Summary
Xboxhas confirmed a controversial decision to begin deleting game clips and screenshots users have stored on the Xbox network after a certain period of time. Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S users have previously been able to upload their screenshots and game captures to the Xbox network automatically, where they’ll be stored indefinitely so long as they’re viewed. This new change will forceXboxusers to begin moving their library of clips and screenshots off of the Xbox network and onto their own devices.
Up until now, Xbox users have had a great arrangement when it comes to the digital storage of game clips and screenshots from theirXbox One or Xbox Series X/S consoles. The official Xbox support site previously listed just two restrictions regarding uploaded game captures and screenshots. First, users have just 10 GB of Xbox network storage space. Anything beyond that and users have to delete content to upload new content. Second, content has to receive at least one view or it will be deleted in 30 days. Views could come from the user themself.
The new rules will force Xbox users to clear out theirXbox network storage spacein the next three months and to continue clearing it out regularly going forward. Instead of files being accessible on the Xbox network indefinitely, the updated rules clarify that all files “may” be deleted 90 days after upload. Xbox tells users that any files that players want to keep must be backed up to different devices.
Confirmation of the change is only available via Xbox’s support website. As such, there’s no official explanation or justification for the change. Xbox appears to have simply decided that users no longer need to indefinitely store their game captures orscreenshots on the Xbox network. There’s possibly a financial justification for it, with the change allowing Xbox to clear up server space that was overtaken by bloated game capture storage.
This is hardly the end of the world for Xbox users. They can still store their game captures and screenshots on their Xbox console, or use the Xbox network to transfer those files to their PC or wireless devices with relative ease.Microsoft’s OneDrivealso offers 5GB of free digital storage, should Xbox users have no other options.
Obviously, it’s difficult to cast this decision by Xbox in a positive light. In a best-case scenario, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S users will hear about the change and will transfer their files expediently. It’s tedious, but relatively simple to do. In a worst-case scenario, many Xbox users may not hear about these changes and could lose their precious game clips and screenshots in 90 days without realizing it.Xboxwill hopefully communicate clearly to users via messaging or email when the Xbox network will be deleting their files.
