CouchMode

Knowledge hub

Windows couch gaming, explained without the filler.

Practical guides for controller-first sessions, TV setups, Steam Big Picture, Playnite, and docked Windows handhelds.

Playnite

Playnite

Launch Playnite Automatically When a Controller Connects

Start Playnite Fullscreen when a compatible controller connects to Windows. CouchMode Free keeps the controller-to-Playnite flow simple.

Updated Aug 24, 2026

Playnite

Playnite Is Open but the Controller Does Not Respond: Fullscreen Focus Explained

Understand why a visible Playnite window may not receive controller input, especially after it was already open or minimized.

Updated Aug 21, 2026

Steam Big Picture

Steam Big Picture

Start Steam Big Picture Automatically When a Controller Connects

Use a compatible controller connection to start Steam Big Picture without taking ownership of a Steam session that was already open.

Updated Aug 24, 2026

Windows Couch Gaming

Windows Couch Gaming

Change HDR, Display and Audio When a Controller Connects

Choose supported HDR, display and audio settings for a CouchMode gaming session, then restore only the settings CouchMode changed. Pro.

Updated Aug 24, 2026

Windows Couch Gaming

Close Selected Apps When Gaming Starts and Restore Your Desktop Afterward

Use CouchMode Pro Resource Control to close only the supported apps you select for a gaming session and optionally reopen them afterward.

Updated Aug 24, 2026

Windows Couch Gaming

How to Make a Windows 11 Gaming PC Feel More Like a Console

Build a controller-first Windows 11 living-room workflow with Xbox full-screen where available, Steam Big Picture, or Playnite.

Updated Aug 21, 2026

Windows Handhelds

Windows Handhelds

How to Use a Windows Handheld as a Docked Couch Gaming PC

Set up a docked Windows handheld for TV gaming with an external controller, practical launcher choices, and realistic compatibility checks.

Updated Aug 21, 2026