Age of Empires IV on Windows can be downloaded through Steam, the Microsoft Store, or the Xbox app for Windows. PC Game Pass members should use the Xbox app when the game is available in their account and region. The PC requires 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, DirectX 12, and AVX support.
Choose the installation route that matches your entitlement: Xbox app for PC Game Pass, Microsoft Store for a Microsoft purchase, or Steam for a Steam purchase. The sections below cover each route, hardware requirements, storage, multiplayer, and the difference between ownership and subscription access.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Age of Empires IV – Anniversary Edition – Windows [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NQnflAhRL._SL160_.jpg)
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Age of Empires IV – Anniversary Edition – Windows [Digital Code] | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Age of Empires III | $37.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Age Of Empires: Gold (Jewel Case) - PC | $72.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Age of Empires 2 - Gold Edition 2.0 (DVD-Verpackung) | Buy on Amazon | |
| 5 |
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GMT Games Space Empires 4X 3rd Printing | $79.25 | Buy on Amazon |
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Key takeaways
- Age of Empires IV is available on Windows through Steam, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app for Windows.
- PC Game Pass members can install Age of Empires IV through the Xbox app when the game is available in their account and region.
- The minimum specification is 8 GB of RAM with 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11, DirectX 12, and AVX support.
- The recommended specification is 16 GB of RAM, a six-core 3.6 GHz Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600-class processor, and a GTX 970 or RX 570 with 4 GB of VRAM.
- The download size varies with Windows language configuration, so no single universal size should be promised.
- The PC version supports single-player, online PvP, online co-op, and cross-platform multiplayer according to the official Steam listing.
How do you download Age of Empires IV on Windows?
Choose the client connected to your entitlement: use the Xbox app for PC Game Pass access, the Microsoft Store for a Microsoft-owned purchase, or Steam for a Steam purchase. Sign in to the matching account, open the game’s page or library entry, select Install, and let the relevant client complete the download.
| Route | Best for | Account and client | Access model | Installation path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox app for Windows | PC Game Pass members | Microsoft account and Xbox app | Subscription-based access while eligible | Xbox app → Game Pass → search for the game → Install |
| Microsoft Store | Microsoft Store purchasers | Microsoft account that owns or redeemed the game | Direct purchase entitlement | Microsoft Store → Library or product page → Install or update |
| Steam | Steam purchasers | Steam account and Steam client | Direct purchase entitlement | Steam → Library → Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition → Install or Update |
How does the Xbox app and PC Game Pass installation work?
The Xbox app is the clearest installation route for a reader who already has PC Game Pass. On a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, search for Xbox from the taskbar and open the Xbox app. If the app is missing, the official support instructions say to obtain it from the Microsoft Store. The official Age of Empires download instructions describe this route.
#1 Best Overall
- The award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues to delight fans worldwide with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.
- Featuring 2 brand new civilizations: the Ottomans and Malians for a total of 10 diverse civilizations with unique playstyles and abilities.
- Play how you want with user-generated content, tools, and mods for custom games (Beta).
- 8 new maps; new masteries, challenges, taunts, and cheats; and additional in-game updates and languages included.
- Cooperate or spectate with up to 7 of your friends in PVP and PVE multiplayer modes, and now with ranked seasons!
- Open the Xbox app and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your PC Game Pass subscription.
- Select the Game Pass tab.
- Search for Age of Empires IV.
- Select the game and choose Install.
- Follow the prompts to choose an installation location and start the download.
PC Game Pass access is not the same as permanent ownership. Installation depends on the game being available to the reader’s Game Pass catalog, account, and region at the time of access. The supplied official research does not establish a universal current subscription price or guarantee catalog availability in every region, so check the Xbox app before relying on this route.
How do you install Age of Empires IV from the Microsoft Store?
The Microsoft Store route requires the Microsoft account that purchased or redeemed the Age of Empires IV entitlement. Open Microsoft Store from Windows Search, sign in, and use the Store library or the product page to install or update the game.
- Open Microsoft Store from the Windows Start menu or Search.
- Sign in with the account that owns Age of Empires IV.
- Open Library and locate the game, or search the Store product page for it.
- Select Install for a new installation or Update if the game is already installed.
- Keep the Store open long enough for the installation to initialize, then launch the game from Windows or the Store library.
If the game does not appear in the library, verify the signed-in Microsoft account before assuming the purchase is missing. Store ownership and Xbox app access are both tied to the relevant Microsoft account and entitlement.
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Steam purchasers should install Age of Empires IV through the Steam client and Steam Library. The official listing identifies the product as Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition. The official Steam listing is the reference for the listed PC product and its features.
Rank #2
- Start out playing as the British and begin with a solid economy, or lead the French into an easy alliance with Native Americans - 8 total civilizations to choose from
- Work with Native Americans to your tactical advantage, for the first time ever
- Develop your own Home City, and customize it make it wealthier and more powerful as you take over Europe
- Explore the New World and create colonies while seeking out new resources and making alliances with the Native Americans
- Recover buried treasure from the Caribbean, hunt bison on the Great Plains, compete for trade routes and fortify the coast of New England
- Open the Steam client and sign in to the Steam account that purchased the game.
- Select Library.
- Search for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
- Select Install, choose a Steam library location, and confirm the download.
- Use Update later when Steam presents a game update.
A Steam purchase and a Microsoft Store purchase are separate storefront entitlements. Choose the client where you already own the game instead of buying it again through another ecosystem.
What are the PC requirements for Age of Empires IV?
