[Note: If you would like to see this process improved then vote and add your comments to this item in connect]

Rest assured that XNA Framework games will run on Windows XP and Vista as long as you have the correct dependencies installed and all your content in the right place. Its VERY unlikely to be a bug so please check everything very carefully before asking.

For games built with the 1.0 XNA Framework, the target computer will need:

1.  .Net 2.0 - included with Vista so not required to install there.
2. DirectX9.0c *See note below
3. XNA runtime 1.0

For games built with the 2.0 XNA Framework, the target computer will need:

1. .Net 2.0 PLUS the C++ 2005 SP1 Redist -OR- .Net 2.0 SP1
   Some notes on these dependencies:
   • .Net 2.0 comes already installed on Vista RTM so you only need the C++ Redist for vista machines
   • .Net 2.0 SP1 will not install on Vista RTM - you must install it by installing either Vista SP1 or .Net 3.5
   • You may have either of these 2 already installed from such places as Visual Studio SP1 or Games For Windows Live but don't rely on other places if you are writing an installer.
2. DirectX9.0c *See note below
3. XNA runtime 2.0
4. For games that create a GamerServicesComponent/use live networking - REQUIRES a full Game Studio 2.0 install, the G4WL redist is NOT sufficient since there are non-redistributable components in GSE 2.0 that are required.  This will also satisfy the VC++ 2005 SP1 redist requirement, you don't need both.

You do NOT need to install C# express or Game Studio Express (except for 2.0 games using GamerServices or Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Net.*)

*DirectX note: Don't assume you already have it even if other games run - there are optional parts which may not be on your computer. Run the web installer and it will check and add missing parts. Don't assume that becuase you have the latest SDK installed that it will work either as SDKs do not install the optional files from previous SDKs.  We can not stress this point enough - its the most common reason for XNA apps failing and we often see people who ignore this step becuase they think they know better.

If the application still doesn't run after installing these then do the following checks:

1. Try some of the samples - if they run then the problem is in your code. Start with the empty Game template as it uses no content and has the minimal set of dependencies.
2. Check out Process Monitor (formerly FileMon) - this will help you identify if you have missing DLLs, missing content or content in the wrong place.