The newest Windows 11 from Microsoft comes packed with many functionalities, and the Xbox Game Bar is among them, where you can record gameplay, capture screenshots/videos, join Xbox game parties and more. However, some users find it unnecessary and want to get rid of it but don’t know how to disable the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11.

Key Takeaways
  • The Xbox Game Bar grants users access to various features, such as recording gameplay, taking screenshots or videos, joining Xbox game parties, monitoring hardware statistics, and finding fellow players.
  • While the Xbox Game Bar provides a wide range of functionalities, it can occasionally lead to glitches and system slowdowns in specific scenarios. This is why users who aren’t primarily focused on gaming often choose to keep it disabled.
  • There are several methods to disable the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11, including using the Settings menu, PowerShell, Registry Editor, and Group Policy.
Methods Difficulty Rating

Windows Settings
Rated: 3/10

PowerShell
Rated: 7/10

Registry Editor
Rated: 6/10

Local Group Policy
Rated: 5/10

Using Settings

The most straightforward method to disable the Xbox Game Bar is through the Windows 11 settings menu. But to carry this out, I had to disable the Game DVR option first to prevent overlays and game notifications on my system. Check out the steps below to see how I proceeded with the method.

  1. Access Settings > Highlight Gaming section on the left > Captures.
    Open Captures Tab
    Open Captures Tab (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  2. Disable the Record What Happened toggle switch.
  3. Return to the Gaming options > Choose Xbox Game Bar > Switch off the toggle for Open Xbox Game Bar Using This Button On A Controller.
    Toggle Off Xbox Game Bar
    Toggle Off Xbox Game Bar (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Using Windows 11 Powershell

PowerShell is a Windows scripting language-based program where you can perform administrative tasks or configure system settings using commands. By running the dedicated code in PowerShell, I could quickly turn off the Xbox Game Bar on my PC. Here are the steps that you can follow to execute this effortlessly.

  1. Press the Windows key > Type PowerShell > Right-click on the result > Run As Administrator > Yes.
  2. In the PowerShell window, input or copy and paste the first command provided > Press Enter. 
    dism /Online /Get-ProvisionedAppxPackages | Select-String PackageName | Select-String xbox
    Enter Command
    Enter Command (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  3. Next, input or copy and paste the second command > Press Enter. 
    dism /Online /Get-ProvisionedAppxPackages | `Select-String PackageName | `Select-String xbox | `ForEach-Object {$_.Line.Split(':')[1].Trim()} | `ForEach-Object { dism /Online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:$_}
    Enter Second Command
    Enter Second Command (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  4. To uninstall Xbox packages, execute the final command: 
    Get-ProvisionedAppxPackage -Online | `Where-Object { $_.PackageName -match "xbox"} | `ForEach-Object { Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage -Online -AllUsers -PackageName $_.PackageName }
    Enter Last Command
    Enter Last Command (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Using Windows 11 Registry Editor

With Windows Registry Editor, I often modify various aspects of my system, such as removing the Chat option in Windows 11. Editing the game-related registry allowed me to disable this Xbox feature on my Windows computer.

WARNING: Back up the Windows Registry Editor so that in case anything goes wrong, you can get your data back, otherwise it will be lost.

Carefully follow each step to avoid messing anything:

  1. Press the Windows key > Type Registry Editor > Right-click on the search result > Run As Administrator > Yes.
  2. In the Registry Editor, go to the top address bar and run the following address: 
    Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR
    Head To Respective Directory
    Head To Respective Directory (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  3. Inside the GameDVR folder, select the AppCaptureEnabled option in the right pane.
    Locate Respective File
    Locate Respective File (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  4. Enter 0 in the Value Data field > OK > Restart PC.
    Change Respective Value
    Change Respective Value (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Using Local Group Policy Editor

This interface is home to system policies that help run and manage different aspects of a Windows OS. I disabled the Windows Game Recording policy in Local Group Policy Editor to hide the Xbox Game Bar. You can also execute this method with the technique below.

  1. Hit Windows + R for Run box > Type gpedit.msc > OK.
  2. Expand Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Game Recording And Broadcasting.
    Go To Windows Game Recording
    Go To Windows Game Recording (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  3. Select the option Enables Or Disables Windows Game Recording And Broadcasting.
    Choose Enable Or Disable Recording
    Choose Enable Or Disable Recording (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  4. Once the new window opens, mark Disabled > Apply > OK.
    Disable And Apply Changes
    Disable And Apply Changes (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Pros And Cons Of Disabling Xbox Game Bar

ProsCons
✅ Reduces distractions❌ Restricts access to gaming features
✅ Enhances gaming experience❌ Removes access to gameplay recording
✅ Frees background space❌ Affects Xbox integration into Windows

Conclusion

After disabling the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 11 using the above techniques, there was less distraction during PC gaming, and performance was slightly improved. This is because the Game Bar also took up resource space on the system, and turning it off freed up the space for smoother functioning.

FAQs

What Is The Xbox Game Bar In Windows 11

The Xbox Game Bar provides an overlay to users, which lets them access different features like recording gameplay, capturing screenshots/videos, joining Xbox game parties, checking the statistics of your components, and looking for other players.

How Does The Xbox Game Bar Affect The System?

Although the Xbox Game Bar gives a lot of functionalities, in certain situations, it can sometimes produce glitches and even slow down the system, which is why non-gaming users prefer to keep it disabled.

How Do I Disable The Xbox Game Bar In Windows 11?

There are multiple ways to disable the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11, and some of them include using the Settings menu, Powershell, Registry Editor, and the Group Policy on Windows 11.

More About Windows 11:

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Dayan Shahid
Dayan Shahid
[How-To Guides Expert] Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city's aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity! Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com Google IT Certificate Shehryar Khan
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