One of the best features for Xbox game consoles in recent years is theonespecifically here. We are talking specifically about the possible conversion of physical games into digital copies or, to be even more precise, about obtaining a digital version of the game with a physical copy. It is thanks to this innovation that Microsoft for its consoles announced relatively recently as an indirect response to the planned end of physical discs for PlayStation consoles, so you can play your games from physical discs without having to insert the discs into the console, which is at least very convenient. Of course, upon subsequent sale, the digital license will be automatically canceled, so there is no risk that the game will be "blocked" in any way. And since I have already tried everything myself, it is not out of place to quickly familiarize you with the new feature in more detail.
The new feature is tied to an Xbox system update that's available for both Series S and Series X models. Both are around 400MB in size and take a few moments to install. Once you've installed the update, you're done, as it automatically unlocks the ability to get a digital license for the physical game.
There are several ways to get a digital license for a physical game, all of which are very simple. The first is to "request" it directly through the game's menu (select the game from your menu and press the button with three horizontal lines below it), where you select the "Claim digital license" option and then confirm the pop-up windows. In this case, of course, you need to have the game in the console's drive.
The second option is to insert the game disc into the drive and notchat load it, and once the game is loaded, the license sometimes "pops up" by itself and you don't have to deal with anything. The third option then de facto expands the second option, because here too you just need to insert the disc into the drive and then "just" wait - but with the difference that in this case it is not necessary to obtain the licensechat You still need to update the game (usually a matter of a few MB), which will probably "convert" it to the digital version.
Your discs just got a digital upgrade today! 💿
Now, all players can experience the benefits of digital with most XBOX Series X and XBOX One physical discs: https://t.co/TuUdSr7Or8 pic.twitter.com/IVgrV2NY4v
— — (@XBOX) September 29, 2026
As for launching games from digital copies created in this way, it's absolutely lightning fast and works, unsurprisingly, just like you're used to from classic digitally acquired games. Everything loads instantly and, what I personally like, in complete silence without the "clatter" of the physical disc in the drive.
What's really cool about this is that digital licenses acquired through physical ownership behave exactly the same as classic digital game licenses. So if you have an Xbox set up so that you can share its content with others (for example, in your family), the player on the other console can also play games that you digitized from physical discs. Even if their console doesn't have a physical drive, which I think is a complete game changer. I have an Xbox Series X connected to my brother and his Xbox Series S in exactly the same way, and thanks to this new feature, everything I have physically is now playable.
So I think that this function Microsoft definitely scored and showed that even in the seemingly uninteresting world of game distribution, an interesting novelty can make a complete earthquake. At the same time, I am not afraid to say that this is a feature that can mean a real turning point in the way many people perceive Xbox, because it is not only a big step towards comfort, but also the ability to play your favorite games from discs even where you would not otherwise play them - that is, on consoles without a drive. Personally, MicrosoftI applaud this step and am really excited!
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