Games for Windows Live on Windows 11: Can You Still Use It?

Games for Windows Live has been discontinued

by Claire Moraa
Claire Moraa
Claire Moraa
Author
Claire likes to think she's got a knack for solving problems and improving the quality of life for those around her. Driven by the forces of rationality, curiosity,... read more
Reviewed by Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Windows Server & Networking Expert
After moving away from the corporate work-style, Alex has found rewards in a lifestyle of constant analysis, team coordination and pestering his colleagues. Holding an MCSA Windows Server... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • The Games for Windows Live service was discontinued and is no longer available as a subscription service.
  • However, certain games will continue to function without it on older versions of Windows but with a high crash rate.

XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE
To fix various PC problems, we recommend Restoro PC Repair Tool:
This software will repair common computer errors, protect you from file loss, malware, hardware failure and optimize your PC for maximum performance. Fix PC issues and remove viruses now in 3 easy steps:

  1. Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
  2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
  3. Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer's security and performance
  • Restoro has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.

Games for Windows Live was a service and software developed by Microsoft. It allowed players to use their Xbox Live account on the PC. The service had run for a few years before Microsoft opted for the Xbox GamePass.

Microsoft is constantly updating its services and products to meet today’s gamers’ needs. With Windows 11 being rated as the best gaming OS yet, it would be a disservice to still rely on a platform that has not been updated in so long.

Can you still use games for Windows Live?

The service allowed users to create profiles that displayed information about the user, such as their name, age, and location. They could also play games online, chat with other people playing the same game and join communities dedicated to specific games. 

In addition to playing games online, Games for Windows Live also allowed players to create profiles. The profiles displayed information about themselves and their friends within the game. Its last major update was over a decade ago. 

Some of the Windows Live games are still online, but there are many more that have been removed from the web entirely. 

Is it worth it to use Games for Windows Live?

Though it’s not officially supported, some users have figured out how to still use Games for Windows Live. If you’re feeling sentimental and want to play a section of these games, you’ll be happy to know that the servers are still up, and you can download Games for Windows Live. 

What you need to ask yourself is whether it’s worth it. Microsoft discontinued its support in 2014, and the games will likely crash frequently. There’s no fun in playing a game if you’ll be constantly interrupted unless you choose to play offline, which will limit the available features.

In addition, there is no official download link for the program, which is another red flag as some unofficial sites can’t be trusted. 

Further, a good number of games that were on the Windows Live service have since been moved to Steam. There’s also no mention of Games for Windows Live in Windows 11 support. 

With today’s modern game requirements, it’s much better to play on regularly updated platforms such as Steam to avoid crashes and glitches. 

All is not lost, as you can still play old games on your Windows 11 without hiccups. You can also add Xbox games to Steam. Therefore, there’s no shortage of games or platforms. You have to embrace the new changes.

That’s about it, but we’d love to continue the conversation in the comments section below. Share your thoughts on Games for Windows Live and how it compares to Steam or any other service you use.

Still having issues? Fix them with this tool:

SPONSORED

If the advices above haven't solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.

This article covers:Topics: