Microsoft plans to enable Xbox 360 games on Windows PCs
A leaked internal memo shows Microsoft intends to allow Xbox 360 titles to run on Windows PCs, with developers able to set pricing and Game Pass inclusion, and a rollout slated for 2027-2028.
Microsoft is preparing to make Xbox 360 games playable on Windows PCs, according to a document obtained by The Verge. The memo, which was recently distributed to developers, outlines a program that will let titles run on "Xbox PCs" – devices that have the Xbox app installed, including handhelds such as the ROG Xbox Ally. The same document mentions that the games will also be compatible with Project Helix, the next-generation Xbox platform.
Developers will be able to enable backward compatibility for their titles, set purchase prices, and decide whether to offer them through Game Pass. Microsoft plans to introduce the feature gradually between 2027 and 2028 across next-gen devices.
The company previously announced that original Xbox games will arrive on PC, targeting an October 2026 launch. The new memo also references ongoing work on a disc-to-digital conversion system, allowing owners of Xbox One and Series discs to insert the physical media and receive a linked digital license. The feature, initially expected to appear in beta last month, has not yet been released, suggesting a timeline adjustment.
"Developers will be able to toggle backwards compatibility on for their games, set prices and decide Game Pass inclusion," the internal document states.
The planned disc-to-digital service would bind the digital license to both the user’s account and the physical disc, enabling the disc to be shared while transferring the license to a new owner.