Windows’ new AI‑powered Smart App Control is breaking Armory Crate on the Xbox Ally — and handheld owners are fed up

Xbox Ally with sad face on the screen.

Another day, another Windows update breaking something it shouldn’t. This time, instead of power issues or black screen crashes, users who bought into the Xbox Ally lineup, or earlier ROG Ally devices, are being greeted with an “Oops!” moment as Armory Crate simply refuses to work.

For those unfamiliar, Armory Crate is ASUS’s companion software for the Xbox Ally and ROG Ally. It is used to manage performance profiles, system settings, and other essential features.