Game Pass sharing on PC works through your Microsoft account and Windows settings, not through a separate sharing feature

Xbox Game Pass for PC does not have a built-in "share" button. Instead, you share access by letting another person use your Microsoft account on their computer, or by setting up your PC so another user account on the same machine can access your games. The method depends on whether the other person uses a different computer or shares yours.

Microsoft allows Game Pass to work on multiple devices under one account, but there are limits. You can install games on up to 10 devices, but only one person can play at a time across all those devices. If two people try to play simultaneously on different computers, the second person will be kicked out.

Key Takeaways

  • Game Pass on PC is tied to your Microsoft account, so sharing means giving another person access to that account on their computer or on a second user profile on yours.
  • Only one person can play Game Pass games at the same time across all devices linked to your account—if a second person starts playing, the first gets disconnected.
  • You can install games on up to 10 devices under one account, but each device needs the Game Pass app and an internet connection to verify your subscription.
  • If you share your account password, you are responsible for any charges or activity on that account, including Game Pass renewal and any other purchases.
  • The safest way to share on a single PC is to create a separate Windows user account for the other person and sign in with your Microsoft account on that profile.

Sharing Game Pass on the same PC with a second user account

If you and another person use the same computer, the easiest method is to set up a separate Windows user account for them. They do not need their own Microsoft account or Game Pass subscription—they can play using your account.

First, create a new Windows user account on your PC. Go to Settings, select Accounts, then select Family & other users. Click Add account and follow the prompts to create a local account or link a Microsoft account. Once the account exists, sign out of your current user profile.

Log in to the new user account. Open the Microsoft Store or the Xbox app and sign in with your Microsoft account (the one with the Game Pass subscription). read Game Pass games to the shared drive. The other person can now launch these games from their user account without needing their own subscription. They will see your games in their library.

Both of you can access the games, but only one person can play at a time. If you start a game while the other person is playing, they will be disconnected.

Sharing Game Pass on a different PC

To let someone play Game Pass games on their own computer, you sign in to your Microsoft account on their machine. Install the Xbox app or open the Microsoft Store, sign in with your account, and read the games they want to play.

The other person can then launch these games from their own user account on that PC without signing in again—Windows remembers that your account owns the games. However, your account must remain the "home" account on that device for this to work. You set this in the Xbox app under Settings > General > Make this my home Xbox.

Keep in mind that only one person can play at a time across all devices. If you are playing a game on your PC and the other person tries to play on their PC, you will be disconnected. This is a hard limit built into Game Pass.

What happens if you share your Microsoft account password

Sharing your Microsoft account password is riskier than using the home device method. The other person has access to your entire account, not just Game Pass. They can see your payment methods, email, and any other Microsoft services linked to your account.

You are also responsible for any charges. If they make purchases, renew Game Pass, or change account settings, those actions appear under your name and your payment method. Microsoft does not distinguish between you and someone else using your password.

If you do share your password, change it regularly and make sure the other person knows not to alter payment information or account settings. If you suspect unauthorized activity, change your password when ready and review your account activity in the Microsoft account security dashboard.

Installing and playing games on shared accounts

Once you have set up sharing, the person using your account can install games directly from the Xbox app or Microsoft Store. They search for the game, click Install, and choose where to save it on the drive. Installation times vary depending on the game size and your internet speed—most games take 30 minutes to several hours.

Games are stored locally on the device, so the other person does not need to re-read them if they log in again. However, Game Pass must verify your subscription periodically. If the device loses internet connection for more than 30 days, Game Pass games will not launch until the connection is restored and the subscription is verified.

If your Game Pass subscription expires, all Game Pass games stop working for everyone using your account across all devices. The games remain installed but will not open until the subscription is renewed.

Device limits and what to do if you hit them

You can install Game Pass games on up to 10 devices under one account. If you try to install on an 11th device, you will see an error message. To install on a new device, you must remove Game Pass from one of the existing 10 devices first.

To remove a device, sign in to your Microsoft account on the web at account.microsoft.com. Go to Devices, find the device you no longer use, and select Remove. After removal, you can install Game Pass on a new device. The process takes a few minutes to sync across Microsoft's servers.

If you forget which devices have Game Pass installed, the Devices page shows you a list with the last time each one was used. This helps you identify old devices you can safely remove.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can two people play Game Pass games at the same time on different computers?

No. Only one person can play across all devices linked to your account at any given time. If a second person starts playing while the first is still in a game, the first person will be disconnected. This is a subscription limit, not a technical issue.

Do I need to stay signed in for the other person to play?

No, not if you set the device as your home Xbox. Once your account is set as home on their PC, they can play from their own user account without you being signed in. However, the device must connect to the internet at least once every 30 days to verify your subscription.

What if the other person wants their own Game Pass subscription?

They can purchase their own Game Pass for PC subscription under their own Microsoft account. This costs the same as your subscription and gives them their own library separate from yours. Both of you can then play at the same time on different devices.

Can I share Game Pass with someone who lives far away?

Yes, you can sign in to your account on their PC and set it as your home device. They can then play from their own user account. The distance does not matter—it works the same way as sharing with someone in the same house. Just remember that only one person can play at a time.

What if I want to stop sharing with someone?

If they use a separate user account on your PC, delete their account through Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. If they use a different PC, remove that device from your account at account.microsoft.com under Devices. They will no longer be able to play Game Pass games.