Xbox Play Anywhere – How to Update to Windows 10 Anniversary

If you’re looking forward to Xbox exclusive games like ReCore and upcoming racer, Forza Horizon 3, but you want to take advantage of the Xbox Play Anywhere capability, you’re going to need to make sure your Windows PC is upgraded to the latest version of Microsoft’s flagship OS. Called Windows 10 Anniversary Edition, you’ll need to upgrade and install this new version to unlock the ability to play games like Forza Horizon 3 and other Xbox Play Anywhere titles on your PC. We’ve written up this quick guide to help you get this upgrade taken care of, so you can play your games anywhere you want.

Using Windows Update

The easiest way to update is to go through the normal Microsoft process. This means using the Windows Updates and Security setting. To do this, simply open up your settings on your computer, navigate to the Updates and Security area, and then click the Check for updates button. You should be greeted with a long line of updates that your computer is missing, and the download will begin immediately. Once the download completed, you’ll be granted a nice restart option, which you’ll want to go ahead and schedule as soon as you can.

Install with the Media Creation Tool

If for some reason you can’t update via the Windows Update system (the update didn’t show up for us at first), then you always have the option of updating the old fashioned way using the Windows Media Creation Tool. This special software basically works like a Windows install disk, meaning you’ll need to download the Media Creation Tool, burn the software to a disc, and then insert the disc into your computer’s disc drive to get started. It’s a bit more complicated than just updating via the Update and Security option we listed first, so make sure to try that method before moving on to this one.

Once you have the Windows install disc booted up, select Upgrade this PC now, then follow the steps outlined in the application to continue. Make sure you check Keep personal files and apps if you don’t want a fresh install, otherwise you’ll have to set your Windows 10 up all over again. Finally, once you’ve finished going through all the screens, press the Install button to get started. Be warned, your computer might restart a few times during the process. Just be patient and it will take care of all the hard work.

Via the Insider Program

If you’re like us at all, and you like to see the things that Microsoft is working on before they release to the public, then chances are you’re stuck in the Windows Insider Program. While the new update has been out for quite a while, and the chances of you not having it installed are low, we thought we’d still provide some course of action to make sure you have the latest version of the Windows 10 software. This means you’ll need to back out of your Insider status completely, to make sure you have downloaded the most stable version available to the public.

To do this, head into your computer settings and locate the Update and Security section. Now navigate to the Windows Insider Program tab, and choose the Stop Insider Preview builds option. You’ll need to click the ‘Need to stop getting Insider builds completely?’ link, then confirm it and restart your computer. This will unenroll you from the Insider Program, which you can join again at any time later down the road.

These are the three best ways to get the Windows 10 Anniversary edition and make sure your computer is prepared for the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative. Players who purchase games like ReCore and Forza Horizon 3 will not be able to enjoy them on their Windows 10 PC until they have updated to the latest version of the Windows 10 software. The initial rollout for this update began on August 2, but some users may not have received the update quite yet, due to the world wide rollout working slowly. If you are uncomfortable updating via the Insider Program or the Media Creation Tool, please be patient and wait for the upgrades to appear in your Windows Update area.