Microsoft is giving away 25 free games when you activate a new Windows PC

In celebration of Xbox' 25th anniversary, Microsoft has announced that it is giving away 25 free PC games. However, the conditions required for eligibility greatly narrows down those who will get the free games.

According to a FAQ released on its website, the games will be released as a collection called the 25 Years of Xbox Bundle. The limited-time offer can be claimed by anyone who purchases and activates a qualifying new Windows PC in the US.

The Windows PC, which can be a desktop, laptop, or a handheld such as the Lenovo Legion Go S (available on Amazon for $786.44), has to be brand new, but doesn't have to be the latest model. However, it must have been purchased between 12:00 AM UTC on November 2, 2026 and  11:59 PM UTC on December 31, 2026. The games will be available to claim no later than November 30, 2026 and must be claimed before February 12, 2027 at 11:59 PM UTC.

Microsoft says the eligible devices include select Windows Home PCs from Microsoft and OEM device lines, and qualifying Nvidia RTX Spark devices running Windows Pro. Other Windows Pro devices are not eligible.

The games in the bundle are listed below:

1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

2. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

3. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

4. Minecraft Dungeons

5. Gears of War: Reloaded

6. Call of Duty: WWII

7. The Elder Scrolls Online

8. Fallout 76

9. DOOM

10. DOOM II

11. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition

12. Age of Mythology: Retold

13. Quake

14. Quake II

15. Wolfenstein: The New Order

16. The Outer Worlds

17. Rise of Nations: Extended Edition

18. As Dusk Falls

19. Battletoads

20. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

21. Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection

22. Fuzion Frenzy

23. Gears Tactics

24. Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

25. BLINX: The Time Sweeper

Most of the games support Xbox Play Anywhere, so you can play them on your PC and Xbox consoles with the same Microsoft account. You can also play the games on any compatible Windows PC using the same account. However, the games cannot be transferred to another account.

Microsoft adds that you do not need to create a new account to claim the bundle. If you already own a Microsoft account, sign in on the new eligible PC or handheld using the account. Open the Microsoft Store app on your PC, go to Library, select “Included with device”, select “25 years of Xbox Bundle”, confirm the Microsoft account, and claim the bundle of games. The digital licenses for all 25 games will be added to the account.