Install the Xbox app from Microsoft Store: open Start, search for Microsoft Store, search the Store for Xbox, choose the Xbox app listing, and select Install. After it finishes, open Xbox from Start and sign in with the Microsoft account connected to the Xbox profile you want to use. The PC app requires Windows 10 or Windows 11 version 22H2 or later; Xbox mode is a separate optional feature that requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later.
What you need before installing
The Xbox app is a Windows application for finding and downloading compatible PC games, using available cloud-gaming features, and chatting with friends across PC, mobile, and console. Installing the application does not itself provide a subscription, game ownership, or access to every feature. Individual games and services can depend on your account, market, device, and entitlement.
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Windows 11 version 22H2 or later
Xbox lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 version 22H2 or higher as the operating-system requirement for the Xbox PC app. To check your Windows 11 version, open Settings > System > About, or use Settings > Windows Update to look for updates. If Windows has just installed an update, restart before trying to install the app so Store registrations can finish.
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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.
A Microsoft account that can use Store apps
You will need to sign in to Microsoft Store when Windows asks for authorization, and you should use the Microsoft account associated with the Xbox profile you intend to use. A Store account and an Xbox profile can be confusing when several Microsoft accounts are present on one PC, so check the account shown in Store before installing and use the same intended account when Xbox first opens.
Write down which account you selected if the PC is shared. The account determines the friends list, purchases, subscriptions, and other entitlements that the app can display. Installing with one account and then signing into Xbox with another can make a game or subscription appear to be missing even though the installation succeeded.
Do not confuse the app with Xbox mode
Xbox app for PC and Xbox mode are different Windows features:
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| Item | What it does | Windows requirement or availability |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox app for PC | Game discovery and downloads, cloud gaming where available, and chat | Windows 10 or Windows 11 version 22H2 or later |
| Xbox mode | An optional controller-focused, full-screen gaming interface | Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, and only in supported markets |
Xbox mode is not required to install, open, or use the Xbox app. If a guide tells you to enable Xbox mode to install Xbox, it is describing two separate tasks.
Install the Xbox app from Microsoft Store
- Open Microsoft Store. Select Start and type Microsoft Store. Select the Store app from the search results. If it is not pinned to the taskbar, Start search is still the normal way to open it.
- Confirm the Store account. Select the account icon in Store and check that the signed-in Microsoft account is the one you want associated with the Xbox installation. If Store requests authorization, complete it rather than dismissing the prompt.
- Search for Xbox. In Microsoft Store, select the search field, enter
Xbox, and open the listing for the Xbox app. Check that you are looking at the app listing rather than an unrelated game or accessory. - Select Install. Choose Install or the Store’s download control. Windows downloads and registers the app through Store; you do not need a separate installer for the standard PC app.
- Wait for Store to finish. Keep the Store window open long enough to show that the installation has completed. If Windows reports that a restart is required after an update, restart and then return to Microsoft Store.
- Open Xbox. Select Open from the Store listing, or open Start and search for Xbox after installation.
The Store route is preferable to downloading an installer from an unrelated website. It keeps the app tied to Windows’ normal app-distribution and update mechanism and gives you the Library option if the listing is not immediately visible later.
Install from Store Library instead
If the Xbox app is already associated with your Microsoft account, Microsoft Store can install it from the account’s library. Open Microsoft Store > Library, find Xbox, and select its download icon. This is useful when a Store search does not immediately show the app but the account has previously acquired or installed it.
Make sure the Library is filtered to the current account and not another family member’s account. The download icon may appear instead of an Install button because the app is being restored from that account’s history. If Xbox is not listed there, return to the account, region, family-setting, and compatibility checks rather than downloading an unofficial package.
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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.
Sign in and complete the first setup
- Choose the Microsoft account for your Xbox profile. At the Xbox sign-in screen, use the account linked to the profile whose friends, purchases, subscriptions, and entitlements you expect to see. If Windows or Store asks for authorization, complete that sign-in as well.
- Allow the app to finish loading your account. The first launch may take a moment to populate the home screen and catalog. Do not assume that an empty or incomplete view means installation failed until the sign-in process has finished.
- Check what content your account can use. The app can show games to discover and download, but a particular title may require a purchase or an eligible Game Pass subscription. Cloud gaming and other features can also vary by market, account, device, and entitlement.
