Microsoft has finally allowed games from the Windows Store to be installed to any folder that can be freely accessed. The software behemoth began testing this functionality last year, and it is now available in the Xbox for all Windows 10 and Windows 11 users.
This will vastly improve the game installation process from the Windows Store, allowing PC gamers to install titles into any folder of their choosing while maintaining full access to game files. It should address the numerous issues associated with installing games from PC Game Pass, and Windows users should be able to backup and restore game files in the future.
Image Source – Twitter
Previously, Microsoft required Windows users to install PC games from its app store into a dedicated WindowsApps folder at the drive’s root. While additional storage drives were supported, you couldn’t install games into any folder you wanted, nor could you freely move or modify files.
You won’t have to reinstall any of your existing games to take advantage of this update. You can enable the new installation and game management features by right-clicking on games in the Xbox app and selecting manage. Any future games you install will give you the option of putting them in a specific folder.
These changes will also allow you to mod more games from the Windows Store, making the Xbox app feel a lot more like Steam. The new Xbox app update is now available in the Windows Store.
