Updated November 3, 2026. Eligibility and redemption details checked against Microsoft’s published offer terms.
Microsoft is offering 25 free Xbox games with qualifying new Windows PC purchases in the United States. The promotion is called the 25 Years of Xbox Bundle, and you claim it in the Microsoft Store.
There is understandable confusion. In an Xbox Ally discussion, owners ask which devices qualify, why the offer is missing, and whether they need Game Pass. Here is what to check before buying or trying to redeem it.
Who qualifies for the 25 free Xbox games?
Use Microsoft’s official offer terms to check your specific purchase. These are the main requirements:
| Requirement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Location and age | You must be in the United States and at least 13. Individual game age restrictions still apply. |
| Eligible hardware | Select new PCs and handhelds supplied with Windows Home. The Windows Pro exception is qualifying NVIDIA RTX Spark hardware. |
| Seller | A participating authorized US retailer or OEM. Purchases from unauthorized sellers and online marketplaces are excluded. |
| Condition | A new purchase. Refurbished, open-box, previously returned and demonstration units do not qualify. |
| Purchase and activation | Both must fall between November 2 and December 31, 2026, while qualifying supplies last. |
| Microsoft account | Use the same account to activate the PC and claim the bundle. There is one bundle per account. |
Check the exact model and seller before ordering. An older model bought new can qualify if it meets the offer rules; upgrading Windows on a PC you already own is not a new PC purchase.
The dates you need to know
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| November 2, 2026 | Qualifying purchases and activations begin. |
| November 30, 2026 | The latest date Microsoft says the bundle will appear on eligible devices. |
| December 31, 2026 | The purchase and activation window ends. |
| February 12, 2027 | The deadline to claim the games. |
Microsoft’s holiday PC announcement describes the promotion. The detailed terms use UTC deadlines: purchase and activation close at 11:59:59 p.m. UTC on December 31, and claims close at 11:59:59 p.m. UTC on February 12. Allow for your local time zone.
How to claim the Xbox bundle
After activating a qualifying PC, follow the official redemption instructions on that device:
- Sign in with the Microsoft account used to activate the eligible PC.
- Open Microsoft Store.
- Choose Library > Included with device.
- Find 25 Years of Xbox Bundle.
- Check the account carefully, then select Claim.
Claiming adds the game licenses to that account. You can then choose which titles to install from your library; you do not have to download every game at once.
On a supported handheld that starts in the Xbox full-screen experience, first exit to the Windows desktop. Then open Microsoft Store and follow the same steps. The control for returning to the desktop varies by device.
Why is the 25 Years of Xbox Bundle missing?
As of November 3, a missing offer does not automatically mean a fault. Microsoft says eligible devices will receive it by November 30. Work through these checks:
- Confirm eligibility. Check the purchase date, activation date, seller, region, and exact PC model against the terms.
- Check the account. Make sure Microsoft Store is using the account that activated the PC.
- Allow for rollout. If you qualify, check again before the November 30 availability deadline.
- Check the Store itself. If the app is malfunctioning, close and reopen it and install available Store and Windows updates.
Microsoft’s Store troubleshooting guide covers app problems. Updating the app can address a technical fault, but it does not change the promotion’s eligibility rules.
If the bundle is still absent after November 30 and your purchase qualifies, contact Microsoft Support or the participating seller. Have the receipt, model details and account information ready for the official support process.
Which 25 games are included?
Microsoft’s Xbox bundle FAQ lists the following titles:
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
- Minecraft Dungeons
- Gears of War: Reloaded
- Call of Duty: WWII
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- Fallout 76
- DOOM
- DOOM II
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition
- Age of Mythology: Retold
- Quake
- Quake II
- Wolfenstein: The New Order
- The Outer Worlds
- Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
- As Dusk Falls
- Battletoads
- Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
- Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection
- Fuzion Frenzy
- Gears Tactics
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
- BLINX: The Time Sweeper
Check each title’s Store page for hardware, storage, and age requirements before installing. Receiving the bundle does not mean every game will run well on the PC that qualified.
Can you play them on another PC, Xbox or Steam?
Use the claiming Microsoft account on another compatible Windows PC to access your games. The account keeps the licenses; the hardware still needs to meet each game’s requirements.
For consoles, look for the Xbox Play Anywhere badge. Supported titles can be played across compatible PCs, Xbox consoles and Windows handhelds with the same account. Do not assume that every title in the bundle includes console access.
You can also add supported Microsoft Store games to Steam as shortcuts. This keeps the original license and launcher requirements. It does not turn the bundle into Steam keys or add Steam-specific achievements.
Once a game is installed, our guide to connecting a controller to a Windows PC explains USB, Bluetooth, and compatibility checks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Game Pass to claim or play the games?
No active Game Pass subscription is required to claim bundle games successfully. A Game Pass trial included with a PC is a separate offer. Individual games can have additional online or multiplayer requirements.
Does a PC bought before November 2 qualify?
The published purchase window starts on November 2, 2026. An earlier purchase does not meet that requirement. Check your receipt and ask the participating retailer about your specific order.
Can I claim the bundle outside the United States?
This promotion is limited to qualifying US purchases and activation in the United States. Owning the same device model in another country does not make you eligible.
Can I split or transfer the games to another account?
No. You claim all 25 together on the activation account. Microsoft does not allow you to split the bundle between accounts or transfer it.
Do I lose the claimed games when Game Pass ends?
The bundle licenses are separate from Game Pass. Ending that subscription does not, by itself, remove games you validly claimed through this promotion.
What happens if I return the qualifying PC?
Microsoft may revoke promotional benefits after a return, cancellation, or ineligible purchase. Check the offer terms and the retailer’s return policy before relying on the bundle.