Microsoft Store Update Lets You Save 100GB of Space for Games with a Few Clicks

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In simple terms, an upcoming addition to the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 will allow you to save space on your computer by installing only specific game components instead of the full game. This announcement was made alongside the release of Windows 11 Build 27788, which includes a feature similar to Apple’s Handoff.

This tool enables you to selectively download certain elements of video games, for instance, high-definition textures. You also have the option to bypass some components during installation, thus minimizing the game’s storage footprint on your computer. It operates during the game installation process and lets you decide which game components will be accessible on your system later.

For users in the Canary and Dev Channels of Windows Insiders, an update for the Microsoft Store is available (version 22501.1401). This upgrade enables the installation of individual game components within the store. For instance, the entire Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 could require approximately 300GB on your drive, but by opting to install or uninstall only the multiplayer mode, you can save around 83.2GB of space on your system.

Microsoft did not share a list of games that support the feature.

While the Xbox app currently allows you to choose which game components are installed on your computer, it’s great that we can now manage storage directly through the Microsoft Store. The layout and aesthetics of the Xbox app could use some improvement, as the storage management options within the Microsoft Store seem more user-friendly.

As an analyst, I’m sharing some important context: The upcoming feature we’re testing might undergo modifications before it reaches our general user base. It’s also possible that it may not be released at all, although this seems improbable given that the feature essentially streamlines existing functionalities for more convenient game storage management, which is a refined version of what we already have in place.

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2025-02-06 23:09