5 Ways to Make Games Download Faster on PC Game Pass

Are you tired of waiting for your PC Game Pass games to download? Do you want to speed up the process and start playing as soon as possible? If so, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll show you how to make games download faster on PC Game Pass. We’ll provide you with easy-to-follow instructions and tips that will help you get your games downloaded and installed in no time.

One of the first things you can do to speed up downloads is to make sure that your computer is connected to a strong and stable internet connection. A slow or unreliable internet connection will only slow down your download speeds. If you’re not sure if your internet connection is up to par, you can run a speed test to check your speeds. Additionally, you can try connecting your computer directly to your router or modem via an Ethernet cable. This will usually provide a faster and more stable connection than Wi-Fi.

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Enabling Game Pass Download Caching

Follow these detailed steps to enable download caching for your Xbox Game Pass games:

Launch the Xbox app on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.
Click on “Settings” (gear icon) in the left-hand menu.
Under the “General” tab, locate the “Downloads” section.
Toggle the switch next to “Enable download caching” to the “On” position.

Additional Details for Enabling Game Pass Download Caching

When download caching is enabled, the Xbox app will store temporary files for games that you’re downloading. This cached data can be used to resume downloads if they’re interrupted or if your internet connection is lost. It can also help to improve download speeds by pre-loading game files.

Here’s a summary of how download caching works:

Step	Description
1	When you start a game download, the Xbox app downloads a small amount of data (typically around 10-20 MB) and caches it on your hard drive.
2	The Xbox app then checks if there are any cached files available for the game. If there are, the app will use those files to resume the download.
3	If there are no cached files available, the Xbox app will continue to download the game from the Xbox Live servers.

By enabling download caching, you can potentially improve your game download speeds and ensure that your downloads resume smoothly if there are any interruptions.

Closing Background Programs

Closing background programs is an essential step in optimizing your PC for faster game downloads. These programs can consume valuable system resources, such as CPU and memory, which could otherwise be used for the download process. Here are some tips on how to close background programs:

1. Use the Task Manager

The Task Manager is a utility built into Windows that allows you to view and manage running programs. To open the Task Manager, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. In the Task Manager, click on the “Processes” tab. This will display a list of all currently running programs. Click on the “CPU” or “Memory” column headers to sort the programs by CPU or memory usage. You can then select and close any programs that are consuming excessive resources.

2. Disable Startup Programs

Startup programs are programs that automatically start when you boot up your computer. Many of these programs are unnecessary and can slow down your system. To disable startup programs, open the Start menu and type in “msconfig.” In the System Configuration window, click on the “Startup” tab. This will display a list of all startup programs. Uncheck the box next to any programs you want to disable.

3. Identify Memory-Hogging Processes

In some cases, a particular program or process may be consuming a disproportionate amount of memory. To identify these memory hogs, open the Task Manager and click on the “Memory” column header. This will sort the programs by memory usage. You can then investigate the memory-intensive programs and take appropriate action to reduce their memory consumption. Here are some tips:

Program	Action
Chrome	Close unnecessary tabs or use a memory-efficient browser like Firefox.
Antivirus software	Disable real-time scanning or schedule scans for off-peak hours.
Cloud storage services	Pause syncing or close the client application.
Resource-intensive software	Close or minimize programs that require a lot of memory, such as video editors or 3D modeling tools.

Updating Network Drivers

Out-of-date or corrupted network drivers can hinder your game’s download speed. To ensure optimal performance, it’s crucial to keep your drivers up-to-date.

Determining Your Network Adapter

Before updating drivers, you need to determine your network adapter. This can be found in your device manager. Go to “Network Adapters” under “System Devices” to identify your adapter.

Downloading and Installing Drivers

Once you know your adapter, download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Search for your adapter using its model number or name, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the update process, try the following:

Problem	Solution
Can’t find my network adapter	Go to “Hidden Devices” in Device Manager and see if your adapter is listed there.
Drivers not installing	Try downloading the drivers directly from your motherboard manufacturer’s website.
System not detecting the update	Restart your computer and try again. If that fails, try using a driver update utility.

