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Yes. Microsoft made the Forza Horizon 3 demo available for Windows 10 PC through the Windows Store on November 3, 2016, at no additional charge. On the same day, it updated the separate Xbox One demo with HDR support for Xbox One S when used with an HDR display. Those are historical release details; the 2016 announcement does not establish whether the demo can still be downloaded today.
When did the Windows 10 demo come out?
The Windows 10 PC demo arrived in the Windows Store on November 3, 2016. Microsoft described it as available at no additional charge and said it let players explore part of the Australian map through a guided introduction. Microsoft’s Windows Experience Blog announcement covered the PC release.
The demo was not the full game. Forza Horizon 3 launched on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC on September 27, 2016; Xbox Wire said its Japan release would follow on September 29. Xbox Wire’s launch announcement gives those dates.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat was different between the PC and Xbox One demos?
| Platform | Demo timing | What the announcement described |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 PC | Available November 3, 2016 | A guided introduction to part of the Australian map, at no additional charge. Windows Experience Blog, November 3, 2016 |
| Xbox One | Launched September 12, 2016; HDR update announced November 3, 2016 | The demo included events and online free-roam after demo events. The HDR update was specified for Xbox One S with an HDR display. Xbox Wire, September 12, 2016; Xbox Wire, November 3, 2016 |
What could you do in the Xbox One demo?
Xbox Wire described a partial version of the Australian map, demo events, and online free-roam after those events. Its named vehicles included the Lamborghini Centenario, BMW M4 Coupe, Ford Shelby GT350R, and 2014 HSV Limited Edition GEN-F GTS Maloo, as well as dune buggies and a trophy truck. These details refer to the Xbox One demo described at its September 12, 2016 launch. Read Xbox Wire’s demo announcement.
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- Bundle includes: Xbox One S 1TB Console, full game download of Forza Horizon 3 for both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC (card with code included in box), Xbox Wireless Controller, HDMI cable (4K Capable)
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- Play over 100 console exclusives and a growing library of Xbox 360 games on Xbox One
- In Forza Horizon 3, explore Australia in over 350 of the world's greatest cars. Make shared progress across Xbox One and Windows 10
Did the Xbox One demo support HDR?
Microsoft announced HDR support for the Xbox One demo in its November 3, 2016 update. The announcement specified an Xbox One S and an HDR display. It was the Xbox One demo receiving that update—not the Windows 10 PC demo. Xbox Wire’s update announcement states the conditions.
What PC specs did the demo require?
Xbox Wire published the following Windows 10 PC specifications on November 3, 2016. They are the historical requirements and performance targets published for the demo, not refreshed compatibility guidance or independent benchmark results. All three tiers list Windows 10 Anniversary Edition 64-bit, version 14393.102, and 21 GB of free storage. Source: Xbox Wire, November 3, 2016.
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| Tier | CPU | Graphics card | VRAM | RAM | Published target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Intel i5-3570 at 3.4 GHz | NVIDIA GT 750 Ti or AMD R7 250X | 2 GB | 8 GB | 720p at 30 fps |
| Recommended | Intel i7-3820 at 3.6 GHz | NVIDIA GTX 970, GTX 1060, or AMD R9 290X/RX 480 | 4 GB | 12 GB | 1080p at 30 fps |
| Ideal | Intel i7-6700 at 4.0 GHz | NVIDIA GTX 980 Ti, GTX 1080, or AMD Fury X | 6 GB | 16 GB | 4K at 30 fps |
Microsoft presented those resolutions and frame rates as targets for the listed tiers; the figures are not a guarantee of performance on every PC.
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The announcements establish that the Windows 10 demo was available in the Windows Store on November 3, 2016. They do not establish whether it remains downloadable now, and the Xbox product listing does not confirm demo availability in every region. Check the relevant store for current availability rather than treating the historical announcement as proof of access. The full game’s product listing describes Xbox Play Anywhere and HDR support on supported Xbox One S/X TVs, but those details do not establish current demo availability. Xbox official product listing.
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