OmniConsole is a versatile shell for Windows 11 Xbox Mode (FSE), designed to enhance gaming experiences on PCs and handheld devices like the ROG Xbox Ally X. It serves as a customizable home screen, integrating seamlessly with popular platforms such as Steam Big Picture, Xbox App, Epic Games Store, Armoury Crate SE, and Playnite Fullscreen.
Key Features:
Automatic Platform Launch: Configured gaming platforms launch automatically when Xbox Mode (FSE) activates.
Multi-Platform Support: Built-in support for major gaming ecosystems with options to add custom platforms via Protocol URI or executable paths.
Gamepad Compatibility: Intuitive navigation using D-Pad, Left Stick, A/B/X/Y buttons, and LB/RB for tab switching.
Game Bar Integration: Access your gaming platform via the "Home" button in Game Bar and customize settings through the "Library" option.
Nekomata Mapping: Custom per-app gamepad remapping to optimize input for individual applications.
OmniCharm Widget: In-game shortcuts for Steam, Task View, and Xbox Library, with customizable mouse mode settings.
Audience & Benefit:
Ideal for PC gamers seeking a tailored gaming experience on Windows 11. OmniConsole offers enhanced customization, seamless integration across platforms, and improved gamepad functionality, making it perfect for both desktop and handheld users.
Install via winget to enjoy this powerful tool designed to elevate your gaming setup.
OmniConsole serves as your Windows 11 Xbox Mode (FSE) Home shell on PCs and handhelds (ROG Xbox Ally X, etc.), with an OmniCharm Game Bar widget, Mouse Mode, Steam shortcuts, and Nekomata per-app gamepad mapping so everything stays on the gamepad.
Whenever Xbox Mode (FSE) activates, OmniConsole launches your configured gaming platform. Any platform can be your Xbox Mode (FSE) Home — Steam, Xbox, Epic, Armoury Crate SE, Playnite, or anything you add.
On boot: With "Enter Xbox mode (FSE) on startup" enabled, your gaming platform launches automatically at boot.
During use: Press the Xbox button, then select "Home" in Game Bar to launch your gaming platform, or "Library" to open OmniConsole Settings.
✨ Features
Automatic platform launch – Your configured gaming platform launches automatically whenever Xbox Mode (FSE) activates.
Automatic Xbox Mode (FSE) entry – When you launch OmniConsole outside Xbox Mode (FSE) (e.g., from the Start Menu), it automatically triggers the Xbox Mode (FSE) entry dialog.
Multi-platform support – Built-in support for , , , , and .
Custom platform support (experimental) – Add your own platforms via Protocol URI, executable path, or Packaged App (MSIX / APPX), with an optional card cover image. Launch arguments are available when using the executable path type.
Platform import & export – Share custom platform configurations as JSON. Right-click or long-press a card to export; use the Import button to import shared configurations.
Gamepad-compatible file picker – A custom-built file picker that replaces the system FileOpenPicker (which does not support gamepad input), letting you browse for executables and cover images with a controller. A "Browse (Windows)" button is also available for users who prefer the system file picker.
Card-grid settings UI – Large icon cards designed for large-screen and handheld use, operable with mouse, touch, or Xbox controller.
Game Bar integration – Game Bar's "Home" button launches your gaming platform; "Library" opens OmniConsole Settings.
Troubleshoot page – A dedicated page for Xbox Mode (FSE) recovery: restarts Game Bar to fix issues such as the "Restart for better performance" dialog not appearing, then enters Xbox Mode (FSE).
Environment snapshot – An "About" page that captures your system, hardware, and OmniConsole health status, with one-click copy as a Markdown report for easy bug reporting.
Gamepad support – Navigate with D-Pad or Left Stick; A to confirm, B to exit, LB/RB to switch category tabs, Y to add a custom platform, X to edit, and Menu (☰) to set the focused platform as default and launch it immediately (when running inside Xbox Mode (FSE)).
Gamepad Mouse Mode – Use your gamepad as a mouse and keyboard. Three modes: Off, Auto (browsers, File Explorer, Steam, Epic Games Store, Discord), and Force On (all apps except an exclusion list). Cursor speed is adjustable, with two controller layouts to choose from: OmniNav and Classic.
OmniCharm widget – A Game Bar widget for in-game quick access. Open Task View, the Xbox Library, or the Steam Overlay in one tap; toggle Gamepad Mouse Mode, controller layout, cursor speed, and the Steam In-Game Overlay (long-press ☰).
Nekomata — custom per-app gamepad mapping – Nekomata weaves a charm for each app, remapping every XInput input (A/B/X/Y, LB/RB, LT/RT, LS/RS, D-pad, both sticks) to a keyboard key, modifier combo, mouse button, scroll wheel, cursor movement, scrolling, arrow keys, or WASD. Each app's charm can also prevent double input by blocking the app's own native XInput and DirectInput signals to keep them from interfering with the remapped keyboard and mouse. Open the editor from the OmniCharm widget's "Customize gamepad mapping for this app…" button.
