On July 18, Microsoft made a surprising announcement, stopping the sales and rentals of movies and TV shows on both PC and Xbox platforms. Fans of the service will now need to look elsewhere for their content, although access to previously purchased items will still be available via the Microsoft Movies & TV app.

This change was detailed in updates on the relevant Xbox and Windows FAQ pages. According to the Windows support statement, “Microsoft no longer offers new entertainment content for purchase, including movies and TV shows, on Microsoft.com, Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox.”

While existing purchases will remain accessible in the Movies & TV app, users are informed that personal video playback continues to be supported on Xbox devices and downloads will remain available at maximum HD resolution. However, there is no option for refunds on movie and TV purchases, nor a way to transfer owned content to another platform.

This abrupt shift mirrors prior moves by tech giants like Google and Apple, which similarly ceased sales of movies and TV shows, transitioning their offerings to different app interfaces. Microsoft’s sudden pivot has raised concerns among users about the longevity and availability of their purchased content, highlighting a broader trend in digital media, especially where users find themselves at the mercy of corporate decisions surrounding their digital libraries.