Many users have recently noted that their device managers are showing an unknown device called that they didn't install called XVD Drive. XVD Drives have been making a sudden and unexpected appearance on many computers, leading many users to ask if this is some sort of new malware.

But fret not because these devices aren't threats to your PC. Instead, they are virtual systems designed to simulate the hardware of an Xbox.

So, here's everything you need to know about XVD Disk Drives.

Since the release of the original Xbox, Microsoft has been working toward uniting its two biggest business concerns. With each new generation, more steps were taken to integrate their gaming console with their flagship operating system, and XVD Drives represent the latest step in bringing Xbox services to users on PCs.

XVD stands for Xbox Virtual Device. These virtual drives simulate Xbox consoles on PCs to allow them to play Xbox games and run Xbox apps. These devices can appear in the device manager of your PC after you run any of a number of different console utilities, like when you optimize your lower-end PC to run PC Game Pass.

Normally, these drives are added to systems where Microsoft's Xbox Play Anywhere service has been used. They store data and help run Xbox applications, acting as a digital version of the console's hardware.

XVD Drives don't present any significant concern or threat for PC users. At worst, they may take up some space on your hard drive that would otherwise be free for you to use, so they shouldn't be any cause for concern. But if you need to free up some space on your computer without sacrificing your Xbox games, you should check out these ways to free up storage on Windows 11.

These devices are run when Xbox services are active on the PC, meaning they shouldn't be the source of any major slowdowns or errors. They are safe to keep around and store long-term data for games played on your computer.

Users can't directly interact with XVD drives in any meaningful way. While XVD drives are used to store data and information about games that have been played, they are software wrappers meant to simulate hardware. They need to be used with other services to run games and apps.

While XVD Drives can't be used directly, Microsoft has several services that use these virtual devices to simulate consoles. Chief among them is Xbox Cloud Gaming, a service that allows you to play your Xbox games on almost any device.

It is possible to remove an XVD Drive; however, doing so is not recommended. They are used to store game data and other information and are required by several services to run correctly. Removing one of these drives may result in lost game data, errors running Xbox applications, and general data loss.

These virtual devices are minimal and don't use up excess resources when they aren't running. But if you need to remove one, there are steps you can take.

From here, the software will walk you through the steps to finish uninstalling the drive. These steps should only be taken if you are absolutely sure that you no longer need any of the data stored on the drive.

If you see XVD Drives suddenly appearing on your PC, it most likely means you have recently run an Xbox application. Most likely, this means that you ran Microsoft's Xbox Play Anywhere service to play Xbox games remotely.

It may also mean you recently ran one of Microsoft's other PC Xbox applications. These drives shouldn't be of concern as they don't present significant security risks and use minimal system resources. XVD Drives are simply a tool to allow your computer to simulate Xbox hardware.