How the Xbox's Disc-to-Digital Program Works

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMicrosoft is letting Xbox players turn their game discs into digital copies for free, and Wired reports you can insert a supported disc, launch the game once, and get a license on your Microsoft account.

2. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorPro one: the digital copy can unlock Xbox Play Anywhere and cloud access for eligible games. Con one: eligible.

3. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorEligible. The most polite way anyone has ever said no.

4. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo not every game works.

5. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorPro two: it's free.

6. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorCon two: sell the disc and access is revoked, so the free digital copy comes with a plastic chaperone.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAnd if you lend the disc to a friend, the license goes with it.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo your friend gets the game, and you get a very quiet shelf.

9. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorPro three: the feature is rolling out to all Xbox console owners, not only Insiders.

10. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorCon three: a friend borrows Halo, forgets, and your whole library follows him home. I've seen it start over a lawnmower.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRating. Three stars out of five. It's a free upgrade with a leash on it.

12. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThree. Generous.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorI'm keeping the disc, and I'm keeping the digital copy, so I now own the same game twice and neither one will let me sell it.