CouchMode

Controller-first gaming utility for Windows.

Public beta in preparation

Turn your gaming PC into couch mode.

Turn on your controller and CouchMode opens your chosen launcher, then brings your desktop back when the controller turns off.

Download opening soonView Pro features
CouchMode · General
CouchMode General controller and launcher settings.
CouchMode Resource Control application cleanup settings.
CouchMode Session Tweaks performance and Windows settings.

The gap

Windows works.
It just wasn't built for the couch.

Your desktop is fine at a desk. From the couch, tiny text, mouse-first menus, and background apps get in the way of a proper gaming session. CouchMode bridges the gap without replacing Windows or taking over your PC.

  • Designed for 10-foot viewing

    Desktop UI is built for arms-length. From the couch, everything's too small.

  • Controller-first, keyboard-free

    Standard Windows doesn't take you into a controller-native experience automatically.

  • Leaves your setup intact

    Most workarounds change your settings and forget to put them back.

How it works

From controller to couch in seconds.

Four steps, two of them automatic. Free covers the basic session flow. Pro adds deeper automation during the trial or once Pro is active.

  1. STEP 01

    Turn on your controller

    Wake your Xbox or compatible controller. CouchMode can listen in the background and start your couch session automatically.

    Auto-detected · No app to open

  2. STEP 02

    CouchMode opens your chosen launcher

    Use Xbox where supported, Steam Big Picture, Playnite, or a custom launcher.

    Free · Depends on Windows support

  3. STEP 03

    Pro sets the scene

    Pro can close the desktop apps you select (Resource Control) and apply the session settings you choose - notifications, Game Bar recording, visual effects, Game Mode, power plan, HDR, display, and audio - then restore them afterward.

    Pro · 7-day trial in app

  4. STEP 04

    Your desktop comes back when you're done

    When the controller turns off, CouchMode exits the session and restores the changes it made.

    Free + Pro · Session restore

A closer look

More of the Pro settings, straight from the app.

These are real CouchMode screens, not mockups. Select any screen to view it larger.

Free vs Pro

Free for the essentials. Pro for deeper automation.

CouchMode’s core session flow is free. Pro adds launcher selection, Resource Control for selected apps, Session Tweaks, and exact restore of your Windows settings for supporters.

Free

$0forever

Core controller-first session flow.

  • Start from your controller
  • Xbox flow where supported
  • Start with Windows
  • Basic session exit
  • Language and theme
Included in Free
7-day in-app trial

Pro

Everything in Free, plus deeper automation.

CouchMode manages the session it starts, then restores the desktop changes it made.

  • Launcher selection (Xbox, Steam Big Picture, Playnite, or a custom launcher)
  • Resource Control for apps you select
  • Session Tweaks: notifications, Game Bar recording, visual effects, Game Mode, power plan, HDR, display, and audio
  • Desktop snapshot and exact restore
  • Restores your previous Windows settings when the session ends
  • Up to 2 active Windows devices with Pro
  • Up to 5 active Windows devices with Pro Supporter
Get Pro with Patreon

Pro access requires an active Patreon membership after the trial. Pro is $3/month and includes 2 active Windows devices. Pro Supporter is $5/month and includes 5 active Windows devices.

Ready to make your PC couch-native?

Start with a 7-day in-app Pro trial. No account or credit card required.

Check release statusConnect Patreon in the app
Direct downloadNot open yetMicrosoft StorePlannedSteamPlannedWindows 11 · 64-bit

Built for handheld Xbox Mode: on supported handhelds such as ROG Ally, CouchMode can start inside Windows Xbox Mode, adopt the full-screen session, apply supported session settings, and restore your desktop when the controller turns off. Xbox Mode is provided by Windows and Microsoft; availability and behavior depend on your device, Windows version, Xbox app support, and Microsoft rollout.

Questions

Built for the way PC players actually start a couch session.

CouchMode is designed for Windows PCs connected to a TV, couch, or controller-first setup. These answers explain what it can start, what it can automate, and what depends on Windows support.

CouchMode is a controller-first gaming utility for Windows. It starts a couch gaming session when your controller connects, opens your chosen launcher, and restores the changes it made when the session ends.

No. CouchMode is not a launcher or shell replacement. It prepares sessions around Windows and your existing gaming frontends.

Only what you enable: it can enter the Xbox full screen experience or open your chosen launcher, and with Pro it can close the desktop apps you select (Resource Control) and apply supported session settings you choose - notifications, Game Bar recording, visual effects, Game Mode, power plan, HDR, display, and audio. It snapshots your setup first and restores the changes it made when the session ends. Services, elevated apps, and protected system components may remain.

With Pro Resource Control, you can choose selected desktop apps to close around a session and reopen them afterward. Services, elevated apps, protected system components, and some apps that relaunch themselves may remain.

With Pro, choose Steam Big Picture, Playnite, LaunchBox, GOG Galaxy, or another compatible launcher. Free keeps the default Xbox full-screen flow where supported.

Yes. Playnite can be used as a launch target with Pro. CouchMode is designed to work around existing launchers rather than replace them.

CouchMode can help start and manage Windows Xbox Mode where Windows provides it. Otherwise CouchMode can open the Xbox app normally. Xbox Mode availability depends on Windows version, device support, Xbox app support, region, and Microsoft rollout status.

If Windows Xbox full-screen is not available on your device, CouchMode can open the Xbox app normally instead. Xbox full-screen availability depends on Windows, the Xbox app, the device, and Microsoft rollout.

Supported handheld behavior is a focus, including Xbox Mode startup companion support. Actual behavior depends on Windows and Xbox app support.

On supported handhelds, CouchMode can use an admin-approved scheduled task to start inside Windows Xbox Mode. Normal desktop startup remains separate.

Not for the in-app trial. The in-app Pro trial does not require an account or credit card. Ongoing Pro access is handled through Patreon and requires an active Patreon membership.

After the in-app trial, connect Patreon to keep Pro active. Pro is $3/month and includes 2 active Windows devices. Pro Supporter is $5/month and includes 5 active Windows devices.

Pro features return to Free after an entitlement refresh, and the core Free flow remains available.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F12 while the problem is still visible. CouchMode saves a snapshot of the current window state to its own file in %APPDATA%\CouchMode, alongside app.log. It changes nothing on screen, and it works whether or not debug logging is turned on. Nothing is uploaded automatically: the file stays on your PC, and you choose what to send. Attach it, and app.log, when you contact support.

No. CouchMode does not promise FPS gains. With Pro it can reduce session clutter (close selected apps) and apply supported session settings such as Windows Game Mode and a high-performance power plan, then restore them when the session ends.