This site uses cookies for analytics, personalized content and ads. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to this use. Learn more
Skip to main content
Microsoft
Xbox
Xbox
  • Home
    • Xbox One consoles
    • Xbox One X
    • Xbox One S
    • Xbox for families
    • Shop consoles
    • Games home
    • Xbox One games
    • Xbox One X Enhanced games
    • Xbox Game Pass
    • Backward Compatible games
    • Xbox Play Anywhere games
    • Games with Gold
    • Deals with Gold
    • Sales & Specials
    • Xbox 360 games
    • Windows 10 games
    • EA Access
    • Redeem Code
    • Meet Xbox Live
    • Xbox Live Gold
    • Mixer
    • Xbox App
    • Shop accessories
    • Design your controller
    • Windows 10 Gaming
    • Xbox App on Windows 10
    • All support
    • Xbox One
    • Xbox 360
    • Xbox on Windows 10
    • Games
    • Billing
    • My Account
    • Mixer
    • Xbox Forums
    • Error & Status Code Search
    • Xbox Live Status
    • Home
    • Profile
    • Achievements
    • Friends
    • Messages
    • My games
    • Clubs
      • Office
      • Windows
      • Surface
      • Xbox
      • Deals
      • Support
      • Windows apps
      • OneDrive
      • Outlook
      • Skype
      • OneNote
      • PCs & tablets
      • Accessories
      • Xbox games
      • PC games
      • Windows digital games
      • Movies & TV
      • Microsoft Azure
      • Microsoft Dynamics 365
      • Microsoft 365
      • Microsoft Industry
      • Data platform
      • Microsoft Advertising
      • .NET
      • Visual Studio
      • Windows Server
      • Windows Dev Center
      • Docs
      • Microsoft Store
      • Microsoft Rewards
      • Free downloads & security
      • Education
      • Gift cards
    • View Sitemap
    0 Basket
    Sign in
    Share this page

    Xbox Support

    Xbox One
    Xbox 360
    Xbox on Windows 10
    Games
    Backward capability Game setup Game titles Purchasing Troubleshooting
    Mixer
    Billing
    My account

    Forza Horizon 3 FAQ

    Have a question about Forza Horizon 3? Check here for answers to common questions.

    On this page

    Topics

    anchor
    Forza Horizon 3 is an Xbox Play Anywhere game. What does that mean?
    anchor
    I was prompted to upgrade my Windows device to play Forza Horizon 3. Which version do I need?
    anchor
    Do I need additional software to play Forza Horizon 3 on my Windows device?
    anchor
    What are the hardware requirements?
    anchor
    What happens if I download Forza Horizon 3 on a device that doesn't meet the hardware requirements?
    anchor
    How long does it take to download Forza Horizon 3?
    anchor
    What kind of accessory device do I need to control Forza Horizon 3?
    anchor
    Can I use a wheel?
    anchor
    Do I need a Microsoft account to play Forza Horizon 3?
    anchor
    Do I need to be online or connected to the Internet to play Forza Horizon 3 on a Windows 10 device?
    anchor
    On how many devices can I install Forza Horizon 3?
    anchor
    Why should I sign in to Xbox Live with a Microsoft account?
    anchor
    Why am I not receiving in-game invites?
    anchor
    I want to view or change my HDR settings for Forza Horizon 3. How can I do this?

    Forza Horizon 3 is an Xbox Play Anywhere game. What does that mean?

    When you purchase an Xbox Play Anywhere game digitally, it’s yours to play on both Xbox and Windows 10. You only need to purchase the game once via Microsoft Store on your Xbox or Windows 10 device and it’ll appear in your game library wherever you sign in.

    If you purchased the game on Xbox and want to play it on Windows 10, sign in on your Windows 10 device. If the game is already installed on your device, it’ll appear in your list of apps. Otherwise, you can install it by opening the Store and selecting My library.

    If you purchased the game on Windows 10 and want to play it on your Xbox console, sign in on your console and go to My games & apps. If the game is already installed, it’ll appear in your game list. Otherwise, you can find it in the Ready to install section.

    To learn more about Xbox Play Anywhere, and to see which games are supported, visit the Xbox Play Anywhere website. You can also see Troubleshoot problems with Xbox Play Anywhere games if you’re having any problems finding Forza Horizon 3 or content on your Xbox One or Windows 10 device.

    I was prompted to upgrade my Windows device to play Forza Horizon 3. Which version do I need?

    To download and install Forza Horizon 3 on Windows 10, you need a device running version 1607, 14393.102 or later.

    Additionally, your device must be running a 64-bit version of Windows 10. If you have a 32-bit version, you won't be able to play Forza Horizon 3.

    To check if you're running an appropriate version of Windows on your device, see How to find out if a game will work on your Windows device.

    Do I need additional software to play Forza Horizon 3 on my Windows device?

    Yes, you need to have DirectX 12 or later installed to play Forza Horizon 3. To check which version of DirectX is installed on your device, see How to find out if a game will work on your Windows device.

    What are the hardware requirements?

    The hardware requirements for Forza Horizon 3 will vary depending on whether you're playing on Xbox or Windows 10. Visit the product detail page for each platform to determine the size of the game, the system requirements (particularly for Windows 10 devices), as well as any additional info about the game.

    Note As this is an Xbox Play Anywhere game, you can purchase it digitally on either Xbox or Windows 10 and own both versions of the game. The product detail pages give specifications for each platform for info only; you don't need to purchase the game twice.

    Xbox

    To view the installation requirements for Xbox, visit the Forza Horizon 3 product detail page.

    To check if your Xbox has enough available disk space, see How to find out if a game will work on your Windows 10 device.

    Windows 10

    To view the system requirements for Windows 10, visit the Forza Horizon 3 product detail page.

    To check if your Windows 10 device has enough available disk space, find out which graphics card is installed, and view other important details about your device, see How to find out if a game will work on your Windows 10 device.

    What happens if I download Forza Horizon 3 on a device that doesn't meet the hardware requirements?

    We recommend that you check the device specifications first to make sure your device meets the minimum requirements. For more info, see How to find out if a game will work on your Windows 10 device.

    If you've already downloaded the game, you can try adjusting the in-game graphics options in the game settings. Here’s how:

    1. Go to Options in the main menu.
    2. Select Video and then Screen Resolution.
    3. Set the screen resolution to a low setting. Lower settings may work better.
    4. Set Dynamic Render Quality to Low. This should maximize performance at the cost of visual quality.

    For a full list of tips and tricks to improve your in-game performance, visit the Forza Motorsport website.

    How long does it take to download Forza Horizon 3?

    The download time can vary depending on the speed of your Internet connection. On average, it takes about 3 hours to download 30 GB over a 20-Mbps connection.

    The table below represents estimated download times based on current download speed.

    Note This info is intended as a guide only, not an actual representation of download time. Bandwidth will be constrained and download time will increase during activities such as streaming content, playing games, or game streaming from your Xbox One to a Windows 10 PC.

    Current download speed

    30-GB file

    40-GB file

    50-GB file

    60-GB file

    70-GB file

    2 Mb/s

    33.3 hours

    44.4 hours

    55.6 hours

    66.7 hours

    77.8 hours

    5 Mb/s

    13.3 hours

    17.8 hours

    22.2 hours

    26.7 hours

    31.1 hours

    10 Mb/s

    6.7 hours

    8.9 hours

    11.1 hours

    13.3 hours

    15.6 hours

    20 Mb/s

    3.3 hours

    4.4 hours

    5.6 hours

    6.7 hours

    7.8 hours

    50 Mb/s

    1.3 hours

    1.8 hours

    2.2 hours

    2.7 hours

    3.1 hours

    100 Mb/s

    0.7 hours

    0.9 hours

    1.1 hours

    1.3 hours

    1.6 hours

    200 Mb/s

    0.3 hours

    0.4 hours

    0.6 hours

    0.7 hours

    0.8 hours

    Example

    If you're installing a 40 GB file and it's 25 percent downloaded (30 GB remaining) and your connection speed is 10 Mb/s, it should take about 4.4 hours for the download to complete. (This assumes that the download speed stays the same.)

    While you're downloading the game, do not cancel the download or shut down your computer. The Forza Horizon 3 icon will appear in the Installed Apps section of the Start menu on Xbox, and in My Library on your Windows 10 device.

    Note You may be subject to additional Internet fees while you download the game.

    If you believe you’re experiencing a slow download of the game, visit Troubleshoot slow game or app downloads on Xbox One or Fix Network Connection issues in Windows 10 for additional troubleshooting steps.

    What kind of accessory device do I need to control Forza Horizon 3?

    You can use a mouse and keyboard or a game controller (Xbox One or Xbox 360 controller is recommended). If you use an Xbox One controller with your Windows 10 device, you'll need either a USB cable to connect it or an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows.

    Can I use a wheel?

    Forza Horizon 3 supports a wide variety of popular racing wheels. All Xbox One wheels are supported. For a full list of PC supported wheels, as well as racing wheel tips and tricks, see the Forza Motorsport forum support page.

    Do I need a Microsoft account to play Forza Horizon 3?

    Yes, you'll need a Microsoft account to play Forza Horizon 3. If you already play games on Xbox One or Xbox 360, you can use the same account you use for those games to also play on Windows 10. For more details, see the Microsoft account FAQ page.

    Do I need to be online or connected to the Internet to play Forza Horizon 3 on a Windows 10 device?

    If you’re planning to be in an area with no online coverage, such as a long-distance flight or a sailing excursion, you can prepare your Windows 10 device to allow you to play Forza Horizon 3 offline.

    For details on how to configure your Windows 10 device for offline play, visit Play games offline on Windows 10 using Offline mode.

    The following in-game modes are supported while playing offline:

    • Campaign

    The following in-game modes require an online connection:

    • Online Co-Op
    • Online Free Roam
    • Online Multiplayer
    • Auction House
    • Rivals
    • Forzathon
    • Clubs

    If you play offline, some features, such as the ability to purchase additional items from Microsoft Store, will not be available. Additionally, any leaderboards will be unavailable while you're offline.

    If you earn any achievements while playing offline, they will sync to your account the next time you sign in to Xbox Live on your device. Your game save progress will also sync when you sign in to Xbox Live.

    You also won't be able to use the benefits of Xbox Live while offline. See Why should I sign in to Xbox Live with a Microsoft account? below for details.

    On how many devices can I install Forza Horizon 3?

    On Xbox, you can install Forza Horizon 3 and play offline on your home console. You can also install and play on your friends’ consoles, as long as you sign in to Xbox Live and remain online.

    On Windows 10, you can install Forza Horizon 3 and play offline on your main device (usually the first device you install the game on). You can also install and play on other Windows 10 devices, as long as you sign in to Xbox Live and remain online.

    You can only be signed in at one place at a time while playing Forza Horizon 3, or any other title that supports Xbox Play Anywhere.

    Why should I sign in to Xbox Live with a Microsoft account?

    When you connect Forza Horizon 3 to the Xbox Live service, you get the following benefits while you play on your Xbox or Windows 10 device.

    Note You must connect to Xbox Live through the Xbox app to launch Forza Horizon 3 on Windows 10. See Do I need to be online or connected to the Internet to play Forza Horizon 3 on a Windows 10 device? above.

    • Stay connected to the Xbox Live community, view achievements, watch game clips, and more.
    • Store your saved games in the cloud and continue playing on a different PC or your Xbox One right from where you left off.
    • Play with your Xbox Wireless Controller on Windows 10 using the Xbox Wireless Adapter.
    • Easily record, narrate, and share your most epic gaming moments with built-in Game DVR. Any game clips you capture while playing Forza Horizon 3 on Windows 10 can be accessed via the Xbox app. For more info, visit Benefits of running the Xbox app while playing a game on Windows 10. For Xbox One, see Record game clips with Game DVR.

    Why am I not receiving in-game invites?

    The clock on your computer may be out of sync with Xbox Live. To check your settings:

    1. Press the Windows button on your device or keyboard, or select the Windows icon from the bottom-left corner of the main screen.
    2. Select Settings, and then select Time and Language.
    3. Verify that the Set Time Automatically setting is set to On.

    I want to view or change my HDR settings for Forza Horizon 3. How can I do this?

    To check your HDR settings for Forza Horizon 3:

    1. Go to the in-game settings menu and select Video.
    2. Select HDR Settings to view and adjust your settings.

    For more info about HDR, see HDR on Xbox One S.

    Related Issues

    Forza Horizon 3
    Troubleshoot problems with Xbox Play Anywhere games
    Back to top

    Was this article helpful?

    Yes
    No

    Thank you for your feedback

    Thanks for your feedback!

    We're sorry this article didn't solve your problem. We won't give up and neither should you. Try this community option, below.
    Get help from the community
    Ambassador chat image
    Ambassador chat
    Chat one on one with a fellow Xbox User who wants to help.
    Chat with an Ambassador

    Provide feedback for this topic

    255 characters remain.
    To protect your privacy, please do not include contact information in your feedback.
    Get help from the community
    Ambassador chat image
    Ambassador chat
    Chat one on one with a fellow Xbox User who wants to help.
    Chat with an Ambassador

    Support resources

    Error & Status Code Search
    Repair and service centre
    Manuals and warranty info
    Post on the Community Support Forums
    Contact us

    Contact Us

    Would you like to contact Support regarding the "Forza Horizon 3 FAQ" issue you were reading about or a different issue?

    Share this page

    Xbox

    • Feedback
    • Support
    • Photosensitive Seizure Warning
    • Code of Conduct

    Fans

    • Xbox Wire
    • Jobs

    For Developers

    • Games
    • ID@Xbox
    • Windows 10
    English (United Kingdom)
    • Contact Microsoft
    • Privacy & cookies
    • Terms of use
    • Trademarks
    • About our ads
    • EU Compliance DoCs
    • Regulatory reporting
    • © Microsoft 2019