Install the Xbox app for Windows and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your Xbox console. Your Xbox gamertag, friends, achievements and eligible entitlements then appear in the PC Xbox ecosystem. There is normally no separate hardware-pairing or “Xbox-to-PC linking” procedure.
What “linking your Xbox account” means
Your Xbox profile is attached to a Microsoft account. On a PC, the Xbox app uses that account to identify your gamertag and provide Xbox services.
- Xbox account: The Microsoft account associated with your Xbox profile, gamertag, friends and achievements.
- Xbox app account: The account currently signed into the Xbox app for Windows.
- Windows account: The Microsoft or local account used to sign in to Windows. It does not have to be the same account, although using one Microsoft identity can reduce confusion.
- Microsoft Store account: The account Windows uses to license and install Store-bought PC games. It can have a separate session from the Xbox app.
- Console connection: A separate relationship used for Remote Play. Signing into the Xbox app does not automatically configure Remote Play.
The Xbox app is intended for PC games, Game Pass, social features, cloud gaming and Remote Play. See Xbox’s current Xbox app for Windows support information for app details.
Before you start
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC running version 22H2 or later, as listed on Xbox’s current app page: Xbox app for PC.
- Internet access and the Microsoft account email address and password used on your Xbox.
- The Xbox app for Windows, installed or updated through Microsoft Store.
- At least 150 MB for the app itself; games require substantially more storage and have their own hardware requirements.
- A Game Pass subscription only if you want subscription-based PC games or cloud gaming. You do not need Game Pass simply to sign into the Xbox app.
Xbox lists a 720p display requirement for the app. Game performance, storage and controller requirements vary by title. If the PC is in Windows S mode, Xbox notes that playing games through the app may require switching out of S mode.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Link your Xbox account to Windows
- Install or update the app. Get the Xbox app for Windows from the official Xbox app page or Microsoft Store. Install pending Windows and Store updates first if the app will not open.
- Open Xbox and choose Sign in. Button labels can change as the app is updated; choose the sign-in control or profile menu.
- Use the Microsoft account from your console. Enter the email address and password associated with the Xbox profile you want to use. An alternate email alias can still lead to the same account, but verify the profile afterward.
- Check the gamertag. Do not rely on the email address alone. Confirm that the displayed gamertag, avatar, friends and recent achievements match your console profile.
- Check Microsoft Store when installing games. Open Microsoft Store, inspect its profile, and use the account that owns the PC game or subscription for licensing. The Xbox app and Store can have separate sessions, and a mismatch commonly causes missing entitlements or installation errors.
- Verify the result. Open My Library or the Game Pass area and confirm that the expected PC games and subscription benefits appear.
How to tell whether the correct account is connected
A successful sign-in is more than seeing the app’s home screen. Check:
- Your console gamertag and profile picture.
- Familiar friends, achievements and recent activity.
- The expected Game Pass subscription, if you have one.
- The absence of a family member’s or alternate Microsoft account.
- The Microsoft Store account used for the relevant PC purchase or subscription.
If your console has several profiles, sign in on the PC with the profile that owns the game or subscription you intend to use.
What becomes available after sign-in?
Availability depends on the game, plan, platform and region. Signing in can provide:
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
- Xbox friends, messaging and other social features.
- Achievements and profile activity.
- PC versions of games owned through the Microsoft/Xbox ecosystem.
- PC Game Pass catalog access when the plan and title include PC play.
- Cloud gaming with an eligible plan, supported title and compatible region and device.
- Remote Play after you configure an Xbox console separately.
- Cross-device purchases, saves or progression only for games and services that support those features.
The Xbox app can also aggregate games from other PC storefronts, but aggregation does not transfer ownership. Xbox describes the app’s capabilities on its official overview page.
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Do you need to connect an Xbox console?
No. You can sign into the Xbox app, use Xbox social features and play eligible PC games without owning or connecting a console.
