Xbox Game Pass on PC: How to Access Hundreds of Games on Your Windows Computer

Xbox Game Pass for PC (sometimes called PC Game Pass) is a subscription service from Microsoft that gives you access to a library of over 100 PC games for a monthly fee. Think of it like Netflix, but for video games — you pay a flat monthly price and can download and play any game in the library as long as your subscription is active. When you stop subscribing, those games are no longer accessible, but your progress and save files are usually kept if you resubscribe later.

The service is particularly good value if you enjoy trying many different games rather than buying individual titles. Games in the library range from major releases — including all new games from Microsoft's own studios on their launch day — to smaller independent games. The library changes over time, with games being added and occasionally removed.

To use Game Pass on a PC, you need a Microsoft account (the same account you might use for Outlook email, OneDrive, or Windows itself) and the Xbox app installed on your computer. The Xbox app is available free from the Microsoft Store and acts as the launcher for all your Game Pass games. You can also find and manage your subscription through the Xbox website.

There are different subscription tiers. PC Game Pass covers only PC games. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate covers PC games, console games (if you own an Xbox), and includes Xbox Cloud Gaming — a feature that lets you stream certain games to your PC without downloading them. Prices change periodically, so check the official Xbox website for current pricing.

An internet connection is required to download games and to verify your active subscription each time you play. Games must be downloaded to your computer's storage — streaming is available for some but not all titles.