Gamepad Steam shortcuts – The gamepad ⧉ button controls Steam Big Picture shortcuts: short press opens the Steam Menu, long press opens the Quick Access Menu. Long press ☰ in-game to open the Steam In-Game Overlay.
Dedicated Settings entry – A separate "OmniConsole Settings" entry in All Apps lets you change your default platform anytime.
Native Xbox Mode (FSE) integration – Registered as a Windows 11 Xbox Mode (FSE) Home App through the official API.
In-app updates – Automatic checks for the latest GitHub releases, with download and install built into the Advanced settings page.
Multilingual UI – English, Traditional Chinese (繁體中文), and Simplified Chinese (简体中文).
Community languages – On the Advanced settings page, click Manage next to Community Languages to browse, download, and update community-contributed languages for both the main app and the OmniCharm widget at once. They stay up to date automatically across versions.
⚙️ Prerequisites
OmniConsole requires the Full Handheld edition of Xbox Mode (FSE). Microsoft is gradually rolling out a Limited PC edition to regular PCs — use Xbox Full Screen Experience Tool (XFSET) to switch to the Full Handheld edition.
Desktops, Laptops, Tablets & Handhelds without the Full Handheld edition: Run XFSET first.
Native Handheld Devices (e.g., ROG Xbox Ally series): Already on the Full Handheld edition — install OmniConsole directly.
Xbox Controller Required: Game Bar, Xbox Mode (FSE), and all gamepad features require an Xbox-compatible (XInput) controller with an Xbox button.
Extract the OmniConsole_*_x64.zip file and run Install.bat. It will enable Developer Mode, install the certificate, install any missing framework dependencies, and install both MSIX packages automatically.
Option B: Manual Install
[Critical] Go to Windows Settings → System → Advanced and enable Developer Mode.
[Critical] Double-click the .cer file → click Install Certificate → Store Location: Local Machine → Place all certificates in the following store → Browse → select Trusted People → Finish.
(Optional — only needed on fresh/offline systems; online systems fetch these automatically) Double-click each file inside Dependencies\ to install the bundled framework packages (skip any that report an equal or newer version already installed).
Double-click OmniConsole_*_x64.msix to install the main app.
Double-click OmniConsole.PhantomLink_*_x64-widget.msix to install the OmniCharm widget.
2. Configure Your Default Platform
OmniConsole will present the Settings UI on first launch or after app updates. You can also open it manually anytime from the Start Menu:
Open "OmniConsole Settings" from the Start Menu (All Apps).
Select your preferred gaming platform from the card grid using a mouse, touch, or Xbox controller (D-Pad/Left Stick to navigate in all four directions, A to confirm):
Steam Big Picture
Xbox App
Epic Games Store
Armoury Crate SE
Playnite Fullscreen
Your selection is saved automatically. Press B on your controller or click/press Exit to finish.
3. [Critical] Set as Xbox Mode (FSE) Home App
Go to Windows Settings → Gaming → Xbox mode (FSE).
Set "Choose home app" to OmniConsole.
Enable "Enter Xbox mode (FSE) on startup".
4. Done!
Your gaming platform now launches via any of these entry points:
Game Bar: Press the Xbox button, then select "Home" to launch your gaming platform, or "Library" to open OmniConsole Settings.
Boot: Enable "Enter Xbox mode (FSE) on startup" for automatic launch at boot.
Start Menu: Launch OmniConsole directly to automatically activate Xbox Mode (FSE).
5. Updating OmniConsole
Already have OmniConsole installed? Update from within OmniConsole Settings:
Open OmniConsole Settings, then go to ☰ → Advanced.
Click Check for Updates, then Download & Install. OmniConsole downloads the new version and installs it for you.
🔄 How to Revert
> ⚠️ Change the Xbox Mode (FSE) Home App setting before uninstalling OmniConsole. If OmniConsole is removed while it is still set as the Xbox Mode (FSE) Home App, Windows Task View will stop working on some builds. This is a bug in Windows itself.
Go to Windows Settings → Gaming → Xbox mode (FSE).
Set "Choose home app" to Xbox or None.
Right-click OmniConsole in the Start Menu and select Uninstall, or go to Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps to uninstall it.
Go to Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps and uninstall OmniCharm (the widget does not appear in the Start Menu).
🛠️ Troubleshooting
If you run into issues caused by a Windows bug, such as Game Bar failing to open or the "Restart for better performance" dialog not appearing when entering Xbox Mode (FSE):
Open OmniConsole Settings from the Start Menu.
Navigate to the Troubleshoot tab using the left menu.
Click the "Run" button next to "Restart Game Bar & Enter Xbox Mode (FSE)". This restarts Game Bar and enters Xbox Mode (FSE); once Game Bar is restarted, the dialog appears as expected.
🔐 Verifying Your Installation
The only official sources for OmniConsole are the GitHub releases and the official website. If you obtained OmniConsole from anywhere else, you should verify the build is genuine. See AUTHENTICITY.md for the official certificate thumbprint and verification steps.
