As of Friday, July 18, Microsoft has officially removed the option to purchase or rent digital movies and TV series through the Xbox Store, Microsoft Store on Windows, and Microsoft.com. Going forward, the Movies & TV app will serve only as a way for users to access content they’ve previously purchased.
This sudden change came without any prior announcement, leaving many users surprised—and frustrated—especially those who regularly used the service to rent or buy entertainment.
“Microsoft no longer offers entertainment content for acquisition, including movies and TV shows… However, you can continue watching your content purchased in the Movies & TV app on Windows or Xbox devices,” the company confirmed via its official support page.
No Refunds or Transfers
One key point drawing criticism is that Microsoft will not be issuing refunds for previously purchased movies or TV shows. Additionally, there’s no option to transfer or migrate content to other platforms—so if you want to rewatch your library through another service, you’ll need to repurchase it.
This decision raises concerns among digital media buyers, who fear they could eventually lose access altogether if Microsoft decides to sunset the Movies & TV app itself. So far, Microsoft has not clarified how long this access will remain.
Part of a Bigger Industry Shift
While unexpected, Microsoft’s move isn’t entirely unique. Apple made a similar decision in 2023, retiring movie and TV purchases from iTunes and shifting focus to the Apple TV app. Google, two years earlier, phased out Google Play Movies & TV, consolidating its offerings under YouTube and the Google TV app.
Still, both Apple and Google have continued to offer previously purchased content to users, while Microsoft’s abrupt approach—with no migration options or long-term guarantees—has sparked unease.
A Bigger Problem for Digital Ownership
This change highlights a growing issue in the digital content world: ownership versus access. Whether it’s movies, music, or video games, digital content can vanish with little warning—either due to licensing changes, platform decisions, or corporate strategy shifts.
We’ve already seen similar events in the gaming space, such as the removal of titles like The Crew and the upcoming Concord, or even streaming platforms like Disney+ pulling their own original shows from service—a concept that once seemed unthinkable.
For now, if you’ve purchased movies or TV shows through Microsoft’s platforms, you can still watch them—but for how long remains unclear.
