Microsoft develops Windows version optimized for handheld gaming consoles, according to leaked video

The videos show the developers discussing the growing market for handheld gaming PCs and their own efforts to get Windows to work well in a handheld format.

They worked with a separate community of developers to create Steam Deck controls for Windows and showed how they could get Windows to run with a custom UI inside Valve’s popular handheld. The developers also created a quick launcher for users to navigate between an app store and the games themselves.

The presentation mentions that a minimum product would need a suitable touch keyboard, UI scaling, control mapping, and a "robust launcher" for quickly accessing games. The developers believe that a Windows gaming experience dialed-in to handhelds represents a new revenue stream, as well as being a goodwill gesture to the PC gaming community.

Despite speculation that Microsoft may eventually release a handheld console, so far the company has not announced any plans to do so.