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Games for Windows - LIVE

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Games for Windows - LIVE
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Digital Distribution

Games for Windows - LIVE (GFWL) is an online gaming service provided by Microsoft. Users sign in with their Microsoft account (previously called Windows Live ID). GFWL enables achievements and cross platform chat with Xbox LIVE users.

Issues And Fixes

Password Special Characters

Passwords need to be under 16 characters and contain no non-Unicode characters such as $%&%^><. If your password contains any of these characters you will most likely not be able to sign in to the GFWL client in your game. Should you need to change your password go to https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx.

Changing Gamertag Breaks Savegames

The changing of one's GFWL Gamertag will result in savegames becoming invalid.[1]

It is possible to retrieve savegames by renaming the Gamertag folder to the new Gamertag (on a per-game basis).[2] For example, the Gamertag folder for Fallout 3 is in the following location:

%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Games\Fallout3\Saves\

Problems running games with GFWL

GFWL uses the Microsoft Sign-in assistant which is bundled with the Live Essentials software - however, GFWL will never prompt you to install this.

To resolve this issue, download and install the Live Essentials software bundle. It is recommended you only install messenger and disable run on startup (but can use the email client if you so wish).

Cannot connect in-game

Your Microsoft account might be able to log into other Microsoft services but not GFWL. Two possible fixes are:

  • "Sign in as a different user", then re-enter the same account credentials.
  • Open an administrator-level command prompt (enter "cmd" without the quotes into the Start menu search dialog, then hit Ctrl-Shift-Enter). Type in

netsh.exe interface ipv4 show interfaces. Identify your Local Area Connection, then type in netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface 10 mtu=1492 store=persistent where "10" is the value for your Local Area Connection from the first command's results. This may need to be run every time you want to play the game. This problem arises because GFWL tries to alter your network connection's MTU before using it.

Moving/backing up saves

If you need to back up the saves for a Games for Windows Live game or move them to another computer don't forget to include the Xlive folder: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\XLive

Restore this folder back to the same location. Your saves might not work without it.

Crashes

Many people have problems with GFWL crashing in-game or when launching. See Games For Windows - Live Crashing SOLUTION for a fix.

Unable to sign in

Aside from using an incorrect username or password, issues being unable to sign in with GFWL may also appear in Windows Live Messenger. Common fixes include:

  • Uninstalling and re-installing Windows Live Messenger.
  • Restarting the computer.

Create a local profile

Local profiles don't need internet access.
Multiplayer, achievements, DLC downloading and in-game patching are unavailable.
Local profiles can't be used for games that are multiplayer-only or always-online (e.g. Age of Empires Online).


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Sign out of your existing profile (if you are signed in), then choose Create New Profile.


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Choose Create New Profile again.


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At the Create Gamer Profile screen, scroll down and click the "create a local profile" link. Name your profile and click Submit.


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Customize the profile now if you want to, then click Done to save your profile.


References