Recently I bought, sold and installed a Xbox One for a customer. When I was younger I used to enjoy playing computer games but over the years I don’t really have the time and have lost track of whats good in the gaming industry and more importantly, what is possible… until now!
The computer gaming industry moves very fast and so do the ideas and technology needed to keep the hungry gamers happy.
Most of the games I have played are on the computer not console (Xbox and Playstation) etc.
But now it seems both worlds have met and like any good computer man I have learnt a few useful things my customers can use.
Upon installing a new Xbox One for a customer I was asked also if he could play his new Xbox on his computer.
Traditional thinking told me, “NO”. Bit a little research and I found that it was not only possible, but very easy.
Because Microsoft make both the Windows 10 operating system and Xbox One console they designed both to work together so you can in fact play your Xbox One on your computer over the same Local Area Network.
Again this will only work if both devices, the Xbox One and Windows 10 computer or laptop on the same LAN.
Connecting and playing your Xbox One on your Windows 10 Computer
Step 1: On your Xbox One go to, Settings > Preferences, and make sure the following settings are enabled.
- Allow game streaming to other devices
- From any SmartGlass device or Only from profiles signed in on this Xbox
Step 2: On your Windows 10 computer you need to download and install the Xbox App (free) from the Window Store.
Step 3: Once you have the Xbox App installed click “Connect” on the left panel.
Step 4: Now the Xbox One will look over your network for your Xbox and when you see your device you simply click on it to connect.
What you need and don’t need
Setting up and playing your Xbox One on your computer is easy to setup and works flawlessly.
You would think playing your Xbox over your LAN (Local Area Network) or Wifi would be slow and unresponsive. Quite the contrary, during testing we found playing the Xbox One over the wireless network (all devices) was just like sitting behind the actual console.
You will not need a Windows Live account for this to work and after the installation of the Xbox app you will not even need a internet connection. But you will need a Local Area Connection.
You will need to plug a cable into your computer to connect you to the controller, so a longer cable might be needed, but this is ideal if your Xbox is in another room and people are using the TV, you can play straight from your laptop in your bedroom.
