In a significant move, Microsoft has officially discontinued its Movies & TV app, which was previously available through the Microsoft Store on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. This app allowed users to rent or purchase movies and television shows directly through their devices, offering a native entertainment experience within the Microsoft ecosystem.
According to a recently updated support page, Microsoft has ceased offering new entertainment content for sale. The statement reads:
Microsoft no longer offers new entertainment content for purchase, including movies and TV shows, on Microsoft.com, Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox.
While new purchases are no longer possible, Microsoft has assured users that previously acquired content will remain accessible. Users can continue to watch their purchased movies and shows through the Movies & TV app on Xbox or Windows devices. Downloaded content will still play in the highest resolution supported by the device, ensuring no loss in playback quality.
However, Microsoft has clarified that there is no built-in method to transfer purchased content to another platform. As a workaround, users in the United States can utilize Movies Anywhere, a third-party service that allows eligible movies bought from various digital storefronts to be synced across platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and others. Microsoft’s support page confirms that Movies & TV purchases can still be linked to Movies Anywhere, provided the content is eligible and the user is located in the U.S.
Despite the closure of its native entertainment store, Microsoft continues to support third-party streaming and video purchasing apps. Services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and others remain available for download and use on both Xbox and Windows platforms. Importantly, Microsoft has stated that it will not issue refunds for any previous purchases made through the Movies & TV app.
The Movies & TV app has had a long history, originally launched in 2012 under the name Xbox Video, replacing the earlier Zune Video Marketplace that dated back to 2006. It was part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to position the Xbox One—released in 2013—as a comprehensive multimedia hub. However, the app’s closure marks a definitive end to that vision, signaling Microsoft’s full transition away from its former ambitions in digital entertainment retail.
