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Microsoft has stopped selling new movies and TV shows through Microsoft.com, the Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox. Microsoft says this is a sales shutdown—not an immediate deletion of customers’ existing libraries. Previously purchased titles remain playable through the Microsoft Movies & TV app on supported Windows devices and Xbox consoles, subject to account, licensing, region, app, and device restrictions.
What Microsoft actually discontinued
The change affects transactional purchases through three Microsoft storefronts:
- Microsoft.com
- Microsoft Store on Windows
- Microsoft Store on Xbox
Microsoft’s support documentation says it no longer offers new entertainment content, including movies and TV shows, for purchase through those storefronts. The official guidance is available in Microsoft’s Movies & TV support page.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThis does not mean that the Microsoft Movies & TV app has become universally useless. Microsoft still identifies it as the playback route for previously purchased content on supported Windows devices and Xbox consoles. It is also separate from Media Player, the general Microsoft Store app, Netflix, and other streaming services.
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- 720p resolution - View your favorite movies, shows and games in high definition.
- Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
- DTS Virtual-X Sound - An immersive sound format creates a three-dimensional sound experience with your TV’s speakers.
- Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
When did the change happen?
The broader Microsoft movie and TV sales change was publicly reported on July 18, 2025. That date should not be confused with the earlier Xbox 360 shutdown.
Microsoft separately announced that the Xbox 360 Store and Marketplace would stop supporting new purchases on July 29, 2024. After that date, the Movies & TV app no longer functioned on Xbox 360. The two events have different dates and scopes: Xbox 360 lost Movies & TV playback in 2024, while the broader Microsoft Store sales change was reported in 2025.
Microsoft’s announcement about the Xbox 360 change is documented in Xbox Wire.
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According to Microsoft, previously purchased movies and TV shows remain available through the Microsoft Movies & TV app on supported Windows devices and Xbox consoles. That is the current official access position, but it is not the same as a guarantee of permanent, unrestricted ownership.
A digital purchase generally remains tied to:
- The Microsoft account used for the original transaction
- Microsoft’s authorization and licensing systems
- The Movies & TV app
- A supported device and region
- The continued availability of the relevant title and playback infrastructure
In practical terms, a purchase is not necessarily an independent, DRM-free video file that can be copied to any device. Microsoft says previously purchased content remains playable, but it does not promise indefinite support on every future Windows, Xbox, mobile, television, or third-party platform.
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- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 40" flat screen TV with bright 1080p Full HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Where can you watch existing purchases?
Microsoft’s documentation specifically identifies:
- Windows devices: Use the Microsoft Movies & TV app.
- Xbox consoles: Use the Microsoft Movies & TV app on supported consoles.
Do not assume that the library will appear automatically on iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, smart TVs, PlayStation, or Amazon Fire TV. The official guidance does not establish a universal Movies & TV app experience across those platforms.
Can you download everything you bought?
Do not treat downloads as universally guaranteed. Microsoft confirms continued use of previously purchased content, but download availability and behavior can vary by title, device, region, and current app version. Check each title on the specific Windows device or Xbox console you intend to use.
Are refunds available?
Microsoft’s support information says movies and TV shows are generally ineligible for refunds under the Microsoft Store Terms of Sale. “Generally ineligible” is not the same as “never refundable.” Billing errors, unauthorized transactions, statutory consumer rights, and discretionary support decisions can differ by country and circumstance.
The storefront closure alone should not be treated as an automatic refund event. If a previously purchased title is missing or will not play, contact Microsoft Support before buying it again.
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- 1080p resolution - View your favorite movies, shows and games in full high definition.
- Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
- DTS Virtual-X Sound - An immersive sound format creates a three-dimensional sound experience with your TV’s speakers.
- Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
The Xbox 360 exception
Xbox 360 owners face a more serious limitation. Microsoft’s July 29, 2024 shutdown ended new Xbox 360 Store and Marketplace purchases, and the Movies & TV app stopped working on Xbox 360 after that date.
That does not mean every Microsoft movie purchase disappeared in 2024. It means Xbox 360 is no longer a supported Movies & TV playback destination under Microsoft’s current guidance. Owners who still have eligible purchases should look to supported Windows devices or newer Xbox consoles, while recognizing that access remains account- and licensing-dependent.
How to find a missing Microsoft purchase
- Sign in with the original Microsoft account. A different personal, work, family, or Xbox account may show an empty library.
- Open the Microsoft Movies & TV app. Do not rely on Media Player or the general Microsoft Store app to replace it.
- Check the purchased-content library. Search for the title and verify that you are looking at the correct account.
- Confirm device support. The official guidance centers on supported Windows devices and Xbox consoles, not every connected television or mobile device.
- Check for account, region, and licensing problems. A region change, delisting, authorization failure, or temporary service issue can affect availability.