Age of Empires IV officially requires 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11, DirectX 12, and AVX-capable hardware. The official minimum and recommended specifications are published requirements, not independent frame-rate tests, so they cannot guarantee a particular resolution, graphics preset, or frame rate. The official Age of Empires IV product page provides the cited specifications.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 | 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6300U or AMD Ryzen 5 2400G-class processor | 3.6 GHz six-core Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600-class processor |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Intel HD 520 or AMD Radeon RX Vega 11-class graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 570 with 4 GB VRAM |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 | DirectX 12 |
| Instruction-set requirement | AVX support | AVX support |
How should you check whether your Windows PC is ready?
Compare your PC’s operating system, processor, installed RAM, graphics hardware, DirectX support, and AVX support against the official table before downloading. Windows must be 64-bit; a compatible-looking graphics card does not remove the separate DirectX 12 and AVX requirements.
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- To identify the Windows edition and system type, open Settings → System → About and check whether the system is 64-bit.
- Check the processor and installed memory in the same About page or in Task Manager → Performance.
- Check the graphics adapter in Task Manager → Performance → GPU.
- Use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by opening Windows Search, typing dxdiag, and reviewing the DirectX information and hardware details.
- If the processor does not support AVX, graphics-setting changes will not address that compatibility failure.
How much space does Age of Empires IV need?
Age of Empires IV does not have one universal download-size figure that applies to every Windows installation. The official support article says the actual download size depends on the number of preferred languages installed in Windows and is likely smaller when fewer languages are installed. The official Age IV download-size guidance explains the language-related variation.
Check the size shown by the Xbox app, Microsoft Store, or Steam immediately before starting the installation, and leave comfortable additional free space for installation activity and future updates. A displayed download estimate should be treated as configuration-dependent rather than as a permanent installed-size promise.
Does Age of Empires IV have multiplayer and co-op?
Yes. The official Steam listing identifies Age of Empires IV as supporting single-player, online PvP, online co-op, and cross-platform multiplayer for the listed PC product. The listing also includes Steam Achievements, Family Sharing, a tutorial system, and a campaign story mode. The official Steam feature listing supports these capabilities.
The tutorial and campaign provide entry points for new players, while the product description also presents advanced mechanics, evolved strategies, and combat techniques for experienced players. Xbox Game Studios describes the design as “An Age for All Players – Age of Empires IV is an inviting experience for new players with a tutorial system that teaches the essence of real-time strategy and a Campaign Story Mode designed for first time players to help achieve easy setup and success, yet is challenging enough for veteran players with new game mechanics, evolved strategies, and combat techniques.” This quotation appears in the official Steam product description.
What is the difference between buying Age of Empires IV and using PC Game Pass?
A direct purchase gives the reader an entitlement tied to the selected storefront, while PC Game Pass provides subscription-based access subject to the active subscription and catalog availability. The best route depends primarily on where the reader already owns the game and whether the reader wants ongoing ownership or subscription access.
| Decision | Direct purchase | PC Game Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership model | Purchase entitlement tied to Steam or Microsoft Store | Subscription-based access, not permanent ownership |
| Primary client | Steam client or Microsoft Store, depending on purchase | Xbox app for Windows |
| Account to use | Account that bought or redeemed the game | Microsoft account with the relevant PC Game Pass access |
| Catalog condition | Entitlement remains associated with the selected storefront | Access depends on catalog, account, and region availability |
| Edition check | Confirm the edition and included extras before purchase | Confirm the catalog listing and available edition in the Xbox app |
The official purchase information identifies Digital Deluxe bonus content including the soundtrack, Unit Counters Chart, art compilation, and selected in-game items. Edition contents can differ, so review the current edition description before purchasing. The official Age of Empires purchase page is the source for those Digital Deluxe details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you do if the installation or launch fails?
Start with account, client, compatibility, and storage checks because those are the documented prerequisites in the supplied official guidance. For an issue-specific remedy, use the official Age of Empires IV support category rather than applying an unverified universal fix.
- Confirm that Windows is 64-bit.
- Confirm AVX support before spending time changing graphics settings.
- Sign in to the account that owns the game or provides the relevant subscription.
- Use the correct client for the entitlement: Xbox app, Microsoft Store, or Steam.
- Check free storage and account for language-dependent download size.
- Update the relevant storefront client and the game before treating the installation as defective.
- For launch, controller, firewall, or multiplayer-specific problems, consult the official Age of Empires support guidance and related support articles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Age of Empires IV on PC Game Pass?
Age of Empires IV is available on Windows through Steam, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app for Windows. PC Game Pass members can install it from the Xbox app when the game is available in their account and region.
Does Age of Empires IV have multiplayer and co-op?
Yes. The PC version supports online PvP, online co-op, and cross-platform multiplayer according to the official Steam listing. The same listing also identifies single-player content and a campaign story mode.
Best Value
- Takes about 2 hours to play
- Lots of replay value
- For 1 to 4 players
What are the PC requirements for Age of Empires IV?
Age of Empires IV requires 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11, DirectX 12, AVX support, and at least 8 GB of RAM. The recommended configuration uses 16 GB of RAM and a GTX 970 or RX 570 with 4 GB of VRAM.
How much space does Age of Empires IV need?
The download size varies according to the number of preferred languages installed in Windows, so there is no single universal download-size figure. Check the estimate shown by the relevant client and leave additional free storage.
The Bottom Line
For PC Game Pass, install Age of Empires IV through the Xbox app. For a direct purchase, use the storefront where the game is owned: Microsoft Store or Steam. Before downloading, verify 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, DirectX 12, AVX support, at least 8 GB of RAM, and enough variable storage.
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Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
