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Guide to Build XBSX2

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, you'll need:

Step 1: Clone the XBSX2 Repository​

  1. Open a Command Prompt or Terminal.
  2. Clone the XBSX2 repository by running the following command: 
    git clone https://github.com/XboxEmulationHub/XBSX2.git

Step 2: Build Dependencies​

  1. Navigate to the cloned XBSX2 repository folder.
  2. Locate and run the dependency build script at .github/workflows/scripts/uwp/build-dependencies.bat.
    • You can double-click the file in File Explorer to run it.
    • The script will automatically build all required dependencies.
  3. Download patches.zip from PCSX2's GitHub. We'll need it later.

Step 3: Open the Solution File​

  1. Navigate to the root folder of the XBSX2 repository.
  2. Open the PCSX2_qt.sln file in Visual Studio 2026.

Step 4: Set pcsx2-uwp as the Startup Project​

  1. In the Solution Explorer window, locate the pcsx2-uwp project.
  2. Right-click on the pcsx2-uwp project and select Set as Startup Project.

Step 5: Change Build Configuration to Release​

  1. At the top of Visual Studio, find the build configuration dropdown, which might be set to Debug by default.

  2. Change the configuration from Debug to Release to optimize the build for performance.

  3. When you try to build, you will encounter an error such as:

    Payload file C:\Users\Stern\Documents\XBSX2\pcsx2-uwp\resources\patches.zip' does not exist.
    note

    To fix this:

    1. Locate the patches.zip file that you downloaded earlier.
    2. Move it to the following directory inside your cloned repository: XBSX2\pcsx2-uwp\Resources.
    3. After placing the file, try building the project again.

Step 6: Configure for Xbox Deployment​

  1. Right-click the pcsx2-uwp project in the Solution Explorer.
  2. Select Properties from the context menu.
  3. In the Properties window, go to the Debugging section.
  4. Change the Target Device dropdown from Local Machine to Remote Machine.
  5. In the Machine Name field, enter your Xbox's IP address (found in the Dev Home app under Network). Example: 192.168.1.1.

Step 7: Build the Project​

  1. Right-click the solution in the Solution Explorer and select Build Solution or press Ctrl+Shift+B.
  2. Visual Studio will begin building the project in Release mode for deployment to the Xbox.

Step 8: Deploy and Run on Xbox​

  1. After building, Visual Studio will ask for a PIN. Enter the Visual Studio PIN from the Dev Home app on your Xbox (found in the Remote Access section).
  2. Once the deployment is complete, the application should automatically launch on your Xbox in Developer Mode.

The XBSX2 project is now deployed to your Xbox! If any issues arise during deployment, check the repository's Issues page on GitHub for troubleshooting tips or reach out to the community for support.