How to Uninstall Game Bar on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 3, 2025

Windows 11 comes with Xbox Game Bar, a built-in tool designed for gamers. It lets you record gameplay, take screenshots, monitor performance, and chat with friends on Xbox Live. While it’s useful for many, not everyone wants it.

If you never use Game Bar, find it running in the background, or simply want to free up resources, you might be wondering: how do I uninstall Game Bar on Windows 11?

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover all the ways you can remove or disable Game Bar—whether through Settings, PowerShell, or Group Policy—plus some tips for troubleshooting.

📌 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)

  • Xbox Game Bar is preinstalled on Windows 11 and cannot be removed through the traditional Control Panel.

  • You can disable Game Bar in Settings, but to uninstall it completely, you’ll need PowerShell or third-party tools.

  • Disabling Game Bar prevents pop-ups, background usage, and shortcut interruptions.

  • Always create a restore point before uninstalling system apps.

Why Uninstall Game Bar in Windows 11?

While Game Bar is useful for gamers, you may want to remove it if:

  • You don’t play games on your PC.

  • It slows down performance by running in the background.

  • You use third-party recording/streaming software (OBS Studio, Nvidia ShadowPlay, etc.).

  • The overlay pops up accidentally when pressing Win + G.

  • You just prefer a cleaner Windows setup.

Methods to Uninstall Game Bar on Windows 11

There are multiple ways to get rid of Game Bar—some permanent, others temporary. Let’s break them down.

1. Disable Xbox Game Bar from Settings

If you don’t want to uninstall it but simply stop it from launching:

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Navigate to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.

  3. Toggle off Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller.

  4. Also, go to Background apps permissions and set it to Never.

✅ Best for: Beginners who don’t want Game Bar but prefer a safe option.

2. Uninstall Game Bar Using PowerShell

For complete removal, PowerShell is the most effective method.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + S, type PowerShell, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.

  2. Enter the following command:

    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Remove-AppxPackage

  3. Press Enter.

  4. Once complete, Xbox Game Bar will be uninstalled.

👉 If you want to reinstall later, you can get it from the Microsoft Store.

3. Remove Game Bar with Windows Package Manager (Winget)

Windows 11 includes Winget, a command-line package manager.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Run the command:

    winget uninstall Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay

  3. Wait for the process to finish.

✅ Best for: Users who already use Winget for app management.

4. Use Group Policy Editor (Pro & Enterprise Versions Only)

This method disables Game Bar but doesn’t uninstall it.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Game Recording and Broadcasting

  3. Double-click Enables or disables Windows Game Recording and Broadcasting.

  4. Set it to Disabled > Apply > OK.

✅ Best for: IT admins and Pro/Enterprise users.

5. Use Third-Party Tools (Optional)

Apps like O&O AppBuster or CCleaner allow you to remove built-in Windows apps, including Game Bar, with a few clicks.

⚠️ Only use trusted tools, as third-party uninstallers can sometimes cause stability issues.

What Happens After Uninstalling Game Bar?

  • The Win + G shortcut will no longer open Game Bar.

  • No background processes from Game Bar will run.

  • You’ll need third-party software for screen recording/game capture.

  • You can reinstall Game Bar anytime from the Microsoft Store.

Troubleshooting: Game Bar Still Appears After Uninstall

If Game Bar persists even after trying the above methods:

  • Restart your PC.

  • Check Task Manager > Startup apps and disable Xbox-related entries.

  • Run PowerShell again to confirm it’s removed.

  • Update Windows 11 — sometimes updates reinstall system apps.

Pros and Cons of Uninstalling Game Bar

Pros Cons
Frees up background resources Lose built-in screen recording
No accidental overlay pop-ups Must install third-party tools
Cleaner Windows experience Some apps may reinstall Game Bar during updates
Better performance on low-end PCs Advanced removal requires PowerShell knowledge

Conclusion

The Xbox Game Bar can be handy for gamers, but if you don’t use it, uninstalling or disabling it makes sense.

👉 If you’re a beginner, start by disabling Game Bar in Settings.
👉 If you want a permanent solution, use PowerShell or Winget to uninstall it completely.

The best part? You can always reinstall it later via the Microsoft Store if you change your mind.

FAQs About Uninstalling Game Bar on Windows 11

1. Can I completely uninstall Game Bar in Windows 11?
Yes, but only via PowerShell, Winget, or third-party tools—not through Settings.

2. Is Game Bar necessary for Windows 11?
No. It’s optional and mostly for gamers. Removing it won’t affect system performance.

3. Can I reinstall Game Bar after uninstalling it?
Yes. Download it anytime from the Microsoft Store.

4. