Skip to main content

Off-the-grid gaming: Microsoft shows you how to play Windows Store games offline

windows store games playable offline 10 review gaming
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Recently, we’ve seen Microsoft pay much more attention to PC gamers than it has in the past. Now, the company has offered up some guidelines for anyone looking to play games purchased via the Windows Store without an internet connection.

Unfortunately, this functionality comes with a couple of major caveats, as detailed in a guide posted to the official Xbox website. Users will have to select one system as their designated offline device, and they’ll have to carry out some set-up ahead of time to ensure that offline play works properly when it’s required.

Recommended Videos

The first step is to ensure that the desired device has the latest Windows updates. Then, users should head to the Store, click on their personal icon, and select Settings, before toggling the switch labeled Offline Permissions to “On.”

Next, it’s time to prepare individual games for offline play — this isn’t very time-consuming, but it does need to be done while the device is still connected to the internet. Users need to open up the game in question, and sign into Xbox Live with their account. Once you can actually start playing the game, you’re free to exit at any time.

Do this for each game that you want to play while offline. You’ll then be able to go offline on your designated device and open them without having to sign in every time.

Certain games might not support offline play functionality, and of course network features like online multiplayer will be unavailable without an internet connection. Still, it’s good to see Microsoft offering these features, and attempting to make Windows 10 a more robust gaming platform. Anyone taking a long trip with a gaming laptop will certainly be thankful for the ability to play their games offline.

Brad Jones
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
Windows 11 tips and tricks: 8 hidden settings you need to try
Windows 11 on a tablet.

Windows 11 has been around for quite a while now. The operating system isn't as new as when it first came out in 2021, but many people are still updating it for the first time from Windows 10. Yet whether you read a Windows 11 review and just installed it, or have been using it since launch, there are a few things that you still might want to tweak to get a better experience. Microsoft doesn't have all these settings upfront, but we're here to surface them for you.
Move the Taskbar and Start Menu to the left

One of the biggest differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 is the location of the Taskbar and Start Menu. On Windows 10, the Taskbar and Start Menu are positioned to the left of the screen. Windows 11, though, changes that by moving both to the center. If this annoys you, then you can easily change it back.

Read more
Microsoft announces a new threat to push people to Windows 11
Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating system logos are displayed on laptop screens.

Microsoft is sharing more details of its plans to transition customers still using Windows 10 from a free offering to a paid structure if they wish to continue receiving security updates.

The company is phasing out the legacy operating system, which will reach its end-of-life support on October 14, 2025. After this, Microsoft will begin charging enterprise users a monthly fee for Extended Security Updates (ESU). Businesses must purchase an ESU license for all Windows 10 devices in order to maintain security support beyond the cutoff date.

Read more
How to adjust screen resolution in Windows 11 and older
microsoft surface laptop go review featured image

You're not actually stuck with the screen resolution setting your Windows PC came with. In addition to tons of other device personalization options, screen resolutions are customizable on Windows PCs. And adjusting the screen resolution on your Windows machine is easier than you think. All it takes is a quick trip to your Settings app or Control Panel (depending on which version of Windows you're running) and a few clicks and you're on your way to an easier-to-view screen.

Here, we'll show you how to adjust screen resolutions for Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7 PCs.
In Windows 11
Step 1: Navigate to the Windows 11 Settings app.

Read more