According to ComicBook , in October 2023, Microsoft quietly warned users about the new policy via a direct message on the Xbox console. This policy stipulates that all screenshots and videos on the Xbox Network will be automatically deleted after 90 days. The first wave of content deletions will begin on January 9, 2024, affecting Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S owners.

The affected content includes screenshots and video clips of memorable gameplay moments. Worryingly, saving to the Xbox's internal storage is no longer a solution. Specifically, Microsoft previously automatically erased internal storage data to free up space. So even if you back up content to the internal hard drive, it is still at risk of being lost. Previously, Microsoft advised users to back up internal storage via the Live service, but this is no longer the case.

However, there is still a way to save it by backing it up to an external hard drive or uploading it to OneDrive. Additionally, users can set up options to automatically upload content to those storage options.

The Xbox gaming community has been unhappy with the change. However, the level of dissatisfaction has not been large enough to make Microsoft change its decision. Part of the reason is that many gamers are unaware or do not care about this move.

Microsoft has so far remained silent on the negative feedback about its content removal policy, only quietly announcing it late last year and has not made any further moves to clarify or explain the issue since.