On Friday, Microsoft unexpectedly ended sales and rentals of movies and TV shows on its Xbox and Windows platforms. The abrupt shutdown means users can no longer purchase new digital content on these devices through the Microsoft Store or Microsoft.com.
No more new movie or TV purchases on Xbox and Windows
Microsoft quietly updated its support pages to announce this change, surprising many users since there was no prior warning. Although the storefront pages for movies and TV still appear on Xbox, they are now empty, indicating that a future console update will likely remove these sections entirely.
Users can still watch all their previously purchased movies and shows through the Movies & TV app on Xbox and Windows devices, with playback supported at the highest available resolution.
However, Microsoft is not offering refunds or any way to transfer digital libraries to other services. For U.S. customers, selected titles can be linked to the Movies Anywhere platform, which aggregates digital purchases from various retailers in one place. For now, Microsoft will continue providing customer support for existing purchases.
Microsoft’s shift away from digital video sales
Microsoft has not publicly explained the sudden decision to close the Movies & TV store. A company spokesperson told Gizmodo, “We have nothing further to share at this time”.
However, market trends favour subscription streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, which dominate home entertainment. Microsoft’s support page now encourages users to access movies and TV shows through third-party apps available on Xbox and Windows, including Prime Video and Apple TV.
The Movies & TV service, launched initially as Xbox Video in 2012, was once Microsoft’s answer to competing platforms like iTunes and Amazon’s on-demand stores. Its closure marks the end of an era for Xbox as a media purchase hub and reflects the company’s shift in focus away from owning digital video content to streaming and other entertainment offerings.
This move underscores how media consumption habits continue to evolve. Microsoft is stepping back from digital movie and TV sales to embrace other entertainment avenues on its platforms.