Why is Xbox file management on PC trash?

Royal Mongwe · Mar 19, 2025 at 2:53 AM

I had Forza Horizon 5 installed on my external SSD via desktop, since I travel a lot and game on my laptop.

So I thought it'd be wise to also back it up onto my desktop. But I later uninstalled the game from my desktop and had the game files Backed up somewhere in the Local disk.

Now I am trying to install the game by recovering the already existing files like you would do on Steam where it verifies and checks if there are already existing files for the game. I cannot do that with the Xbox app.

Option 1:

I tried downloading the game up to 4GB, pause the download then moved the files into the new folder it created, but still did not recognize them.

Option 2:

I tried to change my installation location to the folder where I had backed up the files and it still does not verify and recognize the them, all it does is a fresh download.

Is there some other way I can install the game without redownloading the files all over again? Because I already have the files. I am not looking forward to sitting through another 2 hours trying to download 145GB of files.

NB. Apologies for how I phrased the question I'm just frustrated

:)

SwordofWhedon

You need to go to the apps menu, there you can verify and move installed apps. You must do it this way because the DRM otherwise will be broken

SinistralSpark8

Age 2 and Football Manager 2018, my PC is a trash so it doesn't run so well but this are the best games for me.

Georges C.

Hello, first it's a pleasure to be able to help you today.

My name is welcome to the community.

Hello King, I'm sorry you are having difficulties contacting Xbox support, however try to follow the steps below to contact Xbox support via chat.

Go to: https://support.xbox.com/en-US/contact-us/

See the bottom left part of the page and make sure that the page has the correct region that you are in (ex: United States - English for USA)

If not, click on it then select the correct region that you are in.

Check and confirm that you are within the available time of support under Contact times.

Click Contact us

Select the drop-down menu options that will match your concern.

On the page, see the provided support articles that may help you with your concern. Click See contact options if further assistance is needed.

On the next page, select either Chat online or Request a call option then follow or enter the needed details.

Smwutches

Xbox files are not meant to be seen by a PC so you wouldn't be able to copy them on a PC.

You should be able to plug both into the console and in Settings you can manage your storage devices and move/copy files to the larger drive.

ArminatorX

How do you move a movie file to the internal hard drive?

The Xbox usually can't store media files on it's internal storage.

Instead, why don't you just attach an USB drive with all your movies to the console and play them from the USB drive? You can manage your movies much easier that way on your PC/Laptop, and just plug in the USB hard drive, and play your movies on the console
from there. No need to copy, move and manage your movies from the limited Xbox interface.

Why is Xbox file management on PC trash?