A console is relevant when you want to stream games from your own hardware with Remote Play, manage console-specific features or access games installed on that console. Remote Play is advertised for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Set up Remote Play separately
Remote Play streams your console to the PC; it is not the same as account sign-in. Xbox’s current instructions are at How to set up Remote Play. In general:
- On the console, open the settings area for device or remote features and enable Remote Play.
- Run the console’s network and Remote Play tests if those options are offered.
- Keep the console connected to power and online as required by Xbox’s setup flow.
- On the PC, update and open the Xbox app, choose the console or Remote Play option, and follow the pairing prompts.
- Connect a compatible controller to the PC and test the stream.
Menu names and requirements change, so use the linked Xbox guide for the current path. Remote Play depends on the console being reachable and on reliable network conditions.
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| Option | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox app for Windows | Eligible PC games, Xbox social features and PC Game Pass | Does not convert every console purchase into a PC license |
| Remote Play | Streaming games installed on your own Xbox console | Requires console setup, availability and suitable network quality |
| Cloud gaming | Playing supported games without installing them locally | Requires eligible access, supported games, region/device availability and good internet |
| Steam or another PC storefront | Games purchased in that storefront | Xbox sign-in does not replace the storefront purchase or launcher |
Do Xbox console purchases transfer to PC?
Not automatically. A console license, a PC license and a Game Pass entitlement are different things. A game may work on PC when it has a supported PC version, an Xbox Play Anywhere or comparable cross-buy entitlement, or inclusion in a plan that covers PC play. Other games are console-only.
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- BOLD STYLE, BUILT TO PERFORM — Define your swagger with a wild, head-turning design. Stay elegantly on target with textured triggers built for every moment.
- RUBBERIZED GRIPS — Hold on to the action with rubberized grips on the back cases, designed for comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
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- PLAY ACROSS EVERY SCREEN — Quickly pair with, play on, and switch between devices including console and PC. Stream games across mobile, gaming handhelds, Smart TVs, and supported VR headsets with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
A purchase made on Steam, Epic, Battle.net or another PC store normally remains licensed to that store. Some games support Xbox-network sign-in or cross-progression, but that is decided by the individual game and publisher. Cross-save and cross-progression are not universal.
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My Xbox profile is missing
- Sign out of the Xbox app.
- Sign back in with the Microsoft account used by the console profile.
- Confirm the gamertag, not just the email address.
- Inspect the Microsoft Store account separately.
Check for an old account, an alternate alias or a child/family profile if the gamertag is still wrong.
Game Pass does not appear
The subscription may belong to another Microsoft account, the Xbox app or Store session may not have refreshed, or the plan may not include PC access or cloud gaming. Check the current plan and entitlement details at Xbox Game Pass; catalogs, prices, tiers and device access can change by date, region and plan.
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My Xbox game is not listed on PC
Check whether the title has a PC version, supports Play Anywhere or is included in a plan with PC access. If it was bought through another PC storefront, install and launch it there. Console ownership alone does not guarantee a PC license.
The Xbox app will not install or update
- Confirm Windows 10 or 11 version 22H2 or later.
- Update Windows and Microsoft Store.
- Restart the PC, then update or reinstall the Xbox app.
- Check whether Windows S mode is blocking game installation or play.
- Use Xbox’s PC app troubleshooting guidance if the problem continues.
Remote Play cannot find my console
- Confirm Remote Play is enabled on the console.
- Make sure the console is online and meets the current requirements.
- Use the same intended Xbox profile on the PC.
- Update the Xbox app and check both devices’ network connections.
- Follow the current Remote Play setup guide for console-specific settings.
A game opens with the wrong profile
Sign out of the Xbox app and related Microsoft/Xbox prompts, then sign back into the intended account. A game may also have its own publisher account, which must be changed separately.
Bottom line
For ordinary Xbox-on-PC use, install the Xbox app and sign in with the Microsoft account behind your console gamertag. Verify the gamertag and Store account, then treat PC licensing, cloud gaming and Remote Play as separate features with their own eligibility and setup requirements.
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