Last updated: October 2, 2026

The quick answer

Xbox Disc-to-Digital is now open to all players: insert a supported Xbox One or Xbox Series X game disc into a console with a disc drive while signed in, and Xbox adds a digital license for that game to your account. The catch is that the license stays tied to the disc, so if you sell or lend the disc, the digital copy goes with it.

What happened

Microsoft announced Disc-to-Digital on Xbox Wire in late August and tested it with Xbox Insiders from August 31. At the end of September it rolled out to everyone, as GameSpot, Engadget and Game Informer reported. The idea is simple: games you already own on disc become digital entitlements in your library, so you can launch them without swapping discs.

Microsoft says the program covers most Xbox Series X and Xbox One physical discs, but not every game. Publishers decide whether their titles take part, and eligibility can change over time. GameSpot reports that Ubisoft and Sega have confirmed participation. According to Xbox Wire, a digital license also unlocks Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming where a game already supports them.

Key details at a glance

Question	Answer
Who can use it	All Xbox players, after the Insider test
Discs supported	Most Xbox One and Xbox Series X game discs
Console needed	Any Xbox with a disc drive (Xbox One or Xbox Series X)
Xbox Series S or digital editions	Can’t read discs, so they can’t claim licenses
What you get	A digital license in your library, shown with a badge
Who owns the license	Whoever last inserted the disc on their account

What changes for you

If you have a shelf of Xbox discs, you can turn most of them into digital games and stop hunting for the right case every time you want to play. Engadget notes this also helps future-proof collections in case Microsoft’s next console ships without a disc drive.

The important rule is that the license follows the disc, not you. If you lend a disc to a friend and they insert it, they receive the digital license and you lose it. When they give it back and you insert it again, the license returns to your account. If you sell the disc, the buyer gets the digital game.

Storage is the other practical limit. Modern games can be very large, so digitizing a big collection may mean adding an external drive.

How to convert your Xbox discs to digital

1. Update your console and sign in with the account you want the licenses on.
2. Optional, for big collections: go to Settings > Profile & system > Devices & connections > Disc and turn off “Play disc automatically” so each disc doesn’t launch or install on its own.
3. Insert a disc and wait for the notification confirming the digital license.
4. Eject and repeat for the next disc.
5. Check your library. Converted games show a badge, so you can see at a glance which discs are done.
6. Keep your discs. Store them safely and don’t sell or lend them unless you’re happy to hand over the digital copy too.

Who it affects and who it doesn’t

• Most useful for: Xbox Series X and Xbox One owners with physical game collections.
• Useful later for: players who plan to move to a disc-free console, as long as they convert their discs first on a console with a drive.
• Not covered: games whose publishers haven’t opted in, and consoles without a disc drive.
• Watch out: anyone who buys or sells used games. The digital license now changes hands with the disc.

Microsoft has other changes landing this month, including support deadlines for older Office and Windows versions. See Microsoft’s October 2026 deadlines.

FAQ

Can I sell the disc and keep the digital game?

No. The license is tied to the disc. When someone else inserts it on their account, the digital license moves to them.

Does it work on Xbox Series S?

No. The Series S has no disc drive, so it can’t read a disc to claim the license.

Does every Xbox game qualify?

No. Microsoft says most Xbox One and Series X discs work, but some titles are excluded and the list can change because of licensing and publisher decisions.

Sources

• Xbox Wire: Your Discs. Now Also Digital.
• GameSpot: Xbox Disc-To-Digital program is officially live for everyone
• Engadget: Xbox’s disc-to-digital feature is now available for everyone
• Game Informer: Xbox Disc-To-Digital program now available for all players
• gHacks: Microsoft opens Xbox Disc-to-Digital to all players