How to remove the game bar from Windows 11

La Windows 11 game bar, also known as Xbox Game BarIt comes enabled by default in the system and can be very useful for some players, but for many others it's a real nuisance. It appears when you least expect it with the shortcut. Win + G or pressing the Xbox button on the controller interferes with recordings of Steam or other programs and, in addition, it keeps running in the background consuming resources.

If you identify with this and want Remove the game bar from Windows 11You have several options: from partially or completely disabling it in the system settings, to Remove it completely using PowerShellIn the following lines you will see, step by step and in detail, how to disable the overlay, how to prevent it from running in the background and how to uninstall it so that it disappears from your PC.

What exactly is the Windows Game Bar (Xbox Game Bar)?

La Xbox Game Bar is an overlay integrated into Windows 10 and Windows 11 Designed for gamers, but anyone can use it. It allows you to record your screen, capture video clips of your gameplay, take screenshots, view system performance (CPU, GPU, RAM), control audio for each application, and even chat on Xbox or listen to music without leaving the game.

This bar is normally activated by the keyboard shortcut Win + G or when you press the Xbox button on the controller If you have an official or compatible controller. Even if you don't see it, it's usually ready in the background to appear as soon as it detects that shortcut or a compatible game.

The problem for many users is that, Even if you're not using it, the Game Bar continues to run in the background.It opens pop-ups when the controller button is pressed, interferes with other recording tools (such as Steam's or third-party programs), and can create conflicts with some demanding titles, especially if you already use other overlays like Nvidia ShadowPlay.

Therefore, it makes sense to want to remove the game bar from Windows 11, whether disable it or even uninstall it completely If you're not going to use it. The system allows both options: from the system settings themselves or through PowerShell.

In addition, the Windows gaming feature set also includes the Game Modewhich attempts to prioritize resources for games. On some computers, instead of improving performance, it ends up causing stuttering or instability, so many people prefer to disable it along with the game bar.

How to disable the Windows 11 Game Bar from Settings

 

The simplest and least aggressive way to Remove the game bar in Windows 11 You can disable it from the Settings app. This will prevent it from opening with the remote or running in the background, but it will remain installed on your system in case you want to use it again in the future.

To begin with, you have two equivalent paths: you can Open Settings from the Start menu (gear icon) or press the keyboard shortcut Windows + IEither option will take you directly to the main system settings.

Once inside, in Windows 11 the interface is organized by categories on the left. The first thing to do is check the area of Games and also the part of ApplicationsBecause the Game Bar appears in both places with different options. Let's go through the process step by step to make the bar stop bothering you completely.

Disable opening the Xbox Game Bar with the controller and keyboard

The first step is prevent the bar from opening when you press the Xbox button on the controller or by using certain key combinations. This doesn't eliminate it, but it does prevent many unwanted appearances in the middle of a game or while recording with another program.

In Windows 11, within the Settings app, go to the section Games in the left panel. Upon entering, you will see several sections related to the system's gaming functions. The first one is usually Xbox Game Bar or simply Gaming bar, according to the version.

In this section, an option similar to the following will appear: "Open Xbox Game Bar with this button on a controller" or another phrase that refers to the Xbox controller and keyboard access. Turn this switch off so that the Xbox button stop invoking the bar and to make Windows ignore the shortcut that triggers it.

Although it is only the first step, Many users are already noticing a change when the overlay stops appearing. every time they touch the controller button out of habit or when a game remaps keys. But there's still a way to prevent it from continuing to load in the background.

Prevent Xbox Game Bar from running in the background

Once quick access is disabled, the next goal is prevent the application from continuing to run in the backgroundThis saves some resource consumption and cuts off any type of automatic notification or recording process.

To do this, return to the main Settings view and this time, enter the section Applications from the side menu. There you'll find a section called Installed applications (or similar), where all the apps and components installed on your device are listed.

In the list, look for Xbox Game Bar or simply Gaming barYou can do this by scrolling manually or using the search box at the top for faster results, typing "Xbox" or "Game Bar" until the correct result appears.

When you locate the application, click on the three dot button which is shown to the right of your name and choose the option Advanced optionsThis will open a screen with several settings specific to that system component.

Within the advanced options, you'll see a switch for enable or disable the application and a section for background permissions. In the background execution drop-down menu, select the option "Never"In this way, the Game Bar will no longer be able to run in the backgroundand it would only start if you manually open it (something that, if you have already disabled it from Games, will not happen by accident).

If a master switch appears to turn the application on or off, you can leave it on. Deactivated This allows the system to further limit its activity. Combining this option with the background setting will virtually disable the toolbar without needing to uninstall it.

Disable the Game Bar from System > System Components

Depending on your version of Windows 11, the Game Bar may also appear in another very useful location: System > System ComponentsThis section groups together various applications and utilities that come pre-installed with Windows.

Access first to System From the Settings side menu, locate the section System componentsThis list includes integrated apps like Weather, Mail, and the entry for Gaming bar.