- Use the app’s social features if needed. Once signed in, Xbox can provide chat and friend features that connect people across PC, mobile, and console, subject to the account and service availability for your region.
Installing the app is not the same as buying a game or subscribing to a service. Treat the install as access to the Xbox PC interface; confirm the requirement shown for each game or feature before expecting it to launch. If the app asks you to sign in again, compare the displayed account with the account shown in Microsoft Store instead of repeatedly reinstalling.
Make the first launch easier on a shared PC
On a family or shared computer, sign out of an unrelated Microsoft account in Store before installing, then verify the profile shown in Xbox. Family settings can affect what a child account can find or install, so a parent or organizer may need to review those settings. These controls are account-level restrictions, not evidence that the Xbox app is damaged.
What you can do in the Xbox app
Find and download PC games
Use the catalog to browse compatible PC games and start downloads for titles your account is entitled to use. The app is a discovery and management point; the presence of a listing does not guarantee that the game is included with your account or available in every market. Open the individual game’s listing and read the requirement shown there before starting a large download.
Use cloud gaming when eligible
The Xbox PC app includes cloud-gaming functionality where the account, device, market, and service entitlement support it. A subscription or other entitlement may be required. If a cloud option is missing, check those conditions before treating the absence as an installation problem. A working installation can still show a different set of cloud options from a friend’s app because regional and account eligibility differ.
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Chat with friends
Xbox supports communication with friends across PC, mobile, and console. The people and features shown depend on which Microsoft account is signed in and on the services available to that account. If the friends list looks wrong, verify the account first; reinstalling does not move purchases or social data between Microsoft accounts.
Troubleshoot an Xbox app installation problem
The Xbox app does not appear in Microsoft Store search
- Confirm that you are signed in to the Microsoft account you intend to use.
- Check whether the app is available in your region. Store listings and features can be market-specific.
- Review family settings, which can restrict what an account can find or install.
- Check device compatibility and confirm that Windows meets the 22H2-or-later requirement.
- Restart Windows if the PC was recently updated, then search again.
If the app is tied to your account but still does not appear in search, open Microsoft Store > Library and look for its download icon. If another Microsoft account is shown in Store, switch to the account that previously installed or acquired the app and check Library again.
The Install button is missing, disabled, or fails
- Sign in to Microsoft Store and complete any authorization prompt. Store apps can require Microsoft-account authorization even when Windows itself is using another sign-in method.
- Verify that the listing supports the device and that Windows 11 is version 22H2 or later.
- Restart after pending Windows updates, then try the installation again.
- Check family restrictions, regional availability, and the account currently selected in Store.
- If the error appears immediately after an update, restart first; Store registration may not be complete until Windows has restarted.
These checks distinguish a Store authorization or compatibility issue from a problem with the Xbox application itself. Avoid changing accounts repeatedly while an installation is in progress, because that makes it harder to tell which account owns the Store entry.
Rank #3
- 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.
Microsoft Store is missing from Windows
Search for Microsoft Store from Start even if its icon is not visible. Microsoft notes that Store may be unavailable when Windows is using a local account, and an organization can disable Store on a managed work device. If the PC belongs to a school or employer, contact the device administrator rather than attempting to bypass the policy. On a personal PC using a local account, signing in with a Microsoft account may be necessary to access Store apps.
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A missing taskbar shortcut is different from a missing Store application. Start search can open an unpinned Store app. If Start search cannot find it at all, determine whether the PC is using a local account or is managed by an organization before attempting other fixes.
Microsoft Store opens but behaves incorrectly
Reset the Store cache with Microsoft’s documented command:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Enter
wsreset.exe. - Press Enter and wait while Windows resets the Store app.
- When the reset completes, open Microsoft Store again and search for Xbox.
The reset targets Store’s cache; it does not grant access to games or subscriptions. If the listing remains unavailable afterward, return to the account, region, family-setting, compatibility, and pending-restart checks. Running the reset is useful when Store search or downloads behave inconsistently, but it cannot override an administrator policy or make an unsupported device eligible.
The app opens but the wrong Xbox profile appears
Close Xbox and sign in again with the Microsoft account connected to the desired profile. Also check which account Microsoft Store is using, because installing through one account and launching with another can produce a different catalog or entitlement view. Do not purchase a game or subscription until the displayed account is the one you intend to use.
