Xbox Game Pass on PC: Is It Worth It in 2026?
Quick answer: Yes — PC Game Pass gives you access to 400+ games for $9.99/month (or bundled with Xbox consoles as Game Pass Ultimate for $14.99/month). EA Play is included. Day-one releases from Microsoft (Call of Duty, Fortnite V-Bucks monthly, Minecraft Dungeons, Starfield, Age of Empires) are all included. For anyone who plays more than 1–2 new games per year, the math works out.
PC Game Pass is separate from Xbox (console) Game Pass. This guide covers PC Game Pass — games installed on your Windows PC via the Xbox app.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (1903+) or Windows 11 |
| Microsoft account | Required (free to create) |
| Xbox app | Required — replaces the old "Xbox Console Companion" |
| Internet connection | Required for download and license checks |
| Storage | Varies per game — 20–100+ GB per game; SSD recommended |
| Payment method | Credit card, debit card, PayPal, or prepaid Game Pass codes |
You do NOT need an Xbox console to use PC Game Pass. It is a standalone PC subscription.
Step 1: Create or Sign In to Your Microsoft Account
- Go to microsoft.com and sign in or create a free account
- Use an email you check regularly — this is also your gaming identity and linked to Xbox achievements
- Set up 2-factor authentication (Settings → Security) to protect your account
Already have an account? Skip to Step 2.
Step 2: Subscribe to PC Game Pass
Option A — PC Game Pass ($9.99/month)
- PC games only
- Includes EA Play on PC
- Best if you only game on PC
Option B — Game Pass Ultimate ($14.99/month)
- PC games + Xbox console games
- Includes EA Play on PC and console
- Includes cloud gaming (stream games to any device)
- Includes Xbox Live Gold (online multiplayer on Xbox)
- Best overall value if you also own or plan to own an Xbox
Option C — Game Pass Student (select regions)
- Discounted rate with student email verification
- Same library as PC Game Pass
How to subscribe:
- Go to xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass
- Click "Join PC Game Pass" or "Join Game Pass Ultimate"
- New subscribers often get a 1-month trial for $1 — check current offers
- Enter payment details → Confirm
Game Pass codes (from physical cards or third-party sites) can be redeemed at microsoft.com/redeem.
Step 3: Install the Xbox App on PC
The Xbox app is the launcher for all PC Game Pass games.
- Search "Xbox" in the Microsoft Store (Start Menu → Microsoft Store → search "Xbox")
- Install the Xbox app (not "Xbox Console Companion" — that's deprecated)
- Sign in with your Microsoft account
- The app will show your subscription status and the full Game Pass library
Alternative: Download directly from xbox.com/en-US/apps/xbox-app-for-pc
First-time setup tips:
- Open Xbox app → Settings (gear icon) → Gaming → Set your default game install location
- Choose a drive with at least 100–200 GB free (SSD strongly preferred for faster load times)
- Enable auto-updates or manage manually if you want control over storage
Step 4: Install and Play Games
- Open the Xbox app
- Click Game Pass in the left sidebar
- Browse or search for a game
- Click Install — choose your install location
- Once installed, click Play
Finding games: The library tab shows all games included with your subscription. Games marked "Leaving soon" have a countdown — play them before they rotate out.
