Microsoft has released a new Xbox app for Windows that greatly improves the process of installing games from the Windows store. The updated application allows PC gamers to install game files in any folder of their choice with unlimited access.
This innovation will be an option to help fix many of the problems created by installing games from Xbox Game Pass for PC. It also includes the innovations of backing up game files and restoring them if necessary. Previously, Microsoft was installing games in a WindowsApps folder in the root of a drive and locking that folder.
Game setups made easy with Xbox app for PC
The updated Xbox app now lets you choose a location, and you can move your existing games to secondary drives if you have them installed. We tested the app and were able to successfully migrate Forza Horizon 5 to the second drive. We now have full access to these files and folders as well.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 users can test the new Xbox app through the Xbox Insider Hub app from the store. To get the updated Xbox app, you need to join the “Windows Gaming” preview in the Xbox Insider Hub.
Also, you cannot add games downloaded from the Windows store to Steam. Because there is a permission problem that prevents this. The Xbox app is still in preview, so it may be a bug that will be fixed before it’s widely available.
With this innovation from Microsoft, Windows store game downloads are finally getting Steam-like after years of problems and bugs for PC users. If you’ve been avoiding Xbox Game Pass for PC because of the Windows store, this new Xbox app will take away some of the headaches involved.