Xbox Game Pass Error 0x80073D13 Drive Selection – Proven Fixes (2026)

Table of Contents

• Why Xbox Game Pass Error 0x80073D13 Drive Selection Happens
• 1. Verify the Drive is Formatted as NTFS
• 2. Set Cluster Size to 4096 Bytes (4K)
• 3. Set the Correct Drive in Xbox App Settings
• 4. Set Windows Default Save Location
• 5. Free Up Storage Space
• 6. Create a New Partition
• 7. Reset Microsoft Store and Gaming Services
• 8. Repair WindowsApps Folder Permissions
• 9. Reinstall the Xbox App
• Advanced Troubleshooting for Xbox Game Pass Error 0x80073D13 Drive Selection
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Hub: Gaming Errors Hub

Quick Answer
An Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection issue occurs when the Xbox app cannot install games to your chosen drive. This is usually caused by the drive being formatted as exFAT or FAT32 instead of NTFS, incorrect cluster size (allocation unit size), insufficient storage space, or permission issues with the WindowsApps folder. The fastest fixes include reformatting the drive to NTFS with 4096-byte cluster size, setting the correct drive in Xbox app settings, and ensuring Windows default save location matches your chosen drive.

Why Xbox Game Pass Error 0x80073D13 Drive Selection Happens

When an Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection occurs, it typically appears during game installation or updates, often when the download gets stuck between 4.5% and 9.5%[reference:0][reference:1]. The error message may read “For this game, choose a drive that’s formatted as NTFS”[reference:2], or you may simply see the error code with no additional explanation[reference:3].

Understanding why Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection happens is the first step toward fixing it. The most common cause is the drive format. Xbox Game Pass games require the drive to be formatted as NTFS. If your drive is formatted as exFAT or FAT32, the Xbox app cannot install games there[reference:4][reference:5][reference:6]. This is because Game Pass uses protected WindowsApps folders that only work on NTFS drives[reference:7].

Cluster size is another critical factor. Xbox Game Pass games require that the drive or partition has a byte allocation size of 4K (4096 bytes)[reference:8][reference:9]. If your drive has a different cluster size (such as 16KB), the installation will fail[reference:10]. This is a common issue on some cloud gaming PCs where the default cluster size is set higher than 4096[reference:11].

Other potential causes include insufficient storage space on the target drive[reference:12][reference:13], corrupted WindowsApps folder permissions[reference:14], Windows not registering the drive as eligible for app installs[reference:15], and the Xbox app requiring at least two disk partitions to install games[reference:16]. For more gaming troubleshooting, visit our Gaming Errors Hub.

1. Verify the Drive is Formatted as NTFS

The first and most important step when encountering an Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection is to check your drive’s file system. Xbox Game Pass games cannot be installed on exFAT or FAT32 drives[reference:17][reference:18].

1. Open File Explorer and go to This PC.
2. Right-click the drive you want to install games on (e.g., D:) and select Properties.
3. Look at the File system field. It should say NTFS[reference:19].
4. If it says exFAT or FAT32, you need to format the drive to NTFS[reference:20].

2. Set Cluster Size to 4096 Bytes (4K)

Even if your drive is NTFS, a Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection can occur if the cluster size (allocation unit size) is not set to 4096 bytes (4K)[reference:21][reference:22]. This is a known issue, especially on cloud gaming PCs where the default cluster size may be set higher[reference:23][reference:24].

1. Open File Explorer, right-click the drive, and select Format.
2. Set File system to NTFS.
3. Set Allocation unit size to 4096 bytes[reference:25].
4. Click Start to format the drive.
5. After formatting, try installing the game again.

3. Set the Correct Drive in Xbox App Settings

Sometimes the Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection occurs because the Xbox app is not set to use the correct drive for game installations[reference:26][reference:27].

1. Open the Xbox app.
2. Click your profile picture in the top-left corner and select Settings[reference:28].
3. Click Install Options in the left sidebar[reference:29].
4. Under Game install options, click the dropdown menu and select your desired drive[reference:30].
5. Click Apply and close the Xbox app.
6. Reopen the Xbox app and try installing the game again.

4. Set Windows Default Save Location

Even after setting the Xbox app’s install drive, Windows may still try to save new apps to the C: drive by default[reference:31]. The two settings need to match to resolve the Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Storage.
3. Scroll down to Advanced storage settings and click it[reference:32].
4. Click “Where new content is saved”[reference:33].
5. Change “New apps will save to” to your target drive[reference:34].
6. Click Apply and restart your PC.

5. Free Up Storage Space

Insufficient storage space on the target drive is a common cause of the Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection[reference:36][reference:37].

1. Open File Explorer and go to This PC.
2. Check the available space on the drive you’re installing to.
3. If space is low, free up space by:
   • Using Disk Cleanup: Right-click the drive > Properties > Disk Cleanup[reference:38].
   • Deleting unnecessary files and old downloads.
   • Uninstalling unused applications.
   • Moving files to another drive or cloud storage[reference:39].
4. After freeing up space, try the installation again.

6. Create a New Partition

Some users have reported that the Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection can be resolved by creating a new partition. The Xbox app may require at least two disk partitions to install games[reference:40].

1. Press Windows + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter[reference:41].
2. Right-click the C: drive and select Shrink Volume[reference:42].
3. Enter the amount of space you want to shrink (this will become the new partition). Leave some space for system files[reference:43].
4. Click Shrink and wait for the process to complete[reference:44].
5. Right-click the Unallocated space and select New Simple Volume[reference:45].
6. Set File system to NTFS and Allocation unit size to 4096 bytes or Default[reference:46].
7. Open the Xbox app, go to Settings, and select the new drive as the game install directory[reference:47].

7. Reset Microsoft Store and Gaming Services

Resetting the Microsoft Store and Gaming Services can resolve Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection caused by corrupted cache or settings[reference:48][reference:49].

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find Microsoft Store, click the three dots (•••), and select Advanced options.
3. Scroll down and click Reset.
4. Repeat for Xbox and Gaming Services.
5. Restart your PC and try installing the game again.

8. Repair WindowsApps Folder Permissions

Sometimes the WindowsApps folder on your target drive has corrupted security entries, causing the Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection[reference:50].

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the root of your target drive (e.g., D:).
2. Right-click the WindowsApps folder and select Properties.
3. Go to the Security tab.
4. Click Advanced and check if the permissions look correct.
5. If permissions are corrupted, you may need to take ownership of the folder or reset permissions using the Windows App troubleshooter.

9. Reinstall the Xbox App

If none of the above methods resolve the Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection, reinstalling the Xbox app is the next logical step[reference:51].

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find Xbox, click the three dots (•••), and select Uninstall.
3. Restart your PC.
4. Open the Microsoft Store, search for Xbox, and install it.
5. Launch the Xbox app, log in, and try installing the game again.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Xbox Game Pass Error 0x80073D13 Drive Selection

If none of the standard methods resolve the Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection, deeper system issues may be involved. Here are advanced solutions for persistent cases.

Create a New Administrator Account:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Click “Add someone else to this PC” and create a new local account with administrator privileges.
3. Log into the new account, open the Xbox app, and try installing the game.
4. If it works, the issue is with your original user profile.

Run Windows Update:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install all pending updates[reference:52].
2. Many Xbox app issues have been fixed by Windows updates.

Check Your Game Pass Subscription Status:

1. Ensure your Xbox Game Pass for PC or Game Pass Ultimate subscription is active[reference:53].
2. Open the Xbox app or Microsoft Store and check your subscription status.

Contact Xbox Support:

1. If all else fails, visit Xbox Support[reference:54].
2. Provide details about the error and the steps you have already tried.

For more gaming troubleshooting, explore our Gaming Errors Hub.

Conclusion

Encountering an Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection is frustrating, especially when you’re eager to play a new game. However, the vast majority of cases are resolved with the methods above. Start with the simplest fixes—verifying the drive is NTFS with 4096-byte cluster size—before progressing to more advanced solutions like creating a new partition or reinstalling the Xbox app.

If you have tried every fix and the Xbox Game Pass error 0x80073D13 drive selection still persists, consider that the problem may be related to your Game Pass subscription or a system-level issue. Check your subscription status or contact Xbox Support for further assistance. For broader gaming troubleshooting, explore our Gaming Errors Hub.

For similar installation and drive issues on other platforms, check out our guides on EA App Your Game Failed to Launch or Battle.net Launcher Stuck on Initializing.

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FAQ