The simplest way to play Xbox games on your PC

You can play Xbox games on your PC through Xbox App, which is built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. The app connects to your Xbox console wirelessly over your home network, or streams games directly from Microsoft's servers if you have Xbox Game Pass for PC. You do not need to buy the games twice — your existing Xbox library works on PC through this same app.

The connection process takes about five minutes and requires only your Microsoft account, your home Wi-Fi network, and both devices in the same room during setup. After that, you can play from anywhere in your house.

Key Takeaways

  • Xbox App on Windows 10 or 11 connects wirelessly to your console over your home network, letting you play your existing games on PC.
  • You need a Microsoft account on both your PC and Xbox, and both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • The first time you connect, both devices should be in the same room so the app can find your console automatically.
  • After setup, you can stream games from your console to your PC from anywhere in your house, or play Game Pass games directly on PC without the console.

What you need before you start

Check that your PC is running Windows 10 or Windows 11. Open Settings, then go to System > About and look for the Windows version number. If you have an older version of Windows, you will need to update your operating system first — this is free through Windows Update.

You also need a Microsoft account on both your PC and your Xbox console. If you do not have one, you can create it for free at account.microsoft.com. The account does not need to be the same on both devices, but it makes managing your games easier if it is.

Both your PC and Xbox must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your PC uses a wired ethernet connection instead, that works too — it just needs to be on the same home network as your Xbox.

Opening Xbox App and signing in

On your PC, press the Windows key and type "Xbox App". Click the app when it appears. If you do not see it, go to the Microsoft Store, search for "Xbox App", and install it — this is free.

When Xbox App opens, you will see a sign-in screen. Click "Sign in" and enter your Microsoft account email and password. After you sign in, the app will ask permission to access your profile — click "Yes" to allow it.

Once you are signed in, you should see a home screen with sections for Game Pass, your library, and other options. If this is your first time opening the app, it may take a moment to load.

Connecting to your Xbox console

Make sure your Xbox console is turned on and on the same Wi-Fi network as your PC. In Xbox App, look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner and click it. Select "Settings".

In Settings, click "Devices & connections" on the left side. You should see a section called "Remote play" or "Connect to a device". Click the option to add a device or connect to a console.

The app will search for your Xbox automatically. When it finds your console, it will show the name of your Xbox on the screen. Click on it to select it. The app may ask you to confirm the connection on your Xbox — if it does, go to your console and follow the on-screen prompt to allow the connection.

Once your console appears in the Devices list and shows "Connected", the setup is complete. You can now stream games from your Xbox to your PC.

Playing games from your console on your PC

In Xbox App, click "My games & apps" in the left menu. You will see all the games installed on your Xbox console listed here. Click any game to start playing it on your PC — the game will stream from your console to your screen.

The first time you stream a game, the app may ask you to choose video quality. Select "Balanced" if you are unsure — this works well on most home networks. If the picture looks choppy or freezes, you can lower the quality later in Settings.

You can play from anywhere in your house as long as both devices stay on the same network. Your Xbox console must stay turned on while you are playing, since the game is running on the console and being sent to your PC.

Troubleshooting a connection that will not work

If your console does not appear in the device list, restart both your PC and Xbox. Turn off the Xbox completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your PC. After both devices restart, open Xbox App again and try to connect.

If the devices still do not find each other, check that they are truly on the same network. On your PC, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and note the network name. On your Xbox, go to Settings > Network > Network settings and check that the network name matches. If you are using a guest network or a separate 5GHz band, move both devices to the main 2.4GHz network temporarily.

If you see a connection error message, sign out of Xbox App completely, restart your PC, and sign back in. This clears temporary connection problems. If the error persists, check that your Microsoft account password is correct by signing into account.microsoft.com in a web browser.

Playing Game Pass games without your console

If you have Xbox Game Pass for PC, you can play hundreds of games directly on your PC without needing your console at all. These games are installed on your PC, not streamed from your Xbox.

In Xbox App, click "Game Pass" in the left menu. You will see all available games. Click any game and select "Install" to read it to your PC. Once installed, you can play it anytime by clicking "Play".

Game Pass for PC is a separate subscription from console Game Pass, though some subscriptions include both. Check your account at account.microsoft.com to see which services you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy my games again for PC?

No. Games you own on Xbox appear in your library on PC through Xbox App and can be streamed to your PC at no extra cost. Games from Xbox Game Pass also work on PC if you have the PC version of Game Pass. You only pay once per game.

Can I use a controller to play on my PC?

Yes. Your Xbox controller connects to your PC wirelessly if your PC has Bluetooth, or through a USB cable. Press the pairing button on the controller, then go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth on your PC and select your controller from the list. Most games in Xbox App work with a controller.

What if my internet is slow?

Streaming from your console to your PC works over your home network, not the internet, so slow internet will not affect it. However, if you want to stream from outside your home, you will need a faster connection. Start with "Balanced" quality and lower it if you see lag or freezing.

Can I play on my PC and Xbox at the same time?

Not with the same game. When you stream a game to your PC, the game stops running on your console. However, you can play different games on each device — one person plays on the console while another plays a different game on the PC.

Do I need to keep my Xbox turned on all the time?

Only when you are actively playing a game streamed from your console. You can turn off your Xbox when you are done, or if you are only playing Game Pass games installed on your PC, you do not need the console on at all.