Next to the bar entrance, you'll see another button with three dots. Tap it and choose Advanced options To access settings similar to those you saw in Installed Applications, you can adjust the background execution permissions to "Never" and use the button "Finish" or "Finish" to force the immediate closure of the application if it is still active.

This combination of paths (Games, Applications and System > System Components) leaves the Xbox Game Bar disabled in Windows 11 for normal use, without having to touch anything more advanced.

How to completely uninstall the Game Bar in Windows 11 using PowerShell

There are cases where, despite having disabled the Game Bar from Settings, The overlay still appears when pressing Win + G or when a Windows component tries to use it by default for recording. In other cases, you simply want it to disappear completely from the system and leave no trace.

For those scenarios, the most radical option is Uninstall the Xbox Game Bar using PowerShellThis method goes a step beyond graphical adjustments and removes the app package from the system, so that it is no longer available even in the background.

First of all, it's worth remembering that PowerShell is a powerful Windows administration toolAnd it must be used with care. The command we'll see is safe as long as you copy it exactly, but it's not a good idea to experiment by entering random commands if you don't know what they do.

Open PowerShell as administrator

The first step is to open Windows PowerShell with administrator privilegesbecause removing built-in system applications requires elevated permissions.

To do this, click the button Start or press the Windows key on your keyboard and type "powershell" In the search bar, you should see "Windows PowerShell" or "Windows PowerShell (x86)" in the results; right-click or select the option on the left. "Run as administrator".

If a window appears... User account control (UAC) asking if you allow this application to make changes to the device, confirm with "Yes". You will then see the blue or black PowerShell window ready to receive commands.

Command to remove Xbox Game Bar

With the PowerShell window open and in administrator mode, the next step is to enter the specific command that uninstalls the game bar packageThe command is as follows (without quotes):

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Remove-AppxPackage

It is important that copy the command exactly as isrespecting the package name (Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay) and the vertical bar "|" that connects both commands. You can type it by hand or paste it into the PowerShell window and then press the key Enter to run it.

As soon as you launch it, PowerShell will begin to remove the Xbox Game Bar app from the systemYou may see a small progress bar or status messages in the terminal itself. Do not close the window until the process is complete.

When it finishes, the bar will have disappeared and should no longer respond to the shortcut. Win + G nor appear as an installed application. If you had Settings open, it's a good idea to close it and reopen it to check that the The game bar is no longer listed in the components..

If at any point you wanted to get it back, you would have to Reinstall the Game Bar from the Microsoft Store or reset system components, but in the meantime it will be completely removed from your computer.

How to disable the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10

Although the focus of this article is Windows 11, much of the functionality of the game bar in windows 10 It's similar. The difference is that, in Windows 10, the system offers different menus and paths, and using PowerShell to uninstall it is generally recommended, especially in Windows 11.

If you're still using Windows 10 and want to Disable the Xbox Game Bar without entering PowerShellYou can do it from the system settings in a very similar way.

To begin, press Windows + I To open Settings, or access it from the Start button. Within it, select the category Games, where you will find options related to the gaming experience.

On the left tab, choose "Xbox Game Bar"Here you will see a switch for enable or disable the game bar For things like capturing gameplay clips, screenshots, or streaming, switch this toggle to Deactivated to cut that functionality off at the root.

The option usually appears right below. "Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller"Also disable this setting if you don't want any Xbox Series controller activate overlay when you press the center button.

With these two options turned off, the Xbox Game Bar It will no longer open automatically in Windows 10Even if you haven't uninstalled it, it will behave like a turned-off feature and shouldn't bother you while you're playing games or using other apps.

Should you keep or disable the Xbox Game Bar?

The decision of Whether or not to remove the game bar in Windows 11 It depends on how you use your PC. The Game Bar has real advantages: it's lightweight, it comes integrated, it allows you to record gameplay without installing anything extra, and compared to other overlays like Nvidia ShadowPlay, It usually has a moderate impact on performance according to many users.

However, if you use other, more comprehensive tools (such as OBS, Steam's own recorder, or third-party software), the Game Bar may only add duplication of functions and potential conflictsFor example, two different overlays might open when the remote control button is pressed, or recordings from different programs might be mixed together.

For teams with limited resources, or for those who want the cleanest possible system, it's usually a good idea. Deactivate the game bar if you are not going to use itThis frees up small CPU and RAM resources, avoids unnecessary notifications, and reduces the number of background processes related to the game.

In any case, both disabling it from Settings and uninstalling it via PowerShell are reversible measuresIf you change your mind in the future, you can re-enable it from the Settings app or reinstall it from the Microsoft Store to restore its functionality.

Knowing all these options, you can decide if you prefer to leave the Enable, partially disable, or completely remove Xbox Game Bar from Windows 11By following the steps explained, you can control how and when it runs, prevent it from interfering with your favorite games or recorders, and adapt the system to your way of playing or working without the game bar becoming a constant nuisance.