If you’re a Windows user who finds the Xbox Game Bar popping up at inconvenient times, interfering with your workflow or meetings, you’ll be pleased to know there are several ways to disable it.
In this guide, we’ll explore five methods to help you regain control over your Windows experience.
1. Change Keyboard Shortcut
The Xbox Game Bar is typically triggered by the keyboard shortcut Windows + G. If this combination conflicts with other shortcuts you frequently use, consider changing it to a more suitable combination:
- Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
- Click the Settings icon in the top-right corner.
- Navigate to the Shortcuts tab and find “Open Xbox Game Bar” under the Keyboard section.
- Enter a new key combination (e.g., Shift + G) and click Save.
- Restart your PC to apply the changes.
Also Read: How To Take Apart an Xbox One Controller?
2. Turn Off Background Activity
If the Xbox Game Bar affects your PC’s performance during non-gaming tasks, you can disable its background activity:
- Open Settings (Windows + I) and go to the Apps section.
- Find the Xbox Game Bar in the Installed Apps list and click on Advanced options.
- Change Background app permissions to “Never” and terminate any active game bar sessions.
Remember to revert to the default settings when you need the Game Bar during gaming sessions.
Read More: How to Delete Profiles on Xbox 360?
3. Turn Off in Game Bar Settings
For users who employ an Xbox controller on their PC and want to prevent accidental triggering of the Game Bar:
- Search for Game Bar from the taskbar and open Game Bar controller settings.
- Turn off the toggle for “Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller.”
- This won’t affect the Windows + G shortcut, so proceed with further methods if you want to disable it completely.
4. Disable Using Registry Editor
For a system-wide disablement, you can use the Registry Editor:
- Search for Registry Editor and open it as an administrator.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR.
- Locate “AppCaptureEnabled,” double-click, set the value to 0, and click OK.
- After restarting your PC, the Game Bar should be disabled.
Also Read: How To Fix Xbox Controller Drift?
5. Uninstall Using Windows PowerShell
For advanced users comfortable with PowerShell:
- Search for Windows PowerShell, and run as administrator.
- Enter the command: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Remove-AppxPackage.
- Once the commands are complete, the Xbox Game Bar should be uninstalled.
- If needed in the future, you can reinstall the Xbox Game Bar from the Microsoft Store.
Whether you prefer a quick keyboard shortcut change or a more advanced PowerShell uninstallation, these methods cater to users of all expertise levels. Enjoy a distraction-free Windows experience tailored to your preferences.