Download speeds:
- The Xbox app uses the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
- Downloads run slower than Steam or Epic by default
- To speed up: close other applications, pause non-essential Windows updates, use wired Ethernet
Understanding Game Pass Library
What's included:
- Microsoft first-party titles: Halo series, Forza Motorsport, Forza Horizon 5, Age of Empires 4, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, and all future Xbox Game Studios releases on day one
- Activision Blizzard titles (post-acquisition): Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Modern Warfare series, Overwatch 2 (free anyway), Diablo IV, StarCraft: Remastered, Warcraft Rumble
- EA Play games: ~90 EA titles including FIFA/EA FC series, Battlefield 2042, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Dragon Age series, Need for Speed, Star Wars Jedi series
- Third-party titles: New additions rotate in monthly — publishers include Bethesda, Sega, Square Enix, 505 Games, Team17, and many indie publishers
- Indie selection: Hundreds of indie games spanning roguelikes, RPGs, platformers, puzzles
What's NOT included:
- DLC, expansions, and Season Passes must be purchased separately (though sometimes discounted for Game Pass members)
- Some games have a "Day One" release on Game Pass but DLC is sold separately (e.g., CoD Black Ops 6 does not include Warzone, which is free separately)
- Games can leave the library — if you want to keep playing after removal, you must buy them (Game Pass members get a 20% discount on purchases)
Games leaving soon:
Check the "Leaving soon" filter in the Xbox app — games typically rotate out with 14 days' notice.
EA Play on PC (Included with PC Game Pass)
EA Play is included automatically with PC Game Pass. You don't need a separate EA Play account.
What EA Play adds:
- Access to ~90 EA titles
- 10-hour trials of new EA releases before they're on Game Pass
- 10% discount on EA purchases
- EA Play challenge rewards
To access EA Play titles:
- They appear in the Xbox app alongside other Game Pass games
- Some EA titles may also launch the EA app for installation — this is normal
Game Pass on PC vs Steam: Key Differences
| Feature | Xbox Game Pass (PC) | Steam |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Subscription — games require active sub | Purchase — own permanently |
| Cost | $9.99–$14.99/mo | Per game (~$10–$70 each) |
| Library size | 400+ rotating | 50,000+ games |
| New AAA releases | Day-one for Microsoft titles | Full price at launch |
| Offline play | Limited (24h grace period) | Full offline mode |
| Mods | Limited (file system restrictions) | Full Steam Workshop support |
| Refunds | No — it's subscription-based | Yes (2h playtime / 14 days) |
| Saves | Xbox cloud saves (some games) | Steam Cloud saves |
| Game performance | Same as native | Same as native |
Key tradeoff: Game Pass is better for playing many games cheaply; Steam is better for games you want to own, mod heavily, or play offline without worry.
Common Issues and Fixes
"Content is locked" or game won't launch after subscribing
- Sign out of Xbox app → Sign back in
- Go to Settings → Account → Verify subscription status
- Sometimes takes 5–15 minutes after payment for subscription to activate
Download stuck or paused
- Pause download → Resume download
- Check Windows Update isn't running simultaneously (it competes for bandwidth)
- Open Services.msc → Find "Xbox Live Networking Service" → Restart it
- Check storage: Xbox app downloads require full game size in free space
Game crashes or won't start (Error 0x80073D12, 0x80073CF0, etc.)
- Xbox app → Library → click the three dots next to game → Manage → Repair
- If repair fails: Uninstall and reinstall from scratch
- For persistent errors: Settings → Apps → Xbox → Advanced Options → Reset
"Install" button is greyed out
- Your subscription may not have activated yet — wait 5–10 minutes and refresh
- Check that you're signed in with the correct Microsoft account (not a work/school account on the wrong profile)
- Regional restriction: Some games aren't available in all countries
Can't find a game that should be in Game Pass
- Confirm it's on PC Game Pass specifically (some games are console-only)
- Some games appear in "EA Play" tab, not main Game Pass library
- Use the Xbox website (xbox.com/games/pc) to verify a game is included
Xbox app won't open or update
- Search "Xbox" in Start → Right-click → App Settings → Reset
- Check Microsoft Store: Open Store → Library → Check for updates → Update Xbox app
- Last resort: Uninstall Xbox app via Apps settings → Reinstall from Microsoft Store
Mods don't work
- Xbox Game Pass versions of games are installed in a protected folder (
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps) — mods that require dropping files into the game directory won't work - Workaround: Some Game Pass games (like Minecraft Bedrock, Grounded) have built-in modding through the game itself
- If mods are critical, consider buying the game on Steam instead
Xbox App vs Microsoft Store: What's the Difference?
