An upcoming Xbox app update will allow users to download and install games from the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass to any folder of their preferred folder without any restrictions. According to the latest report by The Verge, Microsoft is internally testing the changes that will be part of the Xbox app update for Windows.
The update will enable PC gamers to access the game folders and mod them freely while allowing Windows users to move the games freely to any folder or drive of their preferred choice. Through this, people can access the folders in which the games are saved, backup titles, and mod games on their PC. It will also allow users to move the games folder to various drives.
Currently, the Microsoft Store allows users to install games into the WindowsApps folder. The new Xbox app update from Microsoft provides an option for verifying and repairing files that can be further used for backing up games. Other new options include browsing areas where files are installed, changing the drive where games are installed, and curating custom folders for installs.
Partner Director of Experiences at Xbox, Jason Beaumont, stated, “With great PC games like Back 4 Blood, Age of Empires IV, Forza Horizon 5, and Halo Infinite on day one with Game Pass, we wanted to provide players with more options to customize their experience in the Xbox app. We’ll continue to share updates as we launch additional features.”
Other stores such as Steam allow PC owners to backup games—an option that is currently not available through the Microsoft Store. The Xbox app update will finally address a big pain point of installing games from Xbox Game Pass for PC, where players would run into issues with the Microsoft Store, the restricted WindowsApps folder, or just the inability to fully control where games were installed.
About the Xbox Game Pass:
The Xbox Game Pass is a video game subscription service from Microsoft that can be used with its Cbox Series X/S and Xbox One consoles, Windows 11 and Windows 10 including the Android and iOS devices via Xbox Cloud Gaming. The previous version restricted users from accessing the WindowsApp folder where the games were installed while limiting what people can do with the games file. The new update will reportedly allow users the freedom to access and alter the games folder without any further restrictions. While the Xbox app update is being tested internally at Microsoft, the company has not shared details or a timeline for when it will become available.
