Microsoft’s Xbox One console has a lot to do, but portability isn’t one of them. You can move it from TV to TV, but you can’t just sit anywhere in your house hoping to enjoy the latest games. Living room game consoles don’t work like that. At least, that’s not how they used to work. Users can stream Xbox One games to their Windows 10 devices and free their favorite games from the confines of the living room.
Windows 10 and Xbox One are tightly linked. The operating system has a companion application that connects directly to the Xbox Live service. The option to port Xbox One games to Windows 10 came early in the app’s life, as Microsoft tried to highlight the advantages of video game console and popular operating system all running one version of the same software.
To read: Playing Xbox Games on Windows 10: Everything You Need to Know
Here’s how to transfer Xbox One games to Windows 10.
Stream Xbox One Games to Windows 10: What You Need
Streaming Xbox One games to Windows 10 isn’t difficult. No need to change settings on your router or upgrade your Xbox One console. What you need to do is have some basic accessories and software to get you started.
Start by checking your computer to make sure Windows 10 is installed. Microsoft launched a free upgrade program for Windows 8 and Windows 7 users last year. To search Settings app in your Start Menu. tap or click systemThen About. If you don’t have it, you can’t transfer Xbox One games to Windows 10 without paying Microsoft for a software upgrade. Xbox app with game streaming is only available on Windows 10.
Microsoft says that game streaming requires at least 4GB of RAM and a 1.5GHz processor.
To read: 4 Reasons to Buy Xbox One S and 3 Reasons Not to Buy
You will need other things besides the operating system and hardware. To stream Xbox One games to Windows 10, both the Xbox One and the device running Windows 10 must be on the same network. For best results, you’ll want the Xbox One connected directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. Microsoft officially doesn’t give users a way to stream Xbox One games to Windows 10 when they’re away from home.
To read: Xbox One Review – Early 2016
Finally, you will need an Xbox One Controller. Any Xbox One Controller will do, as long as you have a MicroUSB cable to connect the controller directly to your PC. You can bypass the microUSB cable with the $24.99 Xbox One Wireless Adapter. The new Xbox One Controller that ships with the Xbox One S supports Bluetooth, allowing you to bypass both the cable and the adapter.
Transfer Xbox One Games to Windows 10
Start by connecting your Xbox One Controller to your Windows PC.
This process differs depending on the controller you are using and how you are connecting it. Using a MicroUSB cable should instantly pair the two. You’ll need to plug in the Xbox One Wireless Adapter and then press and hold the pairing buttons on the side and on your controller if you’re connecting the two that way. Bluetooth pairing for the Xbox One S Wireless Controller is done via: Settings under application devices and Bluetooth Menu. Make sure you press and hold the pairing button on your Xbox One S Controller.
Once your controller is successfully connected to your Windows 10 PC, go ahead and open the Xbox app. Tap or click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen to open Start. The Xbox app may be pinned to the right. If not, search in All Apps list.
When you first open the Xbox App, you will be greeted with a welcome screen. We’ve opened ours before so we’ve already passed it. If you get the welcome screen, tap or click . let’s Play. Next, click or tap on Xbox One Connection tile on the left.
Now wait for your Xbox One to appear in the list of consoles your computer sees. tap or click Connect. You will be connected to your console in a few seconds.
Tap or click now transfer.
After a few moments, your Xbox app on Windows 10 should start talking to your Xbox One.
Tap or click anywhere when you start transferring Xbox One games to Windows for a few options. The button in the top left allows you to change the quality of the stream. This is useful if your network is not fast enough to support full fidelity streaming. You can also turn off the stream at any time.
That is all. Grab your Xbox One Controller and you’re ready to play your game directly from your Windows 10 PC.
Again, the speed of your router and connections determines how reliably you can stream Xbox One games to Windows 10. If your router is older and slower, you will encounter hiccups. Also, keep in mind that you cannot stream in the background while someone is already watching TV or listening to music on your console.
