ESO PC Game Pass Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Latest Update: June 2, 2026 – Categories: ESO Guides

Welcome to our complete guide to playing The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) on PC Game Pass, covering how to download it, how cross-progression works, what is different from other PC versions, and what to watch out for before you start.

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ESO PC Game Pass Overview

The Elder Scrolls Online is now available on PC Game Pass as part of the Xbox Play Anywhere library, and for new players or returning Xbox console veterans, it’s a great option to explore one of the best MMOs out there! A Game Pass subscription gives you access to the full base game at no extra cost, the experience is optimized for handheld devices like the ROG Xbox Ally, and your Xbox characters travel with you seamlessly between console and PC.

PC Game Pass subscribers can download ESO for free from either the Microsoft Store or the Xbox PC App. Once installed, you are playing on the Xbox realms (NA or EU), not the standard PC Megaservers that Steam and ESO Store players use. This is the same server environment as Xbox console, which means your Xbox characters, progress, and purchases are all accessible and fully cross-progressive.

The version of the game launched from the Microsoft Store or Xbox PC App defaults to Gamepad UI, the same console-style interface Xbox players are used to. Keyboard and mouse are fully supported alongside gamepad, and you can switch between control schemes at any time. The experience has been specifically optimized for handheld devices including the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, making it a strong option for players who want to take Tamriel portable.

Quick Summary

ESO on PC Game Pass is free to download and play for all active subscribers, runs on Xbox realms with full cross-progression, and is optimized for both desktop and handheld devices. Steam and ESO Store accounts are on separate servers and cannot be carried over. Any Crowns, DLC, or add-on purchases must be made through your Xbox account to apply across this version.

How to Download ESO on PC Game Pass

Getting started is fairly straightforward. PC Game Pass subscribers have two options:

1. The Microsoft Store is available at apps.microsoft.com and is the most direct path. Search for The Elder Scrolls Online and download it directly to your PC or handheld device.
2. The Xbox PC App is Microsoft’s gaming hub for Windows. Open the app, search for ESO, and install it from there. Either option lands you in the same version of the game on the same Xbox realms.

Note: If you do not have any form of Game Pass, you can still buy ESO outright from the Microsoft Store or Xbox PC App and play it on the Xbox realms without a subscription.

Cross-Progression and Xbox Accounts

Cross-progression is one of the strongest selling points of this version, but it only works within the Xbox ecosystem.

If you already have an Xbox account with ESO characters, logging in with that same Xbox account on PC gives you full access to all of those characters immediately. Any progress you make on PC carries back to Xbox, and vice versa. The Xbox NA and EU realms are shared across Xbox console, the Microsoft Store version, and the Xbox PC App, so all three platforms are playing in the same world together.

Any Crowns, DLC, or in-game purchases must be made against your Xbox account to carry across platforms. If you buy Crown Store content through a different account or platform, it will not appear on your Xbox characters.

Note: PC Game Pass subscribers who have previously played ESO on Steam, the Epic Games Store, or the official ESO Store are on a completely separate Master Account tied to the PC Megaservers. Those characters and purchases do not transfer to the Xbox realms. The two are entirely distinct accounts, and there is currently no way to merge them.

This is one of the most common points of confusion in the community, and it is worth understanding clearly before you invest time into either version.

UI, Controls, and Add-On Support

The PC Game Pass version of ESO launches in Gamepad UI by default. This is the same console-style interface Xbox players have always used, and it works well with both a controller and keyboard and mouse. You can toggle between control schemes freely at any time from within the game.

For players coming from the standard PC version, the Gamepad UI will feel noticeably different. Menus, inventory navigation, and ability management all behave more like a console experience. ZeniMax has stated they will continue to refine and improve the UI based on player feedback over time, so expect gradual changes.

Add-on support is available but more restricted than the standard PC version. You can browse and install add-ons through the integrated BNET Mod browser within the game. External add-on managers like Minion and sideloading via the PC File Explorer are not supported on this version. Players who rely heavily on custom UI overhauls or advanced add-on setups will find this a meaningful limitation compared to the Steam or ESO Store versions.

Voice chat is fully supported, and the experience is optimized for handheld play on the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.

Who Should Play ESO on PC Game Pass

PC Game Pass is the right choice in a few specific situations:

If you are a new player who already subscribes to PC Game Pass, downloading ESO through the Microsoft Store or Xbox PC App is the most cost-efficient way to get started. The base game is included in your subscription with no additional payment required.

If you are an Xbox console player who wants to move to PC or play on a handheld device, this version is built exactly for you. Your characters, progress, and purchases are all waiting on the Xbox realms, and the transition requires nothing more than logging in with your existing Xbox account.

If you are a handheld gamer using a ROG Xbox Ally or similar Windows device, the experience has been specifically tuned for your hardware. The Gamepad UI is well-suited to handheld play, and the Xbox Game Pass integration makes it one of the smoothest ways to get ESO running on a portable device.

The version is not the right fit if you are an established PC player on Steam or the ESO Store who wants to continue with your existing characters and purchases, or if you depend on advanced PC add-on setups that require external managers.

The Final Word

ESO on PC Game Pass is a great option for new players and Xbox veterans, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. If you are starting fresh or continuing from Xbox, download it from the Microsoft Store or Xbox PC App, log in with your Xbox account, and you are ready to go. If you already have hundreds of hours invested on the PC Megaservers via Steam or the ESO Store, stay on those platforms. The two ecosystems are separate, and there is no path between them right now.

For new subscribers ready to jump in, start with our ESO Zero To Hero to get your build and progression started on the right foot.

ESO PC Game Pass FAQ

1. Is ESO free with PC Game Pass?

Yes. Active PC Game Pass subscribers can download and play the full base game at no extra charge from the Microsoft Store or Xbox PC App.

2. Can I use my existing Steam or ESO Store account on PC Game Pass?

No. PC Game Pass runs on Xbox realms and requires an Xbox account, which is completely separate from Steam or ESO Store accounts.

3. Does ESO PC Game Pass support keyboard and mouse?

Yes. Keyboard and mouse are fully supported alongside gamepad, and you can switch between control schemes at any time in-game.

4. Can I play ESO PC Game Pass on a ROG Xbox Ally?

Yes. The experience is specifically optimized for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.

5. Do my Xbox ESO characters work on PC Game Pass?

Yes. Logging in with your Xbox account gives you full access to all of your existing Xbox characters and progress.

6. Are add-ons supported on the PC Game Pass version?

Add-ons are supported via the in-game BNET Mod browser, but external managers like Minion and sideloading through File Explorer are not permitted.

7. Do I need to rebuy DLC if I already own it on Xbox?

No. Any DLC or Crowns purchased against your Xbox account are accessible on the PC Game Pass version when using that same Xbox account.

8. What if I do not have Game Pass?

You can still buy ESO outright from the Microsoft Store or Xbox PC App and play on the Xbox realms without a subscription.

Check out more ESO Updates and Guides!