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The catalog or cloud option looks different from someone else’s
First compare the Microsoft accounts, then check market, device, and entitlement differences. The Xbox app can be installed while an individual game, cloud-gaming option, or social feature remains unavailable. A missing feature is therefore not automatically a Store failure. Check the game’s or service’s own requirement before resetting or reinstalling the app.
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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.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of battery life so you can keep playing without stopping to recharge.
- 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.
Set up Xbox mode only if you want its full-screen interface
Xbox mode is an optional Windows gaming interface designed for a controller-focused, full-screen experience. It is separate from the Xbox PC app and is not needed for downloads, sign-in, chat, or opening games through the app.
On a compatible Windows 11 installation, its settings path is Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode. Microsoft lists Windows 11 version 24H2 or later and supported markets for this feature. If Xbox mode is not shown, that can reflect the Windows version or market rather than a defective Xbox app. Updating the Xbox app alone will not make an unsupported Windows configuration eligible.
Think of Xbox mode as an optional interface choice, not as a second installation of Xbox. You can leave it disabled and use the regular desktop app normally. Check Windows Update and your market eligibility if you specifically need the full-screen experience.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Using a controller after installation
An Xbox wireless controller is optional. You can install and configure the Xbox app without one, and controller availability does not determine whether Store can install the app. If you choose to play with a controller, use it only after the app and your account are working; that keeps controller pairing issues separate from Store or sign-in troubleshooting.
A controller can make Xbox mode’s full-screen interface more convenient, but owning one is not a prerequisite for Xbox mode eligibility either. Treat the controller as an optional accessory for compatible games, not as part of the Windows or Xbox account setup.
A quick verification checklist
- Windows 11 is version 22H2 or later for the Xbox PC app.
- Microsoft Store opens and is not blocked by a local-account limitation or organization policy.
- The Xbox listing installs from Store or appears under Store > Library.
- Xbox launches from Start after installation.
- The signed-in Microsoft account is linked to the intended Xbox profile.
- You understand which games require a purchase or subscription.
- Any missing cloud, catalog, or social feature has been checked against account, market, device, and entitlement limits.
- Xbox mode is being treated as optional and is expected only on Windows 11 version 24H2 or later in supported markets.
Once those checks pass, the Xbox app is installed and configured for the account and Windows version supported on your PC. Keep the account choice consistent in Store and Xbox, and use the Library or wsreset.exe procedures when Store itself is the obstacle.
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What Windows version is required for the Xbox app on Windows 11?
The Xbox PC app requires Windows 10 or Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. Check Settings > System > About or Windows Update. Xbox mode has a separate, higher requirement: Windows 11 version 24H2 or later in supported markets.
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Can I install the Xbox app without Xbox mode?
Yes. Xbox mode is an optional full-screen, controller-focused Windows interface. It is not required for installing, opening, signing into, downloading games through, or chatting in the Xbox PC app.
Why can’t I find Xbox in Microsoft Store?
Check the Microsoft account in use, regional availability, family settings, device compatibility, and the Windows version. Restart after recent Windows updates. If the app is associated with your account, open Microsoft Store > Library and use its download icon.
Why is Microsoft Store missing on my PC?
Start search may find Store even when it is not pinned. Microsoft Store can be unavailable with a local Windows account, and an employer or school can disable it on a managed device. Sign in with a Microsoft account on a personal PC, or ask the administrator on a managed PC.
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Sign in and complete Store authorization, confirm Windows 11 is version 22H2 or later, check account, family, region, and compatibility restrictions, and restart after pending updates. You can also press Windows key + R, run wsreset.exe, and try again.
Does installing the Xbox app include Game Pass or games?
No. Installation provides the Xbox PC interface. Individual games may require a purchase or an eligible subscription, and cloud gaming or other features can depend on your account, market, device, and entitlement.
Why does Xbox show the wrong profile or missing purchases?
Compare the Microsoft account shown in Microsoft Store with the account used inside Xbox. Sign out and use the account linked to the intended Xbox profile. Do not buy a game or subscription until the correct account is displayed.
Do I need an Xbox controller to install the app?
No. A controller is optional and is not required for Store installation, account setup, or normal desktop use of the Xbox app. It can be useful for compatible games or Xbox mode’s full-screen interface.
The Bottom Line
Use Microsoft Store to install Xbox, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the profile you want, and confirm Windows 11 is version 22H2 or later. If Store is the problem, check account, region, family, device, and restart conditions, then try wsreset.exe. Xbox mode is optional and requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later.
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