You can use the Xbox app for Windows to purchase, manage, or play PC games. You can also access the Game Pass through this app, which grants you access to more than 100 games with a monthly subscription.
There are many great games available on the Xbox app. However, slow download speeds can be a problem. You can find yourself waiting patiently for a game, no matter how fast your internet connection.
We’ve collected all the troubleshooting steps that you can take to speed up your downloads of the Xbox app for Windows. You should be able to increase your speed by taking each step in turn.
1. Restart the App
This is the most basic advice, but it’s worth the effort: Restart the Xbox app. It’s amazing how often just turning it off and on again can solve the problem.
The default way to close the Xbox app is to minimize it to your tray. To close the app completely, right-click on the Xbox icon in your tray. Click Quit.
Restarting the entire computer is also a good idea. This will clear your system cache and close any programs that aren’t open at start-up.
2. Clear Your Network
It is important to ensure that slow downloads of the Xbox app are not indicative of a larger network problem. To check your internet speed, visit Fast.com. If you get a result that is not comparable to what you are paying, your ISP may be able to help you.
This can be done by you. You can reset the router. Just pull the plug and wait for a while before plugging it back in.
Also, you should stop all other activities on your network. You shouldn’t stream Netflix or download anything on your browser at the same time as the Xbox app. Your bandwidth is divided between these tasks and you should only focus on downloading the game.
Keep in mind that the Xbox app is unlikely to download games at the speed of your ISP. This is due to factors such as your distance from Microsoft’s servers or how congested they may be.
3. Opt out of the Xbox Insider Program
The Xbox Insider Program gives you early access and bug fixes to the Xbox app. It can also cause instability and slow down your download speeds.
You should unsubscribe from the Xbox Insider Program if you don’t feel it is helping you. If you don’t like the results, you can always join it again.
To opt out from the Xbox Insider Program
- Click on the Xbox app’s top left to access your username.
- Select Xbox Insider Program.
- Select Previews from the left menu.
- Beneath Joined, select Windows Gaming.
- Click Manage.
- Click To view the preview
- Click Continue to confirm your action.
- Restart the Xbox App.
4. Do not allow downloads from other PCs
Windows has a setting called Delivery Optimization that is intended to increase the speed and reliability of Windows updates, Microsoft Store app update updates, and Xbox game downloads.
This feature allows you to grab the Microsoft download files as well as other computers that are downloading the files. Each part of the download is divided, and each part is pulled from the most reliable and fastest download source.
Although Delivery Optimization is a good idea, some users have reported that it slows down the Xbox app’s game downloads. It’s worth trying it out.
- To open Settings, press the Windows key + I
- Select Security.
- Select Delivery Optimization from the left menu.
- Slide Downloads from other computers to Off
Users have reported that this feature increases their download speeds. If this feature is disabled on your system already, you can try switching On instead. Select computers on my local network and computers on the Internet.
5. Reduce Bandwidth Limits
Windows automatically optimizes your bandwidth for downloading games from the Xbox App. If you have a data plan, you can limit the bandwidth Windows uses.
Some users found that Windows was incorrectly restricting their bandwidth, despite their settings indicating otherwise. This can be fixed by following these steps:
- To open Settings, press Windows key + I
- Select Security.
- Select Delivery Optimization from the left menu.
- Click Advanced options.
- Select Percentage measured bandwidth (measured against update source)
- Set the sliders to by checking both boxes.
This tells Windows that it will not apply limits. However, some users may encounter a bug in which the slider percentages can be applied regardless of whether the option is selected.
The Microsoft Store is not faster
According to some online advice, you can download faster through the Microsoft Store. This is false. The two apps actually download at the exact same speed. The difference is that one shows the speed in megabits and the other in megabytes. Although the numbers may appear to be different, the actual download speed is the same.
This problem will not occur if you are using the most recent version of the Microsoft Store. This is because the Microsoft Store directs you to the Xbox App to complete your purchase, and initiate the download.
Spend less time downloading and more time gaming
It can be very frustrating to try a new game, only to end up spending hours downloading it. You shouldn’t let this happen. With any luck, these tips will resolve the problem and you can download the Xbox app at the correct speed.
The Xbox app is your portal to the Xbox Game Pass. It is a great way to save money and it’s more affordable than buying the entire collection.
