Build 0.28.6.4

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.6.4

Highlights

• Performance and startup improvements: Several targeted optimizations reduce startup time and runtime overhead. JIT compilation for loops is now faster on startup, and GC scaling behavior has been tuned to avoid stalls when the app wakes from idle. A handful of hot code paths also received aggressive inlining for better runtime throughput.
• UI and library experience: The Library has received a round of focused improvements: games now load asynchronously so the UI stays responsive, a new All Wide view mode has been added, missing artwork is now surfaced clearly with a dedicated UI element, and hovering a game now shows a quick Play/Stop button. Logo selection is now available in the artwork picker, and navigation debouncing prevents visual noise when moving through pages quickly.
• Navigation and profiles: Gamepad and keyboard navigation has been improved with better control target logic and additional default button assignments. Hotkey settings have been moved to their own dedicated page, which also meaningfully reduces the loading time for that section. The Profiles page received several usability improvements.

What Changed

Performance

• Optimized build output to skip copying unchanged 3D model files.
• Enabled TieredCompilationQuickJitForLoops for faster startup.
• Tuned GarbageCollectionAdaptationMode to prevent GC stalls on app wake.
• Applied AggressiveInlining to several performance-sensitive code paths.
• Miscellaneous performance and stability improvements throughout.

UI/UX

• Added a MissingArtwork UI element for games without artwork.
• Improved Library metadata and artwork refresh logic to preserve existing visuals and fill in missing ones.
• Implemented Logo selection in the artwork/library picker.
• Added All Wide as a new Library view mode.
• Games in the Library now display asynchronously.
• Play/Stop button now appears on mouse hover over library items.
• Migrated Hotkey settings to a dedicated page, reducing Hotkeys page load time.
• Implemented UI navigation debouncing (300ms) to smooth out rapid page transitions.
• Improved gamepad navigation with better control target logic.
• Added missing DefaultButton assignments for keyboard navigation.
• Improved Profiles page behavior.

Fixes

• Fixed a timeout issue in ForegroundCallback() when task.Wait() would expire.
• Fixed QuickTools failing to create and apply profiles with per-game mode enabled.
• Fixed a UI freeze when an SDL controller GameType could not be retrieved.
• Fixed controller passthrough being incorrectly enabled on the default profile.
• Fixed SDL controller glyph logic.
• Fixed a memory leak originating from LibreHardwarePlatform.
• Fixed Hotkey chord listening button staying toggled after gamepad press.

Controller

• Implemented partial vJoy support.

Device

• Fixed IMU axis configuration for GPD Win 5, Win Max 2, and Win Mini.

Library updates

• SDL3 3.4.2
• SDL3-CS 3.4.2

Installer

• gamecontrollerdb.txt is now downloaded automatically during installation.

Build 0.28.4.6

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.4.6

Hotfixes

• Fixed an issue preventing CPU data from being read due to outdated LibreHardwareMonitor library and recent PawnIO update.
• Fixed an issue with PawnIO implementation due to lack of PCI Mutex.
• Fixed an issue causing TDPOverride values to be set to 0, potentially causing major stability and performance issues.

Build 0.28.4.5

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.4.5

Highlights

• WinRing0/RyzenAdj to PawnIO (AMD power path): All AMD power manipulation (TDP, CPU clock frequency, GPU frequency, Curve Optimizer) has been moved off WinRing0/RyzenAdj and onto PawnIO. This should prevent any future Windows Defender warnings and make the whole stack more robust and cooperative with anti-cheat systems going forward.

• Extra buttons on SDL controllers: We’ve updated the SDL controller database and added support for paddles and miscellaneous buttons on any SDL-supported controller. If your pad exposes extra buttons through SDL, HC can now see and bind them.

Hotfixes

• 0.28.4.3b: Fixed a regression with keyboard based OEM buttons.

• 0.28.4.4: Fixed support for PawnIO version 2.1.0.0.

• 0.28.4.5: Fixed simultaneous support for PawnIO versions 2.0.1.0 and 2.1.0.0.

