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Install Gaming Services from Microsoft Store—not from Windows Settings. The official listing is Gaming Services – Free download and install on Windows. Xbox and PC Game Pass may also open this Store page automatically when a game needs the component.
Install Gaming Services on Windows 11
- Open Microsoft Store from the Start menu.
- Search for Gaming Services.
- Open the listing named Gaming Services – Free download and install on Windows.
- Select Get, Install, or Update, depending on what the Store displays.
- Wait for the installation to finish, then restart Windows 11.
You can also open the direct listing in a browser and select the option to open it in Microsoft Store: Microsoft Gaming Services.
Install it from the Xbox app
If you start a Game Pass title without Gaming Services, the Xbox app may show a blue message:
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This app needs an extra component. Gaming Services is needed for playing some games. Administrator approval required. Install
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- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Select Install on that banner and approve the administrator prompt. Windows should install Gaming Services through Microsoft Store. Restart the PC before trying the game again.
What to do when Gaming Services does not appear in Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store can hide an app instead of showing an install button. Check these conditions before using repair commands:
| Possible cause | What to check |
|---|---|
| Wrong Microsoft account | Open Microsoft Store, select your profile icon, and confirm that you are signed in with the account authorized to use Store apps. |
| Region restriction | Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region and check the Windows region. Availability can vary by country or region. |
| Family restrictions | Microsoft family settings can hide apps or prevent installation. |
| Device incompatibility | Microsoft Store may hide the install control when the device does not meet an app’s requirements. |
| Pending Windows update | Restart Windows after an update, then search for Gaming Services again. |
| Store cache problem | Reset Microsoft Store with the command below. |
Reset Microsoft Store
A damaged Store cache can prevent Gaming Services from loading or installing. Reset it as follows:
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
wsreset.exe. - Select OK.
A blank Command Prompt window appears. It normally closes after about 10 seconds, and Microsoft Store opens automatically. Search for Gaming Services again and try the installation.
Repair Gaming Services when Xbox reports an installation error
Microsoft documents errors 0x80073D26 and 0x8007139F when Gaming Services cannot be installed or started. Its published workaround removes the Gaming Services AppX package and two related service-registry keys before reinstalling the component.
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- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
Important: this is not the normal Windows 11 installation method. Use it only when the Store or Xbox installation fails and you are comfortable running an administrator script. Removing registry keys incorrectly can damage Windows components, so do not change the commands.
Run Microsoft’s repair script
- Open Notepad.
- Paste this script exactly:
Get-AppxPackage *gamingservices* -allusers | remove-appxpackage -allusers
Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:SystemCurrentControlSetServicesGamingServices" -recurse
Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:SystemCurrentControlSetServicesGamingServicesNet" -recurse- Press Ctrl+S.
- For File name, enter
RepairGamingServices.ps1. - Set Save as type to All Files (*.*), then select Save.
- Right-click the saved
.ps1file and choose Run as administrator. - Restart the computer.
- Open the Xbox app.
- When the blue Gaming Services banner appears, select Install.
If Windows refuses to run the file, confirm that it was saved as RepairGamingServices.ps1, not RepairGamingServices.ps1.txt. In Notepad, choosing All Files (*.*) prevents the extra .txt extension.
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Do not use the old KB5004476 advice as a Windows 11 requirement
Microsoft’s article containing the repair script applies to Windows 10. It describes the historical June 11, 2021 update KB5004476 for Windows 10 builds 19041.1055, 19042.1055, and 19043.1055. That update is not a current Windows 11 prerequisite and should not be presented as the Windows 11 Gaming Services fix.
For Windows 11, begin with the Microsoft Store listing or the Xbox app’s Install prompt. Reset Store with wsreset.exe if the listing fails to load. Use the removal script only as a targeted repair step for the documented installation errors.
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- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Check whether the installation worked
- Restart Windows 11 after the Store reports that Gaming Services is installed.
- Open the Xbox app and sign in with the account that owns the game or Game Pass subscription.
- Start the game again.
- If Xbox still displays the extra-component banner, select Install there rather than repeatedly launching the game.
If the Store still cannot find Gaming Services, review the account, region, family settings, compatibility, pending restart, and Store-cache conditions listed above. The absence of the listing by itself does not prove that Gaming Services has been discontinued.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Where do I download Gaming Services for Windows 11?
Download it from Microsoft Store. Search for Gaming Services or open Microsoft’s official listing titled “Gaming Services – Free download and install on Windows.”
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Can I install Gaming Services from Windows Settings?
Microsoft’s documented installation route is Microsoft Store. The Xbox app can also display an Install prompt that takes you to the required component.
Why does Xbox say Gaming Services is missing?
Gaming Services may not be installed correctly, may be damaged, or may fail to start. Select Install on the Xbox banner first. If that fails with 0x80073D26 or 0x8007139F, reset Microsoft Store and then consider Microsoft’s repair procedure.
How do I reset Microsoft Store on Windows 11?
Press Windows key + R, enter wsreset.exe, and select OK. A blank Command Prompt window normally closes after around 10 seconds, after which Microsoft Store opens.
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- Feel Recoil, Acceleration, and Impact More Realistically: 4-motor vibration across both triggers and grips makes shooting, driving, crashing, and combat feel more immersive. Experience stronger recoil feedback in shooters and more realistic acceleration and road feel in racing games.
- Quick In-Game Adjustments Without Interrupting Gameplay: Fine-tune vibration, switch profiles, remap buttons, or adjust volume directly on the controller while gaming. No need to pause the match or open software — perfect for players who constantly switch between FPS, RPG, racing, and multiplayer games.
Is KB5004476 required to install Gaming Services on Windows 11?
No. Microsoft’s KB5004476 guidance applies to a historical Windows 10 issue and specific Windows 10 builds. It is not a Windows 11 installation prerequisite.
What if Gaming Services is missing from Microsoft Store?
Check that you are using the correct Microsoft account, restart after pending Windows updates, review region and family settings, and check whether the device is compatible with Store apps. Then reset Store with wsreset.exe and search again.
The Bottom Line
For Windows 11, install Gaming Services from its Microsoft Store listing or use the Install button shown by Xbox. If Store is malfunctioning, run wsreset.exe. Reserve the PowerShell removal script for persistent errors such as 0x80073D26 or 0x8007139F, and do not treat the old Windows 10 KB5004476 update as a Windows 11 fix.
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