Change Xbox Game Pass Install Location On PC: A Quick Guide

Hey guys! Ever wondered if you could change the default installation directory for your Xbox Game Pass games on PC? Well, you're in luck! It's totally possible, and I'm here to walk you through it. This is super useful if you're running out of space on your primary drive or just want to keep your games organized on a separate SSD. Let's dive into how you can customize where your games live.

Why Change the Default Installation Directory?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's quickly cover why you might want to do this. The most common reason is disk space. Maybe your C: drive is filling up fast with Windows and other applications, and you don't want your games to bog it down. Installing games on a separate drive, especially an SSD, can also improve loading times and overall performance. Plus, some of us are just organizational freaks and like having everything neatly arranged! Keeping your games separate from your OS can also make backups and system maintenance a bit easier. For instance, if you need to reinstall Windows, your games remain untouched on another drive, saving you the hassle of re-downloading everything. So, whether it's about speed, space, or just plain organization, changing the default install location is a smart move for many PC gamers. Another factor to consider is the type of game. Games with large open worlds or detailed graphics often benefit more from being installed on an SSD due to the faster data access speeds. This can reduce stuttering, improve texture loading, and generally provide a smoother gaming experience. Also, managing multiple drives can give you better control over your storage. You can dedicate one drive specifically for gaming and another for your operating system and other software. This separation can help optimize your system’s performance and make troubleshooting easier.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the Installation Directory

Okay, let's get down to business. Here’s how you can change the default install location for your Xbox Game Pass games. Follow these steps carefully, and you'll be all set in no time!

Step 1: Open the Settings App

First things first, you need to open the Settings app on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. You can do this by clicking on the Start button and then clicking on the gear icon, or by pressing the Windows key + I. Either way works just fine!

Step 2: Navigate to Storage Settings

Once you're in the Settings app, click on "System." In the System settings, look for "Storage" on the left-hand side and click on it. This is where you'll find all the options related to your storage devices.

Step 3: Change where new content is saved

In the Storage settings, scroll down until you see a link that says "Change where new content is saved" and click on it. This will take you to a new page where you can specify where different types of content should be saved by default.

Step 4: Set the New Save Location for Apps

On the "Change where new content is saved" page, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled "New apps will save to." Use this dropdown to select the drive where you want your Xbox Game Pass games to be installed. This should be a different drive from your default C: drive, preferably one with enough free space. Choose wisely, my friends!

Step 5: Apply the Changes

After selecting the new drive, click the "Apply" button. This will set the selected drive as the default location for all new apps, including Xbox Game Pass games. Now, any game you download from the Xbox Game Pass will automatically be installed on this drive.

Step 6: Verify the Change

To make sure everything is working as expected, you can try downloading a small game from the Xbox Game Pass. Check the installation path to confirm that it's being installed on the drive you selected. If it is, then you're good to go! If not, double-check the settings and make sure you've followed all the steps correctly.

Moving Already Installed Games

What about the games you've already installed? Don't worry; you don't have to re-download them. You can move them to the new location using Windows settings.

Step 1: Go to Apps & Features

Open the Settings app again and this time, click on "Apps." Then, select "Apps & Features" from the left-hand menu. This will display a list of all the apps installed on your PC.

Step 2: Find the Game You Want to Move

Scroll through the list of apps until you find the game you want to move. Click on the game, and you should see an "Move" option. If you don’t see the move option, the game might not support being moved this way, in which case you may need to uninstall and reinstall it.

Step 3: Select the New Drive

Click on the "Move" button, and a dialog box will appear asking you to select the new drive. Choose the drive where you want to move the game and click "Move" again. Windows will then start moving the game files to the new location. This might take some time, depending on the size of the game, so be patient.

Step 4: Verify the Move

Once the move is complete, check the new location to make sure the game files are there. You can also launch the game to ensure it's working correctly. If everything is fine, then congratulations! You've successfully moved your game to a new location.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to fix them.

Issue 1: The "Move" Option Is Missing

As mentioned earlier, some games don't support being moved using the Windows settings. In this case, you'll have to uninstall the game and then reinstall it on the new drive. It's a bit of a hassle, but it's the only way to move these games.

Issue 2: Installation Fails on the New Drive

If you're having trouble installing games on the new drive, make sure the drive is properly formatted and has enough free space. Also, check the drive for any errors or bad sectors. You can use the Windows Disk Check tool to scan the drive for errors and fix them.

Issue 3: Game Performance Issues After Moving

If you notice performance issues after moving a game, make sure the drivers for your graphics card are up to date. Also, check the game settings to ensure they're optimized for your hardware. Sometimes, moving a game can cause it to reset its settings, so you might need to adjust them again.

Issue 4: Permissions Issues

Occasionally, you might run into permissions issues when trying to install or move games to a new drive. To fix this, you can try taking ownership of the drive. Right-click on the drive in File Explorer, select "Properties," go to the "Security" tab, click "Advanced," and then change the owner to your user account. Make sure to replace all child object permissions as well.

Tips for Managing Your Game Installations

Here are a few extra tips to help you manage your game installations like a pro:

• Use an SSD for demanding games: As we discussed earlier, SSDs can significantly improve loading times and overall performance for games with large open worlds or detailed graphics.
• Keep your drivers updated: Outdated drivers can cause performance issues and compatibility problems. Make sure to keep your graphics card and other hardware drivers up to date.
• Monitor your storage space: Regularly check your storage space to make sure you're not running out of room. You can use the Windows Storage Sense feature to automatically clean up temporary files and other unnecessary data.
• Organize your games: Create folders for different types of games (e.g., RPGs, shooters, strategy games) to keep everything organized. This can make it easier to find the games you're looking for.
• Consider Cloud Storage: Services like OneDrive or Google Drive can be useful for backing up game saves and configurations. This ensures you won't lose your progress if something happens to your local storage.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Changing the installation directory for your Xbox Game Pass games on PC is a simple process that can help you optimize your storage and improve your gaming experience. Whether you're running out of space on your C: drive or just want to keep your games organized, this guide has got you covered. Follow the steps carefully, and you'll be gaming on your terms in no time! Happy gaming, everyone! Remember to always back up your important data before making significant changes to your system. And if you run into any issues, don't hesitate to ask for help in the comments below. We're all here to support each other and make the most of our gaming experiences.