How to Download and Install a Game on the Xbox 360

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Last Updated: October 7, 2024

The Xbox 360 provides access to a stunning array of downloadable content to enrich and expand your gaming and entertainment experience. Thousands of full games and game demos are available through the Xbox Live dashboard.

1

Sign into Xbox Live.

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Power up your Xbox 360 and sign in. If your Xbox does not automatically sign into Xbox Live, use your game controller arrow buttons to arrow over to the center block. Pressing A selects that box and will sign you into Xbox Live.
- If you haven’t already, sign up for Xbox Live—a free membership service is sufficient to access downloadable games.

2

Open the Games Marketplace.

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Then arrow to the right until "Games" is highlighted. Arrow down twice to highlight "Games Marketplace" and press A. This will open the Games Marketplace and the main dashboard for accessing game content on Xbox Live.

3

Find what you want to download.

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The dashboard will direct you to new games, demos, and add-ons that are popular right now. You can arrow through the different categories until you find what you want to download. If you know what content you want to download, hit Y to enter the search feature. By navigating back and forth through the alphabet and selecting letters (with A), you can search for the game you're looking for. Each letter will further narrow down your search.

4

Download the game.

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This will open the download screen. Arrow to "Confirm Download" and select with A. Do not turn your Xbox off while the file is downloading. Xbox will alert you when it’s finished.

5

Return to the Xbox 360 home screen.

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Alternatively, press B repeatedly to access your home screen. Then, arrow back to the Games menu and select "My Games”—your new game will be waiting for you in that menu!

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I can't find Xbox marketplace on my 360. What can I do?

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Make sure you are connected to the internet, and logged into a Microsoft account on your Xbox. Then, simply go to the games tab on your Xbox dashboard, and select browse games.

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Tips

If your download does not complete, turn off your Xbox and reboot your Internet connection and try again.

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You will need to make sure you have enough storage space on your hard drive for the new download. From the Xbox 360 Home screen you can navigate to "settings" > "system" > "storage" to review your available storage.

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You will need enough Microsoft Points for any downloads that aren't free. Your download screen will give you an option to "Add Points" and if you've saved a credit card to your Xbox Live account it can charge it automatically. Otherwise sign in to the Xbox Live website using your Xbox Live account information and follow their instructions.

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