What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
To change where new Xbox games are installed on a Windows PC, open the Xbox app, select your profile picture, choose Settings, open General, and change the default game-installation drive and folder. The Xbox app may label this control “Change where this app installs games by default”.
If “download settings” means a speed limit or peer-to-peer downloading rather than storage location, use Windows 11’s Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization. That is a separate Windows control and does not replace the Xbox app’s installation setting.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What Xbox “download settings” can mean
Xbox users usually mean one of two unrelated settings when they search for download options:
- Installation location: the drive and folder where a newly installed PC game is stored.
- Network delivery: bandwidth limits and whether Windows can exchange download data with other PCs.
The Xbox app controls the first item. Windows Delivery Optimization controls the second. Changing one does not automatically change the other, so identify the problem before changing anything.
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
- [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
- [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
- [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
- [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.
For example, moving the default folder to a larger drive can solve a storage-space problem, but it cannot remove a speed restriction. Conversely, changing a Delivery Optimization limit does not tell the Xbox app to use a different drive. The two settings live in different applications and affect different parts of the installation process.
Change the default Xbox game installation location
The following route is the documented example from a Microsoft Q&A answer dated November 23, 2023. Xbox app labels can move or change between releases, but the setting is located under the app’s general settings rather than Windows Update.
- Open the Xbox app on Windows.
- Select your profile picture in the app window.
- Choose Settings.
- Open the General section.
- Find the default installation control. The cited answer calls it “Change where this app installs games by default”.
- Select the destination drive and folder offered by the app, then apply or confirm the change if the app presents a confirmation button.
After the change, start a new installation and read the destination shown in the installation dialog. This is a practical way to confirm which setting the current app is using, especially when the interface wording differs from the documented example.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe folder can be an existing location offered by the app. The same Q&A uses an XboxGames folder on the target drive as an example; that name is not a universal requirement. Use the folder name and path that the current Xbox app accepts.
What this setting changes
The default applies to future installations when the Xbox app is allowed to use its default location. It does not, by itself, relocate every game already installed on another drive. Existing-game management is a separate operation and depends on the game and app version.
Changing the default also does not rewrite a destination that you explicitly choose in a per-install dialog. If the prompt is enabled and you select another offered location for one title, that individual choice can differ from the default used for later installations.
If the setting is missing or worded differently
Do not assume that a differently worded label means the feature has been removed. Look in Profile picture > Settings > General for a drive, folder, or default-installation control. The community answer is practical guidance rather than a current first-party interface specification, so exact wording and the position of the selector may vary.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchUse the function described by the control rather than searching only for one exact sentence. A current release might shorten the label, place a selector beside a general installation heading, or show a confirmation step after you choose a drive. The important distinction is that this is an Xbox-app setting for the default destination, not a Windows network setting.
Choose a location for every game instead
Some versions of the Xbox app offer a per-install prompt. The cited Q&A describes an option named “Ask me for install options on every install”. Its behavior is straightforward:
Rank #2
- 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
- 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
- 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
- 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
- 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
| Choice | What happens | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Prompt enabled | The app asks for an installation choice each time you start a new game installation. | People who regularly switch between drives or want to inspect the destination for every game. |
| Prompt disabled | The app uses the default location without asking each time. | People who want a consistent, hands-off installation path. |
If you want the app to stop asking, turn off the option that asks for install choices on every install. If you want to select a drive for each title, leave the prompt enabled. Check the wording shown in your own app before treating the quoted label as exact current interface text.
This choice is about convenience versus control. A default path reduces repeated decisions when most games belong on the same drive. A prompt is useful when different titles need different destinations or when you want to verify the path before every installation. Neither choice changes network bandwidth or automatically moves games that are already installed.
Recommended Free Tools
Change download bandwidth or peer-sharing behavior in Windows 11
If your concern is a download speed cap, not disk space, use Windows Delivery Optimization. Microsoft describes Delivery Optimization as the Windows service that handles delivery for Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps, and other Microsoft products. It is not an Xbox-only setting.
- Open Windows Settings.
- Select Windows Update.
- Choose Advanced options.
- Open Delivery Optimization.
- Review the available download and upload bandwidth controls and any options governing downloads from or uploads to other PCs.
Windows may present separate controls for limiting download behavior and for allowing downloads from, or uploads to, other PCs. Read the description beside each control and change only the part related to your concern. A setting that limits uploads is not the same as one that limits downloads, and a peer-sharing choice is not the same as a bandwidth cap.
The exact controls can differ by Windows release and policy. If a limit has been configured, adjust that limit according to the choices Windows presents. If the issue is peer sharing, change the setting for obtaining download pieces from other PCs or sharing pieces with them.
