Games for Windows - LIVE
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Microsoft |
Windows |
May 29, 2007 |
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Digital Distribution
Key points
- Requires installation of the latest version to function on newer versions of Windows.
- The Marketplace was closed on August 25, 2013 for new purchases; existing purchases can still be downloaded,[1] although the service is prone to outages.[2][3][4]
- DRM: varies; see List of Games for Windows - LIVE games.
- Use the same Microsoft account and gamertag across other Xbox services.
- Only available in Xbox Live Countries and Regions; players outside these areas must use a local profile.
- Most games are region-locked on Steam, Latin America users cannot view or purchase these games.
Download
- Latest version (3.5.95.0) can be downloaded here
Issues unresolved
- If you still have any issues with GFWL, use XLiveLess
Issues fixed
Crashes, errors, impossible to log-in
Reinstall updated client[citation needed]
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- Uninstall Microsoft Games for Windows – LIVE Redistributable.
- Uninstall Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace.
- Reinstall latest version.
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Backing up saves
Back up XLive folder[citation needed]
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- Back up the game's normal save folder.
- Back up the XLive folder:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\XLive
- Restore everything to the same locations.
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Moving saves between gamertags
- If you rename your gamertag or switch to a different one your existing saves won't be shown in-game.[5]
Move saves to new gamertag
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- Log into the game with your new gamertag and save the game to make the new folder, then exit the game.
- Go to the game's save folder, e.g. for Fallout 3 this is
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\Saves\ .
- Move everything from the old gamertag's folder to the new one, replacing all existing files.
- If it worked your saves will now show up in-game under the new gamertag.
- Some games specifically block saves being moved between profiles so this may not work for all games.
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Backing up installers
- Installation files are normally deleted after installation is complete; you can back them up to avoid having to download them again.
- Games reinstalled from backups will not show up as installed in the Marketplace client but will otherwise work normally.
- You may also want to keep a copy of your game keys, accessible from the Marketplace client by going to the item and then choosing View Game Keys.
Backing up installers for games purchased through the Marketplace[citation needed]
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- Download the game through the Marketplace client but do not install it yet.
- Go to the downloads folder, found in the following location by default:
- Vista and later:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\GFWLive\Downloads
- Windows XP:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\GFWLive\Downloads
- Copy the installation files somewhere else then install the game normally if you wish.
- To reinstall the game from your backup extract the CAB file(s) and run the MSI inside.
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Backing up patch update installers[citation needed]
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- Allow the game to download the update in-game when prompted.
- Cancel the UAC prompt or installer window when it appears.
- Go to the updates folder, found in the following location by default:
- Vista and later:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\XLive\Updates
- Windows XP:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\XLive\Updates
- Copy the installation files somewhere else then allow the game to retry the update installation if you wish.
- To reinstall the update from your backup extract the CAB file(s) and run the EXE (or MSI if there is no EXE).
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Sign-in problems
In-game interface does not open
Make sure you logged in the desktop client at least once[citation needed]
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- Open start menu/screen
- Search for Games for Windows
- Open the client and log in there
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Install the Sign-in Assistant[citation needed]
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- These steps do not apply to Windows 8 and later.
- Install the Sign-in Assistant:
- Launch the game again and the interface should now open normally.
Notes
- Fails to install if Windows Update service is disabled[citation needed]
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Ensure Sign-in Assistant service is running[citation needed]
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- If the Sign-in Assistant is installed but not working the service might not be running.
- These steps do not apply to Windows 8 and later.
- Go to Services:
- Vista and 7: open the Start screen/Start menu, type
services.msc and press ↵ Enter.
- Windows XP: press ⊞ Win+R, type
services.msc and press ↵ Enter.
- Open the Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant entry on the list.
- Ensure Startup type is set to Automatic.
- If the service is Stopped, click Start and wait until the Service status says Started.
- Close the Services windows and try again.
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Code: 8015403A error
Try to log in website[citation needed]
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Code: 80048821 error
Try "Sign in with a different gamertag" in the Windows Live ID dropdown menu[citation needed]
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Password contains special characters
- Passwords need to be under 16 ASCII characters[7][8]
Change incompatible password[citation needed]
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- Go to https://account.live.com/Password/Change
- Set a new password that is 16 characters or less and has only ASCII characters.
- Try signing in with your new password.
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Cannot connect in-game
Your Microsoft account might be able to log into other Microsoft services but not GfWL.
Attempt workarounds[citation needed]
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- "Sign in as a different user", then re-enter the same account credentials.
- Open an administrator-level command prompt.
- Enter
netsh.exe interface ipv4 show interfaces and note the number it returns.
- Identify your Local Area Connection, then type in
netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface 10 mtu=1492 store=persistent Replace "10" with the value for your Local Area Connection from the first command's results. This may need to be run every time you want to play the game.
- This problem arises because GFWL tries to alter your network connection's MTU before using it.
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'Can't connect to LIVE. A DNS lookup failed to locate the LIVE servers.' error message
- These instructions are written with Windows 10 in mind but are probably largely the same for Win 7/8/8.1
Flush all DNS entries in cache & change default DNS servers to OpenDNS servers[9]
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Flush the DNS entries from your DNS cache
- Press Windows key + X. Select 'Command Prompt (Admin)'.
- Type the following:- ipconfig /flushdns
- Press Enter.
- Type:- exit then press Enter to close the command prompt window.
Change your DNS servers to OpenDNS servers
- Open the Control Panel (press Start key and type control panel to find it).
- Under the 'Network and Internet' header click 'View network status and tasks'.
- Select the current network used for your internet connection (eg 'Ethernet' or 'Wifi 1'), right-click and select 'Properties' from the context menu.
- Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' from the 'This connection uses the following items' box. Click 'Properties' button.
- Click the checkbox labelled 'Use the following DNS server addresses:'
- In the 'Preferred DNS server:' box type or copy-paste in 208.67.222.222.
- In the 'Alternative DNS server:' box type or copy-paste in 208.67.220.220.
- Click 'OK' and then click 'Close' for internet connection's Properties window.
- Sign out of your Windows log-in or restart your PC for changes to take affect.
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Creating a local profile
- Local profiles don't need internet access.
- Multiplayer, achievements, DLC downloading and in-game patching are unavailable (many games can be patched manually; refer to the individual game pages for details).
- Local profiles can't be used for games that are multiplayer-only or always-online (e.g. Age of Empires Online).
Create local profile[citation needed]
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- While in any game sign out of your existing profile (if you are signed in), then choose Create New Profile.
- Choose Create New Profile again.
- At the Create Gamer Profile screen, scroll down and click the "create a local profile" link.
- Name your profile and click Submit.
- Customize the profile now if you want to, then click Done to save your profile.
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"Games for Windows – LIVE has encountered a corrupted file" error during ZDPP check
Run Zdp.exe[10]
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- Go to the game's installation folder.
- Go into the
Zdp folder.
- Run
Zdp.exe .
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Games not saving under Windows 8/8.1/10
Uninstall & reinstall client with Windows 7 compatibility and as Admin[11]
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- Uninstall Microsoft Games for Windows – LIVE Redistributable.
- Uninstall Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace.
- Reboot Windows.
- Download the latest version of the Games for Windows Marketplace Client] installer.
- Right-click the above installer, go to Properties and click the Compatibility tab. Tick the "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" box and select “Windows 7”. Also tick the "Run this program as an administrator" box. Click Apply and then OK.
- Now run the installer.
- Once installed run your GFWL game and retrieve your Gamertag profile if necessary.
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References