Windows 11 XBOX app games stuck at "Preparing (0%)" when installing

rechigo · Dec 23, 2021

I have been trying to fix this for the past 8 hours and still cannot fix it, no matter what app I try to install from the xbox store, it just sits at preparing and does NOTHING.

I have installed all windows updates, nothing

tried resetting the data for the xbox app, windows store, gaming services, nothing

tried removing xbox app, windows store, gaming services, nothing

tried rebooting pc several times, nothing

Everything on here I have tried: Can't Install Forza Horizon 5 on Windows 11? Here's How to Fix it - Appuals.com

This is a FRESH install of windows 11 straight out of the box and already this app wont work (No surprise here, this has been around for months). I've had this issue several times on about 90% of the machines I've used, I've been able to fix it up until now. I am a paying customer and the fact that this issue is so prevalant even months later after it first started appearing is absolutely ridiculous. Microsoft can't even write apps that function correctly for their own operating system, what an absolute joke. I'm about to cancel my subscription if this is not fixed soon, absolutely ridiculous.

:)

TheTukoX

Thanks, the Powershell command actually did it for me! (get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-Appxpackage –allusers)

The downloads still get stuck in the "Preparing" status for a good 2-3 minutes, but I can see files being downloaded in the folder I selected for installation.

I spent around 3 hours today troubleshooting to get my games installed on Windows 11 and a new drive.

Lessons learned:

- I couldn't switch the installation folder in the Xbox app, despite having it changed in Settings > General to have my E: drive as the target, whenever I tried to install a game it would only display C:\XboxGames as the available destination (had to delete 2 registry keys to get it working: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ then deleted GamingServices and GamingServicesNet

- Xbox app does not allow at all for your games to be installed in a non-NTFS drive (my Steam/Epic drive was Ex-FAT, had to copy everything out, format the drive, then bring all back in.. very frustrating and annoying)

- Xbox app seems to have some rough edges working on Windows 11, some are related to IP/location - hence many users finding solution in disabling IPV6 or leveraging VPN services if they're out of the US

- In my case, forcing the reinstall of the GamingServices package worked

Hopefully the devs will find ways to deliver a more "works out of the box" gaming app. GamePass is a great service and I'm really confused on why so little care has been given to the Xbox App on PC. =(

tuanthuphap

Hi everyone,

I had the same problem. Then I tried using app to change VPN. It worked with maximum download speed. And I also tried disabling IPv6 the way the other person commented.

edwinisdenim

Try using a VPN to start the download.

Close the Xbox App open VPN and start the download. It might take around 5 minutes for the game to properly display that it's downloading but that's what's working for me right now while we wait for a proper fix...

I am not sure if this is the exact thing that worked for me, but I did activate VPN and immediately the game started to download. I suppose you guys can give it a try on this method. All the best, fellas!

philt6

Just been tearing my hair out with the same problem. Disabled ipv6 and suddenly something is happening. Not keen on leaving ipv6 off though - this needs a proper fix!

Idylla

This is an interesting idea - I'll give it a go next time - although I have tried hotspot previously and that was no good either

Windows 11 XBOX app games stuck at "Preparing (0%)" when installing