battery usage entirely though it does take longer to resume.

This setup leaves the default Sleep mode as the critical weak point for standby battery life, rendering these handhelds less practical for travel compared to their rivals.

The Enduring Popularity of Windows Gaming Handhelds

Despite the ongoing issues, Windows gaming handhelds have enjoyed commendable sales, particularly in the U. S.The ASUS ROG Ally sold approximately 500, 000 units within its first month of launch, and the Lenovo Legion Go also saw promising initial sales figures.

In contrast, the MSI Claw has struggled to capture market interest, facing challenges both in sales and game performance.

Following the Ally’s success, ASUS introduced the ROG Ally X, which features double the battery capacity (80Wh, up from 40Wh), 24GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. Despite the absence of an upgraded processor, this enhancement primarily targets the notorious battery life issues.

This strategic move reflects a growing awareness of users’ frustrations, contributing to the ASUS ROG Ally X becoming popular across various markets.

Still, the underlying issue of Windows’ suboptimal performance for handhelds persisted, especially in the face of the more than three-year-old Steam Deck, which continues to thrive and the recently launched Nintendo Switch 2 that is selling exceptionally well.

Both of these competitors leverage custom operating systems finely tuned to their respective device form factors, overshadowing the unrefined Windows experience encountered on modern handhelds.

Microsoft Introduces the Xbox Full Screen Experience

On October 16, 2025, ASUS unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally and the Ally X, incorporating Microsoft’s Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) tailored for Windows 11.

While expectations surrounded the devices featuring the same operating software as Xbox consoles, Microsoft opted to enhance the full Windows 11 interface with the Xbox FSE. Early reports indicate that the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has delivered improved performance and smoother gameplay compared to its traditional Windows UI counterpart.

This upgrade has exceeded initial expectations, leading to unexpected surges in demand for the ROG series. Latest reports suggest sales projections between $96 million and $160 million for the upcoming quarter as demand for the Xbox Ally X surpasses ASUS’s estimates, reflecting strong consumer interest.

Microsoft’s initiative to extend the Xbox Full Screen Experience to the MSI Claw via the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 has further solidified its commitment to addressing the unique limitations of handheld gaming hardware. Anticipation builds that other devices, like the Legion Go and offerings from AYANEO, may soon receive similar enhancements.

Further Enhancements from the November Update

Recognizing that the comprehensive Windows 11 experience presents challenges for gaming handhelds, Microsoft’s rollout of the Xbox FSE is a promising response.

Users have successfully integrated the Xbox Full Screen Experience on unsupported devices like the Lenovo Legion Go, reporting significant performance improvements. Nonetheless, concerns regarding battery drain during Sleep mode continue to be a widespread issue in Windows 11.

Fortunately, the November 2025 update aims to rectify these issues. According to Microsoft, the new update significantly reduces power consumption for devices in sleep mode, though specific mechanisms remain unclear. Analysts speculate it may involve decreasing power demand from high-speed RAM, which operates at 6400 MT/s in these handhelds.

Microsoft officially recorded the update’s functionalities:

“Fixed: This update addresses an issue that affects gaming handheld devices. These devices were unable to stay in low-power states, which caused faster battery drain. Fixed: This update addresses an issue on some handheld gaming devices where after signing in using the built-in Gamepad, the controller might not respond in apps for about five seconds, causing a delay. After you submit your password or PIN, the touch keyboard on the sign-in screen hides automatically.”

Initial testing of the Windows 11 25H2 update revealed satisfactory performance on standard PCs, although some users have experienced challenges with the installation of the KB5068861 update on the ROG Ally X.

This update also resolves the frustrating five-second lag observed after using the built-in gamepad. Previously, applications failed to respond immediately post-sign-in. The update ensures that the touch keyboard is properly concealed after entering the PIN.

With favorable feedback thus far, we recommend users with Windows gaming handhelds to install this latest update to see if it improves their experiences.

Source & Images