Power & Dependencies

Please let us know if you notice any regressions or improvements on TDP manipulation (all devices) or Curve Optimizer (AMD specific).

PawnIO-based power path

We’ve replaced the RyzenAdj and WinRing0 dependencies with PawnIO for AMD power manipulation, covering:

• TDP control

• CPU clock frequency

• GPU frequency

• AMD voltage curve (Curve Optimizer)

This is aimed at eliminating WinRing0-related issues and Defender warnings, and giving us a cleaner, more maintainable power path going forward.

TDP handling improvements

• Improved overall TDP management so requested values are properly (re)applied instead of occasionally "sticking".

Controllers & Input

• Improved SDL controllers support with an updated the gamecontroller database (12/02/2025) and support for paddles and miscellaneous buttons from generic SDL controllers.

• Legion Go 2: M1 and Page/Desktop buttons are now properly integrated into the device mapping.

UI/UX & OSD

• On-screen display / RTSS: Added an RTSS frame graph to the on-screen display, giving you a clearer view of frame pacing and performance (thanks to @ltchipotle).

Navigation & interaction

• You can now use the gamepad left joystick for UI navigation.

• Miscellaneous tweaks and improvements to the Layout page for a smoother configuration experience.

Settings & window behavior

• New setting: Fullscreen on launch. ALT+ENTER now toggles the main window between windowed and fullscreen states.
• New setting: Show splash-screen at startup if you like the visual cue when HC launches.

QuickTools

• Added an "Exit HC" button to the QuickTools navigation bar to cleanly close Handheld Companion without having to fight against Windows task-tray icon.

Stability & Fixes

• Fixed an issue where Configurable TDP up/down could be set to 0, forcing TDP to an abnormally low value.
• Fixed AMD-specific Curve Optimizer availability checks so the feature is only exposed when supported.
• Fixed AMD integer scaling registry check/override by matching the currently active GPU while also making the integer scaling dropdown selection more robust.
• Fixed an issue preventing some inputs from being captured when the controller polling rate was set to 250 Hz and above.
• Fixed Legion Go 2 M1 button behavior, so the button now works as expected.
• Fixed a crash when failing to open the ONEXPLAYER serial port.
• Fixed a crash on null selectedProfile when navigating to the power profile page.

Library Updates

• SDL3
• LibreHardwareMonitor
• Sentry
• Microsoft.Xaml.Behaviors.Wpf
• System.Drawing.Common
• System.IO.Ports
• System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController
• System.Text.Json

Special thanks to

@ltchipotle for his support on WinRing0 migration

Release Build 0.28.3.3

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.3.3

Highlights

• UI/UX overhaul (Profiles + Layout): Redesigned pages for simpler navigation and reduced loading times, plus improved controller-first navigation across the app.
• NavigationView improvements: Main window navigation is now horizontal (use L1/R1), and embedded NavigationViews (as seen on the Layout page) now support L2/R2 navigation.
• Update interval (advanced latency tuning): New setting for advanced users to manipulate the controller update rate. Default is now 125 Hz (8 ms) instead of 100 Hz (10 ms), with options up to 1000 Hz (1 ms).
• Controller order management (better out-of-the-box experience): Controller order adjustment is now manual by default, with clear UI feedback (toast + icon) if your virtual controller is not on slot 1—helping avoid “why is my controller unresponsive?” situations.

UI/UX improvements

• Profiles page: Full UI refresh aimed at faster load and simpler day-to-day navigation.
• Layout page: Revamped layout experience and navigation, including easier access to advanced action configuration.
• Controller management UI polish: Controller management should behave the same as before, but now includes clearer interface text and notifications (updated across all supported languages), and a more understandable user flow around controller order and slot state.
• Quality-of-life: Added a library shortcut to edit controller layout when pressing the X button.

NavigationView controls:

• Main window: L1/R1 navigation (horizontal logic).
• Embedded views (Layout page): L2/R2 navigation.

Update interval (advanced latency tuning)

We’re adding a new setting for advanced users who want to manipulate the controller update rate. The new default is 125 Hz (8 ms), replacing the previous 100 Hz (10 ms).