Adjusting Power Settings

Optimizing your power settings can significantly improve download speeds for Xbox Game Pass games. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Open Power Settings

* Click the Windows Start button. * Type “Power Options” in the search bar. * Select “Power Options” from the search results.

2. Select High-Performance Plan

* In the Power Options window, click “Show additional plans.” * Select “High Performance” from the list of options.

3. Disable Hard Drive Sleep

* Click “Change plan settings” for the High Performance plan. * Go to “Change advanced power settings.” * Expand the “Hard Disk” section. * Set “Turn off hard disk after” to “Never.”

4. Disable USB Selective Suspend

* In the same advanced power settings window, expand the “USB settings” section. * Set “USB selective suspend setting” to “Disabled.”

5. Enable Maximum Performance

* To ensure your CPU and GPU are operating at full capacity, follow these specific steps:

Step	Instruction
1	Open the Control Panel.
2	Click on “System and Security.”
3	Select “Power Options.”
4	In the “Power Options” window, click on “Change plan settings” next to the High Performance plan.
5	Click on “Change advanced power settings.”
6	Expand the “Processor Power Management” section.
7	Set “Minimum processor state” and “Maximum processor state” to “100%.”
8	Click “OK” to save your changes.

Utilizing Wired Connections

Harnessing a wired connection is a surefire way to expedite the download process for your PC Game Pass games. By establishing a physical link between your device and the internet source, wired connections provide a stable and consistent data transmission channel, resulting in faster downloads.

Benefits of Wired Connections


Enhanced Stability:	Eliminates signal fluctuations and connection drops, ensuring a seamless download experience.
Higher Bandwidth:	Typically provides faster internet speeds compared to wireless connections, allowing for quicker file transfers.
Reduced Latency:	Minimizes delays and interruptions, resulting in a responsive and uninterrupted download process.

Tips for Optimizing Wired Connections

To maximize the efficiency of your wired connection, consider the following tips:

Use Cat6 or Cat7 Ethernet Cables: These cables are designed to handle high bandwidths and provide faster data transfer rates.
Minimize Cable Length: Keep the Ethernet cable length as short as possible to reduce signal loss.
Check for Proper Cable Connections: Ensure that the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both the router and your device.
Avoid Running Cables Near Power Sources: Electrical interference can disrupt the signal transmission, so keep Ethernet cables away from power cords and appliances.
Use a Fast Router: Invest in a router with high bandwidth capabilities to support the increased data flow required for Game Pass downloads.
Restart Your Router and Device: Occasionally restarting your router and device can refresh the connection and improve download speeds.

Pausing Other Downloads

1. Open the Xbox app.

You can access the Xbox app from your taskbar or by searching for it in the Start menu.

2. Go to the “My Games & Apps” tab.

This tab is located in the left-hand menu of the Xbox app.

3. Select the game you want to pause.

Scroll through your list of games and find the one you want to pause the download of.

4. Click the “Pause” button.

The “Pause” button is located on the game’s tile.

5. (Optional) Select the “Pause all other downloads” option.

This will pause all other downloads in your queue, not just the one you selected.

6. Click the “Pause” button again.

This will confirm your selection and pause the download.

7. To resume the download, simply click the “Resume” button.

The “Resume” button will appear in the same location as the “Pause” button.

Restarting the Xbox App

If restarting the Xbox app on your PC doesn’t seem to do the trick, there are a few additional steps you can take to ensure a faster download experience for your Game Pass games:

1. Check your internet connection: Ensure your internet connection is stable and fast enough to support large file downloads. Run a speed test to verify your bandwidth.

2. Close other bandwidth-intensive programs: Suspend or close any background applications or downloads that may be consuming your internet bandwidth, such as streaming services, torrenting clients, or cloud backups.

3. Pause other Xbox game downloads: If you have multiple Game Pass games downloading simultaneously, pause all but the one you want to prioritize.

4. Clear the Xbox app cache: This can help resolve any temporary glitches or corruption that may be affecting download speeds. Instructions may vary depending on your Windows version.

5. Reinstall the Xbox app: If all else fails, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the Xbox app. This will reset all app settings and potentially eliminate any underlying issues.

