For a long time now, the Xbox app on Windows has been offering a rather locked experience when it comes to downloading and installing games from the Microsoft Store. Previously, other than changing installation drives, access to game files or even selecting a specific folder to install has not been available.
Microsoft's plans to implement these missing features to the app surfaced last year, followed by a lengthy Insider program that slowly rolled them out for testing. Now, the capabilities are available to everyone on PC without needing to enroll as an Insider.
Selecting a game to download on the latest version of the Xbox app on PC now asks users for a drive and folder in which to install it. Moreover, the files of these titles are also easily accessible through the standard Windows File Explorer with even a separate Repair option available in case of an installation problem or corrupted files.
The upgrade access also means modding is much easier than before for Microsoft Store games, largely mimicking the functionality of other launchers. Of course not all PC games support the feature.
Games already installed using the older method can be converted to the new open structure by right clicking them on the Xbox app, clicking 'Manage' and then 'Enable'. The vast majority of games on PC Game Pass support the new system.
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