Available options:

• 125 Hz ≈ 8.00 ms: very common for Xbox/XInput-class wireless + many older controllers
• 250 Hz ≈ 4.00 ms: very common for PlayStation over USB, and many wired third-party pads
• 500 Hz ≈ 2.00 ms: less common; some wireless/dongle implementations
• 1000 Hz ≈ 1.00 ms: common on competitive/PC-focused wired pads; some dongles

Higher rates may slightly increase CPU usage, but the goal is to give latency-focused users a straightforward, supported way to tune responsiveness.

Stability & Fixes

• Fixed a crash when calling ControllerManager.GetDefault().
• Fixed a crash when cloning an unsynced Layout (Clone()).
• Fixed SensorsManager suspend/resume handling across sleep.
• Fixed a race-condition crash in TimerManager.
• GPD Win 5: Added OEM buttons mapping support.

Library updates

• SDL: updated gamecontrollerdb and SDL 3.3.6.

Special thanks to

• @P3P0 (new layout functions + layout UI revamp)
• @mistakeplays (support to validate and land proper GPD Win 5 mapping)

Full Changelog: 0.28.3.1...0.28.3.3

Release Build 0.28.3.1

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.3.1

Highlights

• Voltage control (AMD & Intel): Implemented proper voltage control for both AMD and Intel devices.

- AMD: Works on all 4000-series SKUs and below. From the 5000-series onward, voltage control only works on Ryzen 9 or HX SKUs.
- Intel: Works as expected.

• Layout Editor upgrades: More reliable toggles and new automation options. Toggle state is now shared and matches the real status, action bindings can be delayed, and shift actions now support triggers (by @pepordev).
• Improved sleep behavior: Added Enhanced sleep to optimize modern sleep power policies, plus Go back to sleep to automatically send the device back to sleep when it wakes for reasons other than the power button (ported from SuspendedNTime by @BassemMohsen).
• Improved FSE support: HC main window and quick tools window will now properly be recognized and manipulated by FSE task manager.

Device & Controller Support

SuiPlay

• 0X1: Implemented device support for SuiPlay 0X1 (MYSTEN LABS, INC.).

GPD

• Win 5: Updated device max TDP to 85W and fixed gyrometer support.
• Win Mini (8840U, HX370 models): Fixed gyrometer support.
• Win Max (HX370): Fixed gyrometer support.
• AYANEO (all devices): Improved LED control (by @GopherTheCoder).

UI & Experience

Hotkeys

• New command: Controller status (Connected / Disconnected).
• New command: PowerShellCommands (execute multiline script content).
• UI: Ask before deleting hotkeys (confirmation prompt).

Layout Editor

• New layout action: Absolute mouse position.
• Added new action modifier key: LWin.
• Added support for shift combinations (by @pepordev).

Power & Process Handling

EnhancedSleep & ReSleep

• Ported Enhanced sleep, which optimizes modern sleep power policies.
• Ported Go back to sleep, which puts the device back to sleep when wake source is not the power button.

Stability & Fixes

• Fixed: AMD Adrenalin library (ADLX) NET10 support.
• Fixed: An edge case where profile's actions could end up with Turbo and Toggle enabled simultaneously.
• Fixed: Layout editor input duration slider not displayed.
• Fixed: Layout editor shift logic.
• Fixed: A rare crash when editing a layout.
• Fixed: Charge bypass logic for AYANEO Legacy and Modern device families.
• Fixed: AYANEO Air Plus EC logic.
• Fixed: An issue where the plugged controller wouldn't behave properly after a power cycling.
• Fixed: A rare crash on HotkeyViewModel where Hotkey command buttonflags would be null.
• Fixed: Creating a profile for explorer.exe will no longer try and get an artwork and proper name for it.

Library updates

• SDL3
• LibreHardwareMonitor
• RAMSPDToolkit-NDD

Special thanks to

• @pepordev (shared toggle state, delayed actions, shift triggers)
• @GopherTheCoder (AYANEO LED control fix)
• @BassemMohsen (EnhancedSleep / ReSleep port)

Build 0.28.2.3

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.2.3

Stability & Fixes

• Fixed an issue with ADLX_Probe, preventing AMD Graphics Settings from being available.
• Removed maximum configurable TDP limit on Device page.