What Delivery Optimization does and does not control
Delivery Optimization can affect delivery of Microsoft content beyond Xbox. A change made there may therefore influence Windows updates or Store applications as well as game-related downloads. Conversely, changing the Xbox app’s installation folder has no effect on network bandwidth.
Turning off peer downloads does not block downloads directly from Microsoft, according to Microsoft Support. It changes the use of other PCs as sources or recipients; it is not an offline switch. A download can therefore continue after peer sharing is disabled, because Microsoft remains a possible source.
On a managed Windows PC, available controls can also be limited by device policy. If a setting is unavailable or cannot be changed, use the options that Windows actually exposes instead of assuming that the Xbox app has a hidden equivalent.
If an Xbox download appears locked at 10 Mb/s
“Locked at 10mb/s” is a common way users describe a suspected cap. First determine whether the number is shown by the Xbox app, Windows, or a network monitor, then inspect Delivery Optimization for an active bandwidth restriction. A storage-location change cannot remove a network cap.
Rank #3
- [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
- [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
- [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
- [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
- [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by
Be precise about what the displayed unit represents. The useful question is whether Windows has a configured delivery limit, not whether a particular number appears during one part of a download. Check the setting while the issue is occurring and compare the behavior during another download after any configured restriction has been changed.
Removing a Delivery Optimization limit may not produce a higher rate in every session. The setting governs Windows’ delivery behavior, while the observed rate can still depend on the current download path and service conditions. Microsoft’s documentation does not promise a particular Xbox speed after changing the control, so treat the adjustment as a way to remove a configured restriction, not as a guaranteed speed upgrade.
Move or repair games that are already installed
The default-location control is for choosing where new installations go. Xbox Wire described additional move and repair functions in a November 18, 2021 announcement about advanced installation and management features for Xbox app Insiders.
Where the current app exposes those functions, open the game’s management menu and look for a move or repair action. Availability is conditional: the announcement concerned eligible users and features, and it does not establish that every game, edition, drive, or current Xbox app version has identical controls. If no move command appears, do not assume that changing the default path will migrate the existing files.
A move command and a default-location change solve different problems. Use the default setting when planning future installs; inspect the individual game’s management menu when dealing with an existing installation. A repair command is likewise a game-management action, not a replacement for choosing the default drive.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Troubleshooting the installation-location setting
The app keeps installing to the old drive
- Return to Profile picture > Settings > General and verify the selected default path.
- Check whether the per-install prompt is enabled. If it is, the destination may be selected separately for each game.
- Remember that an already-installed game will remain where it was unless a separate move operation is available.
- Start a new installation and inspect the location shown before confirming, because the current app may use different wording or display the choice in the install flow.
The app says the folder is in use
The Microsoft Q&A question associated with this setting reports an error stating that the default install location cannot be changed while the folder is in use. If you see that message, choose a different folder offered by the app or retry after any active installation or management operation using that location has finished. Do not force a path that the app marks unavailable; the selector is indicating that the folder cannot currently be used for this change.
Changing the folder name alone is not a guaranteed fix. The relevant requirement is that the Xbox app offers the destination as available. If the same location remains unavailable, select another offered destination rather than repeatedly entering a path that the app rejects.
The desired drive or folder is not offered
Use only destinations presented as valid by the Xbox app. A folder that exists in File Explorer is not necessarily accepted as an Xbox game-install location. If the app suggests creating a dedicated folder, an XboxGames folder is one documented example, but the name itself is optional.
This also explains why copying a path from another installation is not sufficient by itself. The Xbox app determines which drives and folders it can use in the current configuration. Select from that list or picker and follow any create-folder prompt it supplies.
Rank #4
- Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
- Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
- All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
- Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
- Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
The install prompt never appears
Open the General settings and check the option referring to install choices on every install. With that prompt disabled, the app is expected to use the default automatically. With it enabled, the app should ask during a new installation; existing installations are not retroactively prompted.
If labels differ, look for the control that describes asking for install options on each installation. Do not confuse a prompt for selecting a game destination with a Windows notification or a Delivery Optimization choice; they are separate features.
Troubleshooting download speed and delivery settings
Changing the folder did not change speed
That result is expected. Installation destination determines storage; it does not set bandwidth. Use Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization for Windows delivery controls.
Turning off peer sharing did not stop the download
Disabling peer downloads does not prevent Windows from downloading directly from Microsoft. It only removes the peer-to-peer part of delivery, so a download can continue.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Closing the app did not immediately end a download
Microsoft Learn’s Delivery Optimization FAQ notes that closing an app may not stop a download, depending on the app. Treat the app window and the delivery service as separate layers: closing Xbox is not a universal guarantee that all related delivery activity ends immediately.
