How to Stream Xbox One to Your PC

This article explains how to stream gameplay from an Xbox One to a PC. Both devices need to be on the same network, and the network connection needs to be strong and fast enough to handle streaming.

How to Activate Streaming on Your Xbox One

The first step in streaming an Xbox One to PC is to enable streaming on the Xbox One. This is a pretty easy process:

1. Open System > Settings.

2. Select Preferences > Xbox app connectivity.

3. Select Allow game streaming to other devices.

   Either Allow connections from any device or Only from profiles signed in on this Xbox must be selected. If you share your network with other people, the second option is more secure. Selecting Don't allow the Xbox app to connect will prevent streaming.

How to Stream Xbox One to PC

The second, and final, step in streaming an Xbox One to a PC requires the Windows 10 Xbox app. You can download the free Xbox app from the Windows store if it's not already installed on your computer.

The Xbox app is used to initiate streaming:

1. Make sure your Xbox One is turned on.

2. Launch the Windows 10 Xbox app.

3. Select the Xbox One icon on the left.

4. Locate your Xbox One in the list, then select Connect.
   

   This step is only done once. If your Xbox doesn't show up in the list, verify that it is turned on. If it is, and you still don't see it on the list, you will need to find your Xbox One's IP address and enter it manually.

5. Select Stream.

   This will initiate the stream. If nothing happens, select Test streaming to see what the problem is.

6. After this initial setup has been completed, streaming in the future is even easier. Just launch the Windows 10 Xbox app, select the Xbox One icon on the left, then select Stream.

   If the Xbox One is off, you will first need to select Turn on.

Launching Games From the Xbox App

Once you're streaming, you can launch games and apps from the Xbox One dashboard. The display that you would normally see on your television will still appear on the television, but it will also be mirrored on your PC monitor, tablet, or laptop screen. This allows you to navigate the Xbox dashboard, and launch games, as you normally would.

If you prefer to launch a game directly from your PC to get right into the action, that's also an option.

1. Launch the Xbox app.

2. Navigate to the game hub for the game you want to play.

3. Select Play from console.

   This will automatically connect to the console and start streaming if everything is set up correctly.

How to Control an Xbox One Game From Your PC

If you want to stream your Xbox One to a PC that's in a different room, there's one more additional step. While a controller that's connected to the Xbox One will still be able to control it during streaming, the range of controllers is limited.

That means you need to connect an Xbox One controller to your PC if you want to play a game via streaming. This is less important if you're just streaming a movie or other video, but a controller is still useful in case you need to pause.

The easiest solution is to simply plug your Xbox One controller into your PC with a micro USB cable. Windows 10 will automatically recognize the controller.

If you want a more permanent solution, you may want to consider buying a second controller and pairing it to your PC. Look for the revised design that first came with the Xbox One S if your PC has Bluetooth, or one that comes with a wireless USB dongle if your PC doesn't have Bluetooth.

Streaming In-Game and Party Chat

When you stream from your Xbox to your PC, you can also participate in both party and in-game chat. If you want to do this, you'll need to connect a microphone or headset to your PC before you launch the Xbox app and start streaming.

You can use a USB headset, a headset that's connected to the headphone jack on your computer, or a headset that's connected to your Xbox One controller.

In any case, you will also need to make sure the microphone or headset is set as your default communication device:

1. Open the Control Panel on your PC.

2. Select Hardware and Sound > Manage Audio Devices.

3. Under the Playback tab, right click on your headset and make sure it is set as default device.

4. Under the Recording tab, right click on your headset or microphone and make sure it is set as the default device.

   You may also need to set your headset or microphone to be the default communication device.

What is Xbox One Game Streaming?

There are two different things that game streaming can refer to. The first involves live streaming Xbox One gameplay to a platform like Twitch or YouTube. The other involves streaming from the console to a computer that's connected to the same network.

The purpose of streaming an Xbox One to a PC is that it can turn any Windows 10 PC that's connected to the same network into a remote display for the console. That means you can play games, or watch movies, or use an Xbox One app on any Windows 10 tablet, laptop, or desktop computer, without physically moving the console, as long as everything is hooked up to the same network.