How to Play Forza Horizon 4 on Your PC

What You Need to Run Forza Horizon 4

Forza Horizon 4 runs on Windows 10 or Windows 11, and you can launch it through either the Microsoft Store or Steam. The game is not free—you buy it once and own it—but Game Pass for PC includes it if you have an active subscription. Before you install, check that your PC meets the minimum specs: Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a graphics card like the Nvidia GTX 970 or AMD RX 480. If your PC is older or less powerful, the game will either not run or run slowly with graphics turned down.

The recommended specs for smooth gameplay at higher graphics settings are Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, 16 GB of RAM, and a newer graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 2080 or AMD RX 5700 XT. Your internet connection must be stable—the game requires an online connection even for single-player modes, though you do not need to be in a multiplayer session. Storage space is about 100 GB, so make sure you have that much free on your drive before you start the read.

Key Takeaways

Forza Horizon 4 is available through the Microsoft Store, Steam, or Xbox Game Pass for PC, and you must buy it or subscribe to play.
Your PC needs Windows 10 or 11, at least an Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, 8 GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card to run the game at all.
An active internet connection is required at all times, even when playing solo races and events.
The full game takes about 100 GB of storage space and takes several hours to read depending on your internet speed.
Graphics settings, controller support, and frame rate options are all adjustable in the game menu after launch.

Buying and Installing the Game

If you own a copy already, skip to the next section. If not, you have three routes: buy it from the Microsoft Store, buy it from Steam, or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for PC. The Microsoft Store version and the Steam version are the same game and use the same save files if you link your Xbox account. Game Pass for PC costs about $10 per month and includes Forza Horizon 4 along with hundreds of other games, so it is the cheapest way to try the game if you are unsure whether you will play it regularly.

Once you have bought the game or activated Game Pass, open the Microsoft Store or Steam on your PC. Search for "Forza Horizon 4" and select it. Click the Install button. The read will begin automatically and will run in the background while you use your PC. The full read is roughly 100 GB, so on a typical home internet connection it will take between 4 and 12 hours depending on your speed. You can pause and resume the read at any time. Once the read finishes, the game is ready to play—no additional setup is needed.

Launching the Game and Initial Setup

Open the Microsoft Store or Steam, find Forza Horizon 4 in your library, and click the Play button. The game will launch and show a splash screen while it loads. On first launch, you will be asked to sign in with your Microsoft account—this is the same account you use for Xbox, Outlook, or Windows. If you do not have one, you can create it for free during this step. The game will then read a small additional file (the "seasonal update") which takes a few minutes.

After that, you will see the main menu. The game will ask you to choose your difficulty settings, which control how much help the game gives you with steering, braking, and collision. You can change these at any time in the Settings menu, so do not worry about getting them perfect now. You will also create or link your Forza driver profile, which stores your progress, cars, and online stats. Once you finish these steps, you are in the game and can start driving.

Connecting a Controller or Using a Keyboard

Forza Horizon 4 works with a controller or a keyboard and mouse, though a controller is strongly recommended for racing games. If you have an Xbox controller (wired or wireless), plug it in or pair it via Bluetooth, and the game will recognize it automatically. Other controllers like the PlayStation DualShock 4 or third-party racing wheels also work, but you may need to configure the button mapping in the game's Settings menu under Controls.

If you are using a keyboard, the arrow keys or WASD control steering and acceleration. The spacebar is the handbrake, and other keys handle shifting and camera views. Keyboard controls are functional but less precise than a controller for racing, especially in competitive events. You can remap any button or key in the Settings menu if the defaults do not suit you. Test your controls in a free-roam session before entering a timed race so you know what to expect.

Understanding the Game Modes and Progression

Forza Horizon 4 has several ways to play. Story mode is a series of racing events and challenges that unlock new cars and progression rewards as you complete them. Free roam lets you drive around the open world without racing, finding hidden collectibles and taking photos. Online multiplayer puts you in a shared world with other players where you can race together or just cruise. Seasonal events change the weather and available races every week, so there is always something new to do.

As you race and complete events, you earn credits (in-game money) and experience points. Credits let you buy new cars from the auction house or the car shop. Experience points increase your driver level and unlock new cosmetic items and car upgrades. You do not need to spend real money to progress—the game does not have a battle pass or pay-to-win mechanics. Everything can be earned by playing.

Adjusting Graphics and Performance Settings

Once you are in the game, open the Settings menu and go to Graphics. Here you can adjust the resolution, frame rate cap, and graphics quality. If your PC is on the lower end of the specs, set the quality to Low or Medium and cap the frame rate at 60 frames per second (fps). If you have a newer, more powerful PC, you can set quality to Ultra and aim for 120 fps or higher if your monitor supports it. Higher graphics settings make the game look better but use more power and may cause stuttering or frame drops if your PC cannot keep up.

You can also turn on or off ray tracing (realistic reflections and lighting), which looks impressive but is very demanding. Motion blur, depth of field, and other effects can be toggled individually. If the game feels choppy or slow, lower the graphics quality or resolution first, then cap the frame rate lower. You can test changes by driving around in free roam and seeing how the game feels. There is no penalty for changing settings, so experiment until you find a balance between how good the game looks and how smoothly it runs on your PC.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If the game will not launch, make sure Windows is up to date by opening Settings and checking for updates. Restart your PC and try launching the game again. If it still does not start, uninstall and reinstall the game—this usually fixes corrupted downloads. If you get a message about needing to update your graphics driver, visit the Nvidia or AMD website (depending on your graphics card), read the latest driver, and install it.

If the game runs but feels very slow or stutters, lower the graphics settings as described above. If you are getting disconnected from the online servers, check that your internet connection is stable by running a speed test on speedtest.net. A connection of at least 5 Mbps read speed is recommended. If the problem persists, restart your router and your PC. If you are still having trouble after these steps, the Forza support website has additional troubleshooting guides and a community forum where other players share solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Xbox Game Pass to play Forza Horizon 4?

No. You can buy the game outright from the Microsoft Store or Steam for a one-time price, and you will own it forever. Game Pass is optional and is only cheaper if you play many games. If you only want Forza, buying it directly is usually the better choice.

Can I play Forza Horizon 4 offline?

No. The game requires an active internet connection at all times, even for single-player races and free roam. You do not need to be in a multiplayer lobby, but your PC must be connected to the internet.

What if my PC does not meet the minimum specs?

The game will not run at all if your PC is below the minimum specs. If you are close but slightly under, you can try lowering all graphics settings to Low and capping the frame rate at 30 fps, but performance will be poor. You may need to upgrade your graphics card or RAM to play smoothly.

Can I transfer my progress from Xbox to PC?

Yes, if you use the same Microsoft account on both. Your cars, credits, driver level, and completed events will sync automatically between Xbox and PC versions of the game.

Is there a way to play Forza Horizon 4 without a controller?

Yes, keyboard and mouse controls work, but racing is much harder without a controller because keyboard steering is all-or-nothing rather than gradual. If you do not have a controller, you can still play, but consider getting one for a better experience.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.