The rate is still below expectations after removing a cap
Verify that the Windows setting no longer imposes a limit, then observe whether the rate changes during another download. Delivery Optimization settings can remove a configured restriction, but they do not promise a fixed throughput for every Xbox session.
Also check that you changed a download control rather than only an upload or peer-sharing control. Those choices address different behaviors. If no restriction is shown, the available documentation does not support promising a particular replacement speed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Storage choice versus network choice
| What you want to change | Where to look | What it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Default drive and folder for new Xbox PC games | Xbox app > profile picture > Settings > General | Where future game files are installed. |
| Ask for a location on every installation | Xbox app’s General settings, using the install-options prompt | Whether each new installation requests a destination. |
| Bandwidth limits | Windows Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization | Windows delivery behavior for updates, Store apps, and other Microsoft products. |
| Peer download and sharing behavior | Delivery Optimization settings | Whether download pieces can be obtained from or shared with other PCs; direct Microsoft downloads remain possible. |
| Move or repair an existing game | The individual game’s management menu, when supported | Only eligible games and app features that expose the command. |
A safe decision path
- If the complaint is “games are going to the wrong drive,” change the Xbox app’s General installation setting.
- If the complaint is “ask me where to install,” enable the per-install prompt.
- If the complaint is “downloads are capped,” inspect Delivery Optimization rather than the Xbox folder selector.
- If the complaint is about a game already installed elsewhere, check that game’s management menu for a supported move action.
- If labels do not match the instructions, use the function described by the label rather than relying on an exact phrase from an older interface.
- If a folder is reported as in use, wait for the operation using it to finish or choose another destination offered by the app.
- If peer downloads are disabled but activity continues, remember that direct Microsoft delivery is still allowed.
What to expect from current Xbox app versions
The Xbox app is updated independently of the Windows Settings app, and Microsoft has not published a single current, step-by-step page that guarantees the same labels in every release. The profile-picture route and General section are therefore best treated as a documented navigation pattern, not an unchanging promise about button text.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Windows Delivery Optimization is the more stable place to look for network controls because it is a Windows feature shared by several Microsoft products. Even there, available bandwidth and peer-sharing choices can vary by Windows edition, update level, or device policy. Read the description beside each control before changing it, especially on a managed PC.
The practical rule is to match the setting to the symptom: storage problems belong in Xbox General settings, per-game destination decisions belong in the install prompt, and delivery behavior belongs in Windows Delivery Optimization. Keeping those layers separate prevents a folder change from being used as a supposed speed fix or a network change from being mistaken for a migration tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I change the default Xbox game install location on Windows?
Open the Xbox app, select your profile picture, choose Settings, and open General. Look for the default installation control, which a November 23, 2023 Microsoft Q&A answer calls “Change where this app installs games by default.” Choose a drive and folder offered by the app. Labels can vary by version.
Can I choose a different drive for every Xbox game?
If your Xbox app includes an option such as “Ask me for install options on every install,” enable it. The app can then ask for a destination during each new installation. Leave the prompt disabled when you want the default path used automatically.
Will changing the default folder move games I already installed?
No. The default-location setting applies to future installations. For an existing game, open its management menu and look for a supported move action. Xbox Wire described move and repair features for eligible users and features, but they are not guaranteed for every game or app version.
Where are Xbox download speed limits configured?
Use Windows Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization. Review download and upload bandwidth controls there. This Windows feature also handles delivery for updates, Store apps, and other Microsoft products, so it is separate from the Xbox app’s storage setting.
Does disabling peer downloads stop an Xbox download?
No. Microsoft Support says turning off peer downloads does not block downloads directly from Microsoft. It changes whether other PCs can provide or receive download pieces; a direct Microsoft download can continue.
Why does the Xbox app say the install folder is in use?
The Microsoft Q&A guidance associated with this setting reports that error when the selected folder is currently unavailable for the change. Finish any active installation or management operation using that location, retry, or choose another folder offered by the app. An XboxGames folder is an example, not a mandatory name.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhy did closing Xbox not immediately stop the download?
Microsoft Learn’s Delivery Optimization FAQ notes that closing an app may not stop a download, depending on the app. The Xbox window and Windows delivery service are separate layers, so closing the app is not a universal guarantee that delivery activity ends immediately.
Will removing a Delivery Optimization limit guarantee faster Xbox downloads?
No. Removing a configured restriction can eliminate that particular limit, but Microsoft does not promise a fixed Xbox throughput afterward. The observed rate can still vary with delivery conditions and the current download path.
The Bottom Line
For the game’s storage destination, use the Xbox app’s profile picture > Settings > General path and choose the offered default drive and folder. Enable the per-install prompt when you want a choice for every title. For bandwidth limits or peer delivery, use Windows 11’s Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization; changing that setting will not move games or guarantee a faster download.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
