For those using community-provided online patches (often from Online-Fix.me ), the process requires specific Windows environment preparations to bypass ownership verification and enable Microsoft Store integration.
: Many "Restricted" errors are caused by account settings. Visit Xbox Privacy & Online Safety and ensure "You can join multiplayer games" is set to Allow .
If you own the game officially but cannot connect to friends, the issue is often related to account permissions or network configuration.
: Ensure you are on Windows 10 x64 (version 1909 or newer) with Microsoft Store, Xbox, and Xbox Gaming Services installed.
: Ensure all players are on the exact same version of the game. Check for updates in the Microsoft Store or your console's dashboard.