Microsoft offers 25 free PC games with new Windows PCs for Xbox anniversary

What Microsoft is offering

Microsoft is marking a quarter-century of Xbox with a games giveaway tied to new Windows computers. According to Notebookcheck, buyers who purchase and activate a qualifying new Windows PC in the United States can claim a collection called the 25 Years of Xbox Bundle, which contains 25 PC games.

The offer is limited in time and in scope. It applies only to purchases made in the US, and the list of qualifying machines is short, which means many buyers will not be able to take part.

Which devices qualify

The computer must be brand new, but it does not have to be the newest model on sale. It can be a desktop, a laptop or a handheld gaming device, such as the Lenovo Legion Go S, which Notebookcheck names as an example.

Microsoft's own FAQ, as reported by Notebookcheck, narrows the field further. Qualifying machines are certain Windows Home PCs from Microsoft and from partner manufacturers, plus Nvidia RTX Spark devices that run Windows Pro. Other computers with Windows Pro do not count, so buyers of business-oriented machines are largely excluded.

The key dates

The purchase must fall between 12 November 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC and 31 December 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC. Notebookcheck reports that the games became available to claim no later than 30 November 2026.

Anyone who qualifies then has until 12 February 2027 at 11:59 PM UTC to claim the bundle. Missing that deadline means losing the games, so buyers should check eligibility soon after purchase.

How the games work across devices

Most titles in the bundle support Xbox Play Anywhere, a Microsoft scheme that lets one purchase work on both a Windows PC and an Xbox console under the same account. The games can also be played on any compatible Windows PC signed in with that account.

There is one clear restriction: the games stay tied to the account that claimed them and cannot be moved to another account. Buyers planning to gift the machine or share games with family members should keep this in mind.

Why it matters

The promotion is a notable gesture for the Xbox anniversary, but its value depends heavily on the fine print. The US-only restriction and the limited device list exclude most buyers worldwide, including those in Europe.

For readers considering a new Windows PC before the end of 2026, it is worth checking Microsoft's official FAQ before buying to confirm that a specific model qualifies. The claim deadline of 12 February 2027 leaves some room, but the purchase window closes on 31 December 2026.