Locate games already installed

MagnumSky · Jul 19, 2022

So I did a system wipe recently and I can't find a way to make the Xbox app locate games already installed. They were installed on my F drive and are still there. I don't feel like redownloading 4 games, especially Flight Sim.

:)

Lucas Lauer

I understand your frustration and really respect your decision. If you need any further assistance, please let me know.

MagnumSky

I have 500mb that doesn't mean I should have to redownload a game when I already have it. Origin, Steam Uplay, Battlenet Epic Games Store, etc don't do it. The store is really bad in comparison to the rest of the ones I named. Also what if you want to upgrade your drive or you main drive fails how backwards is the way they're doing it

Tezzerrific

Microsoft don't own activision yet, not until summer 2023 at the earliest, even then it could fall through.

and if it goes through i guarantee they move everything to the xbox app and ditch the battlenet app.

most of the windows store games are in encrypted windows app folders, the encryption breaks when you format or change ownership of the folders this is their kind of drm, they are using changeable folders for some games now but still glitchy if you wipe the system.

most internet connections today including mine can redownload 200GB of data in less than 2 hours.

MagnumSky

Thanks, Lucas No offense but the fact it doesn't do that is pretty bad compared to other launchers. Hopefully someone over there will move everything over to the battlenet launcher since ms owns it. It's a much better app than the Xbox launcher. Just change the name from battlenet to Xbox launcher and scrap the other the current one far too many issues.

Again thanks but downloading over 200gbs no thanks

Lucas Lauer

Hello, MagnumSky. Thanks for reaching out! My name is Lucas. I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user just like you. I'll be happy to assist you today.

Unfortunately, you will need to download and install your games again. While I don't think there is any official statement about this, but all Xbox app games have the game license/ownership/installation information on the operational system drive - or on the computer registry.

So if you format your computer, the Xbox app will not recognize games installed on another partition/drive. The same happens if you install your games on an external storage using one computer and then try to play them on another computer using the same external storage - it will not work.

I'm sorry about this and I hope you understand. Feel free to ask back any questions.

Locate games already installed