Lenovo confirmed on September 5, 2025 that owners of the Legion Go 2 will be able to switch the handheld into Microsoft’s new Xbox full-screen Windows experience in the spring 2026 timeframe, several months after the device’s October 2025 launch. The company says the option will be available as a manual user switch when Microsoft finishes the rollout.
Key Takeaways
- The Legion Go 2 is the first handheld outside of Asus confirmed to support Xbox full-screen Windows (Xbox FSE).
- Lenovo told The Verge buyers can manually switch the device to Xbox FSE in spring 2026.
- Asus will receive Xbox FSE earlier: co-launch with Xbox Ally and Ally X on October 16, 2025.
- Microsoft plans to expand FSE to other Ally devices after that initial launch.
- Xbox FSE aims to optimize memory and navigation for gamepad-first handheld use, based on early impressions.
Verified Facts
On , The Verge reported comments from a Lenovo spokesperson, Jeff Witt, confirming that the Legion Go 2 will support Microsoft’s full-screen Xbox Windows mode. Witt said the capability will arrive in a spring 2026 timeframe and will be selectable by users after the update is released.
The Legion Go 2 itself is scheduled to ship in October 2025; Asus will co-launch the Xbox-enabled Ally models on , when Xbox FSE will appear on those new devices. Microsoft has said its next focus after that launch will be rolling the experience out to the original Asus ROG Ally and Ally X.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| The Verge report citing Lenovo | September 5, 2025 |
| Lenovo Legion Go 2 shipping | October 2025 |
| Asus Xbox Ally / Ally X launch with Xbox FSE | October 16, 2025 |
| Lenovo says Xbox FSE available for Legion Go 2 | Spring 2026 (timeframe) |
Context & Impact
Xbox full-screen Windows is designed to present a simplified, gamepad-friendly Windows shell that reduces background resource use and emphasizes full-screen, controller-driven navigation. Early demonstrations have shown smaller memory footprints compared with a full desktop session, which could help frugal handheld hardware run games more smoothly.
For handheld makers, offering an Xbox-mode option widens the audience for Windows devices that are primarily used for gaming. If Lenovo enables a user switch to FSE, owners could choose the traditional desktop for productivity and a lighter, controller-optimized mode for gaming sessions.
Wider adoption of FSE across multiple OEM handhelds could pressure other vendors to prioritize power- and memory-efficient modes, and could influence software developers to test titles in both desktop and FSE contexts.
Official Statements
Lenovo confirmed that Legion Go 2 buyers will be able to manually switch the handheld to the Xbox full-screen Windows experience when Microsoft’s update is ready in spring 2026.
Lenovo spokesperson Jeff Witt, as reported to The Verge
Unconfirmed
- Whether Xbox FSE on the Legion Go 2 will be preinstalled or delivered only as an optional update at launch.
- Exact performance and battery-life improvements on the Legion Go 2 compared with the device running standard Windows.
- Any additional Lenovo-specific optimizations or restrictions for FSE beyond Microsoft’s baseline implementation.
Bottom Line
Lenovo’s confirmation that the Legion Go 2 will support Xbox full-screen Windows in spring 2026 gives owners a promised pathway to a controller-first Windows experience months after the handheld ships. The rollout timing aligns with Asus and Microsoft’s staged launches and could broaden the appeal of Windows handhelds if FSE delivers meaningful efficiency gains.