These are two separate apps that people often confuse:
| Xbox App | Microsoft Store |
|---|---|
| For gaming: Game Pass library, social features, achievements, game installs | For apps: Movies, apps, non-gaming software |
| Game Pass subscription management | Xbox app itself is downloaded from here |
| Friends list and party chat | Purchases of apps and non-game software |
Use the Xbox app for gaming. The Microsoft Store is just where you initially download the Xbox app.
Cloud Gaming (Game Pass Ultimate Only)
With Game Pass Ultimate, you can stream games to any Windows, Android, iOS/Safari, Samsung Smart TV, or Meta Quest device without downloading them.
How it works:
- Xbox app → click the cloud icon on any supported game → Play via Cloud
- Games run on Microsoft's servers in Azure data centers and are streamed to you
- Controller strongly recommended — touch controls exist but are designed for phones
- Latency: Works best with <50ms ping to nearest Azure data center and 25+ Mbps internet
Best use cases for cloud gaming:
- Playing on a low-spec PC that can't run a game natively
- Playing on a laptop or tablet away from your main PC
- Testing a game before downloading 100GB
Not ideal for: Competitive multiplayer (latency matters), games with fine movement controls, offline situations.
Tips to Get the Most from Game Pass
Play "Leaving Soon" games first: The rotation is real — some beloved games have left. Always check the leaving-soon list and prioritize those.
Use the Xbox app's "New on Game Pass" feed: Microsoft usually adds 8–12 games per month in two batches (beginning and middle of month).
Stack discounts: When a game you like is leaving, Game Pass members get a 20% discount. If you want to keep it, buy it before it leaves.
Share with family: Microsoft Family Safety app allows up to 6 accounts to share one subscription if you use the Family Plan (available in some regions).
Download games before playing: Even though cloud gaming exists, downloading locally gives better performance. Pre-download upcoming Day One releases the night before.
EA Play trials: EA releases games to trial before adding to Game Pass. Use the 10-hour trial for new EA sports games even if you're not sure you'll play.
Game Pass vs Buying: When to Do Which
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Microsoft first-party games (CoD, Halo, Forza) | Game Pass — always day one, no reason to buy |
| Indie games you might play 5+ hours | Game Pass — explore for free |
| Games you'll play 200+ hours | Buy it when it goes on sale — own it permanently |
| Games with heavy modding communities | Buy on Steam — file system access needed |
| Games leaving Game Pass you love | Buy before they leave (20% member discount) |
| Multiplayer with friends who don't have Game Pass | Confirm they can also get Game Pass; if not, may need to buy for longevity |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Xbox Game Pass the same as Xbox Live Gold? No. Xbox Live Gold is for console online multiplayer. PC doesn't require a subscription to play online — only console does. Game Pass is a game library subscription. Game Pass Ultimate bundles both for console players.
Can I use a controller with PC Game Pass games? Yes. Xbox controllers connect via USB or Bluetooth and are plug-and-play on Windows. PlayStation controllers work too via Steam Input or DS4Windows (for games outside Steam).
Does Game Pass work offline? For up to 24 hours without an internet connection after a check-in. After 24 hours, games lock until you reconnect. If offline for extended periods, Game Pass is not ideal — buy the game instead.
What happens to my saves if my subscription expires? Your saves are stored locally and in Xbox Cloud Saves. They remain on your PC. If you resubscribe later, you can continue where you left off.
Can I play Game Pass games on two PCs at the same time? No — one active session per account at a time. Multiple devices can have games installed, but only one can be actively playing.
Is PC Game Pass available outside the US? Yes, but availability and pricing vary by country. Some games in the US library are not available in certain regions due to licensing.
How do I cancel? Xbox app → Account → Manage subscription → Cancel, or via account.microsoft.com/services. Cancellation takes effect at end of current billing period — you keep access until then.