Windows 10’s Setup process gets ads for Xbox Game Pass. Xbox Game Pass is a new service that allows you to buy games and play them on your Xbox One or Windows 10 device. The service is free to use, but you can pay for a subscription that gives you more features and access to games. One of the ways that Xbox Game Pass ads are appearing in Windows 10 is through the Setup process. When you first start up Windows 10, it asks if you want to install the Xbox Game Pass service. If you answer yes, it will ask for your credit card information. After you have given your information, it will start the setup process and show you an ad for Xbox Game Pass. If you don’t want to install the Xbox Game Pass service, or if your credit card doesn’t work with the ad, then Windows 10 will continue to run without any problems. However, if you do decide to install the Xbox GamePass service, then be sure to use a different credit card than the one that was used when you first started up Windows 10.
First Candy Crush and now this: Windows 10 will soon beg you to set up a $1 subscription (recurring at $10 per month) while setting up a PC. Don’t you want Xbox Game Pass? Are you sure you want to say “No thanks” and just use your new PC?
This latest news comes from Albacore, who has a track record of finding many new features in Windows 10 before they become public knowledge. As of June 2021, it’s likely that this new “feature” is being tested in Insider builds of Windows 10. As usual, the feature may be changed or never see the light of day.
While setting up a new PC, you may see a “Discover your next favorite game” page that prompts you to either click “Join for $1.00” or say “No thanks” to this amazing offer.
Of course, only the first month is $1. The service is actually $10 per month, which is a pretty standard tactic, but somehow feels cheap when it’s integrated into Windows 10’s setup process.
— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) June 10, 2021
At least Candy Crush is gone. Small victories.