- Contact Microsoft Support. Do this before repurchasing a title that appears to be missing.
A missing title is not automatically proof that Microsoft has revoked every customer’s license. Individual failures can result from account mismatches, app problems, licensing restrictions, regional limitations, or service outages.
Can Microsoft purchases move to another service?
There is no universal migration tool for Microsoft movie and TV purchases. Movies Anywhere can help with some eligible movies, but it is not a general transfer system for every Microsoft title.
Movies Anywhere generally requires:
- A supported country or region, principally the United States
- A participating studio
- An eligible movie
- Connected participating retailer accounts
As of June 8, 2026, its listed participating retailers include Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango, Google Play/YouTube, Xfinity, Verizon Fios TV, and DIRECTV. The current list is available at Movies Anywhere’s participant page.
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- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 24" flat screen TV with bright 720p HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Connecting accounts is not the same as transferring every license. Microsoft-purchased TV seasons generally do not receive the same portability treatment as eligible movies, and nonparticipating studios or titles will not automatically appear in the Movies Anywhere library. Review the service’s terms of use and title eligibility before assuming a purchase can be carried over.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Replacement storefronts
| Service | Best for | Main advantage | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple TV Store | Apple households | Apple ecosystem, with downloads documented for compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC devices | Apple-centered experience; availability and formats vary by title and market |
| Amazon Prime Video | Amazon and Fire TV users | Purchases and rentals alongside subscriptions and channels | A Prime subscription is not ownership of every title in its catalog |
| Fandango at Home | Movie collectors | Dedicated movie rentals, purchases, sales, and Movies Anywhere participation | More movie-focused than TV-season focused |
| Google TV/YouTube | Android and Google TV users | Purchases appear in the Library when the same Google account is used | Account and platform synchronization must be managed carefully |
| Movies Anywhere | Eligible movie buyers | Can gather qualifying purchases from connected retailers | Not universal and generally not a solution for TV-season migration |
Apple TV Store
The Apple TV Store is a logical replacement for Apple-device households that want to buy or rent individual titles. Apple’s official guide explains purchasing, rentals, and title-specific HD or 4K availability. Apple also documents downloads to compatible Apple devices and PC.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon is useful for households already using Amazon accounts or Fire TV. Its documentation distinguishes digital purchases, rentals, subscription access, channel access, and ad-supported access. Those are different rights models. A title included with Prime is not necessarily a permanent purchase, and a purchased title is not automatically portable to every other retailer.
Fandango at Home
Fandango at Home is the closest fit for readers seeking a dedicated transactional movie storefront. It supports rentals and purchases and participates in Movies Anywhere. It is less suitable for people whose priority is building a large TV-season library.
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Google says movies bought or rented through Google TV or YouTube are added to the user’s Library when the same account is used. See Google’s support guidance. This is a practical option for Android, Chromecast, Google TV, and YouTube households, but it is not a guarantee that every purchase will synchronize with every third-party movie locker.
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- All-in-one: Get right to your good stuff. With Fire TV, you can enjoy a world of entertainment from apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Plus, stream for free with Fire TV Channels, Pluto TV, Tubi, and more. Access over 1.8 million movies and TV episodes. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
- Smart Home: Your smart home hub. Pair Fire TV with compatible smart home devices to see live camera feeds, use AirPlay, control your lighting and thermostat, and more.
- Free Content: Stream for free. Access over 1 million free movies and TV episodes from popular ad-supported streaming apps like Fire TV Channels, Tubi, and Pluto TV. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
What this means for digital ownership
The Microsoft change illustrates the central risk of digital storefronts: access depends on an account, licensing agreements, authorization servers, supported applications, and compatible hardware. A “purchase” can provide long-term access without being equivalent to an independent file that remains usable regardless of the seller’s platforms.
Cross-retailer services such as Movies Anywhere can reduce dependence on one storefront for eligible movies, but they do not eliminate it. They do not cover every studio, every title, every country, or most TV-season purchases.
Physical discs can provide a more independent option for readers who prioritize long-term access, but they are not risk-free. Discs can be damaged, playback hardware can become obsolete, and digital redemption codes can expire or be restricted. The practical lesson is to choose a storefront based on the devices you actually use, maintain access to the purchasing account, and avoid assuming that a streaming subscription or digital locker covers every title you own.
The bottom line
Microsoft has ended new movie and TV sales through Microsoft.com, the Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox. Microsoft says existing purchases remain playable through the Movies & TV app on supported Windows devices and Xbox consoles. Xbox 360 is the important exception: its Movies & TV playback ended on July 29, 2024.
For future purchases, choose a retailer that fits your devices and consider linking eligible movie purchases to Movies Anywhere. Do not assume that Microsoft TV seasons—or every Microsoft movie—can be transferred, downloaded everywhere, or accessed indefinitely on platforms Microsoft has not identified as supported.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
