How To Enable / Disable Game Bar in Windows 11

The Xbox Game Bar in Windows 11 provides quick access to gaming features, but not everyone needs it running in the background. This guide explains how to enable, disable, or completely remove the Game Bar using different methods.

Enable or Disable via Windows Registry Editor

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR
   Look for the key AppCaptureEnabled.
3. Alternatively, navigate to:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore
   Look for the key GameDVR_Enabled.
4. Set the value to 1 to enable the Game Bar, or 0 to disable it.

Enable or Disable via Settings

1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
2. From the sidebar, select Gaming.
3. Choose Xbox Game Bar.
4. Use the switch to enable or disable Allow your controller to open Game Bar.

Manage Game Bar System Components

1. Open Settings and select System from the sidebar.
2. Click System components.
3. Locate Game Bar and click the three dots menu.
4. Select Advanced options.
5. Under Background apps permissions, choose Never, Always, or Power Optimized.
6. Scroll down to Terminate and click the button to stop the app.

Note: In older versions of Windows 11, the Xbox Game Bar is listed under Apps > Installed apps.

Uninstall the Game Bar Completely

1. Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Enter the following command and press Enter:
   Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Remove-AppxPackage
3. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Whether you want to keep the Game Bar for quick access or remove it entirely, Windows 11 gives you full control. Following these steps ensures your system runs exactly the way you prefer.

By managing or uninstalling the Game Bar, you can streamline your Windows 11 experience and optimize performance for your specific needs.