Build 0.28.1.6

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.1.6 - Hotfix

Fixes

• Fixed crashes on a few devices (ONEX) due to incorrect OnScreenKeyboard device hotkeys

Build 0.28.1.5

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.1.5 - Hotfix

Fixes

• Fixed crashes on a few devices (GPD, AOKZOE and ONEX) due to missing UseOpenLib declarations

Build 0.28.0.0

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.28.0.0 - Gotta Go fast

Thanks to our audacious members, we have been able to accelerate the cycle of detecting and resolving issues, allowing us to devote time to improving performance and reducing CPU usage. In case you missed it, ⁠nightly-builds are now available roughly every few days to early adopters. With 0.28.0.0 we also added a workaround to the Windows Defender “Trojan:Win32/Vigorf.A” alert (WinRing0) issue by adding the affected files to Windows Defender exceptions list.

Improvements

Performance

• Reduced CPU usage across all action classes (Button, Axis, Triggers, Mouse, Keyboard, Gyro) and state classes (Button, Axis, Gyro).
• Reduced CPU usage when using Ambilight LED mode.
• Faster sleep resume: HC should resume components on system resume even if session is locked.

Device/Controller handling

• Reworked device/controller arrival–removal queuing and concurrency for HID/XInput.
• Per-device default hotkeys are created on first initialization.
• GuideCommands hotkey was replaced by ButtonCommands, allowing mapping to any gamepad button, not just Xbox Guide.

Navigation & UI

• Gamepad navigation refined across the app; main window A/B flow feels more natural.
• QuickTools: remembers last focused item, no longer targets the AppBarButton first, L1/R1 auto-enter the page, and L1/R1 now cycle within menu items.
• QuickTools Home & Applications UI refreshed.
• Layout Manager UI now uses SettingsExpander and SettingsCard components.

Profiles & Power

• New profiles inherit all buttons/axes by default, including OEM buttons (OEM set to Inherit).
• Users can now edit default power profiles.
• When launching a game from HC, HC waits longer for the profile-related executable to appear before minimizing itself.
• Revised Mouse actions acceleration logic, adding velocity memory logic.

Platforms & Devices

• Improved EA Desktop library support.
• ONEXPLAYER X1 (8840U) recognized with ProductName ONEXPLAYER X1z.
• (Tentative) ROG Ally PerformanceMode & AsusFan behavior improvements.

Setup

• Installer adds WinRing0x64.sys and HandheldCompanion.sys to Microsoft Defender exclusions.

Bugfixes

• Hotkeys: duplication on migration resolved; regression from ButtonState logic fixed.
• Legion Go S: fixed swapped LegionR/LegionL buttons.
• ZOTAC Gaming Zone: VRAM control fixed.
• ROG Ally: Xbox Adaptive Controller support fixed; fan & power management corrected.
• Profiles: version check that excluded profiles fixed; duplication when a library import finds multiple executables fixed; updates during resolution/refresh changes stabilized.
• QuickTools: transparency no longer lost after moving the window.
• Commands: GameBarCommands & DesktopCommands now work correctly.
• Controllers: tentative phantom-controller filtering; prevented SDL from randomly taking over XInput.
• Mapping/Input: button→trigger layout mapping fixed; gamepad input injection from hotkeys on dummy controllers fixed; OEM buttons now correctly inherit default layout.
• Dependencies: missing YamlDotNet library fixed.
• Events/Concurrency: asynchronous HID/XInput event handling issues fixed.
• Stability: rare UI rendering freeze fixed.

Full Changelog: 0.27.0.7...0.28.0.0

Build 0.27.0.7

Handheld Companion – Release Notes

0.27.0.7 - Hotfix

Bugfixes

• Fixed: Compiling issues
• Fixed: Controller management issues
• Fixed: WMI TDP Method on AMD based devices
• Fixed: InputsManager incorrect IsMapped check

Full Changelog: 0.27.0.6...0.27.0.7