6. Check for Xbox server issues: Occasionally, Xbox servers may experience temporary outages or maintenance, which can impact download speeds. Visit the Xbox Support website for updates.

7. Use a wired Ethernet connection: If possible, connect your PC to your router using an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. Ethernet connections typically offer more stable and faster internet speeds.

8. Optimize your network settings: Advanced users can modify their network settings to prioritize gaming traffic. This involves enabling Quality of Service (QoS) features on your router and giving the Xbox app a higher priority.

OS	Instructions
Windows 10	Settings > Network & Internet > Network Reset > Reset Now
Windows 11	Settings > System > Recovery > Network Reset

Troubleshooting Network Issues

Encountering slow download speeds while using PC Game Pass can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to improve network performance:

1. Check Internet Connection

Ensure you have a stable internet connection by:

Restarting your router
Running a speed test on your device

2. Disable Background Applications

Close any unnecessary programs or services that may be consuming bandwidth in the background.

3. Use a Wired Connection

Connect your device directly to your router using an Ethernet cable for faster and more stable speeds.

4. Update Network Drivers

Outdated network drivers can cause performance issues. Update them from the manufacturer’s website or through Windows Update.

5. Clear DNS Cache

To flush the DNS cache, run the following command in Command Prompt: ipconfig /flushdns

6. Use a Different DNS Server

Try using a third-party DNS server such as Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222)

7. Check Region Settings

Make sure the region you’ve selected in the PC Game Pass app matches your actual location for optimal download speeds.

8. Optimize Network Settings

Adjust your router settings to prioritize gaming traffic. Enable Quality of Service (QoS) or use port forwarding for Xbox Live services.

9. Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, consider the following advanced troubleshooting measures:

Perform a Trace Route: Use the tracert command in Command Prompt to trace the route packets take from your device to Xbox Live servers.
Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP): Report slow download speeds to your ISP and verify any network issues or bandwidth limitations.
Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings: Ensure your firewall and antivirus software are not blocking PC Game Pass downloads.
Use a VPN: A VPN can sometimes bypass network congestion and improve download speeds.
Consider a Network Upgrade: If you’ve exhausted all other options, consider upgrading your internet package for increased bandwidth and performance.

Contacting Xbox Support

If you’re still experiencing slow download speeds after trying the other troubleshooting steps, you can contact Xbox Support for further assistance.

Here’s how to contact Xbox Support:

1. Go to the Xbox Support website. 2. Click on “Contact us.” 3. Select the “Games & subscriptions” category. 4. Choose the “Game Pass” sub-category. 5. Click on the “Slow download speeds” topic. 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to submit a support request.

When submitting a support request, please provide the following information:

Your Xbox Live account email address
The name of the game you’re trying to download
The size of the game file
The current download speed
A screenshot of your network settings

Xbox Support will investigate your issue and provide you with a resolution as soon as possible.

How To Make Games Download Faster Pc Game Pass

There are a few things you can do to make games download faster on PC Game Pass. First, make sure that your internet connection is stable and fast. You can check your internet speed by visiting a website like Speedtest.net. If your internet speed is slow, you may need to contact your internet service provider and upgrade your plan.

Once you have verified that your internet connection is stable and fast, you can try the following tips to make games download faster on PC Game Pass:

Close any unnecessary programs or applications. The more programs and applications that are running, the more bandwidth they will use. This can slow down your download speeds. To close unnecessary programs and applications, press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys simultaneously. Then, click on the “Task Manager” tab. In the Task Manager, select the “Processes” tab and then click on the “CPU” column header to sort the processes by CPU usage. Close any processes that are using a lot of CPU.
Pause other downloads. If you are downloading other files or programs, pause them while you are downloading a game on PC Game Pass. This will free up bandwidth and allow the game to download faster.
Use a wired connection. A wired connection is always faster than a wireless connection. If possible, connect your computer to your router with an Ethernet cable.
Move the game installation folder to a faster drive. If you have a solid-state drive (SSD), move the game installation folder to the SSD. SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives, and this can significantly speed up the download process.
Restart your computer. Sometimes, simply restarting your computer can help to improve download speeds. This is because restarting your computer clears the cache and closes any unnecessary programs or applications that may be using bandwidth.