Cannot reinstall game pass games after OS clean install

EmanueleCr. · Feb 16, 2021

Hello. I subscribed to game pass for PC and have been enjoying games like Crusader Kings III and Subnautica for a couple of months with no issues at all.

But after a clean reinstall of Windows 10, all the install buttons of the games I used to play with game pass are greyed out, and there is no way to install them. I am able to install and run all the games I actually bought and the ones included with the pass that I had never installed before.

I have enough disk space and my subscription is active. Please somebody help

p.s.: forgive my bad english

:)

Jamie

I mean with other distribution systems on PC like Steam or EA's Origin, you just point them back to the folder where the games are. Unfortunately, for reasons, Microsoft doesn't do it this way. The system probably creates some other files located in the OS itself with a unique encryption hash that can't be migrated that locks out installs being moved or copied. I don't really know. And I don't think backing up a game is possible.

EmanueleCr.

Thank you for your reply. Do you mean that even if I formatted the hard disk, the WindowsApp folder keeps memory of previous installations by referring to my account data? Can the problem be solved by letting the game pass subscription expire and then re-subscribing?

Jamie

This is because the WindowsApps folder is encrypted. This encryption even goes as far as not allowing the folders to be migrated to a new install of Windows on the same machine let alone a new one. The encryption is not removed if you take control of the folder either. Um.. I also believe that this really can't be solved or helped. I'm sorry you are having this problem.

Llamagirl

This has gotten completely and utterly absurd.

I did a clean reinstall of windows 10, and yet somehow The Outer Worlds

STILL. DOES. NOT. LAUNCH.

I give up.

When you stay "It doesn't launch", do you mean you able to download the game and install it but it will not launch after that or you cannot even install the game?

LakelandHokie

None of those worked, several of which I've tried multiple times. After restoring my OS, I even went in and did a clean install of Windows 11, and nothing has really changed. XBox Game Pass for PC games are not installing (I'm currently trying to install Doom Eternal, Gears 5, and Ori), however I've yet again had zero issues installing Far Cry 6 through Ubisoft Connect (previously Epic and Steam games had no issues either). Image of what I'm seeing attached.

Is there anything else I can try, or is there any way after a clean install I can just go back to Windows 10? I'd like to be in Windows 11, but having a Microsoft OS that doesn't let me play or install from a Microsoft platform is totally unacceptable, and I'm hoping I don't have to just cancel my Game Pass membership.

Cannot reinstall game pass games after OS clean install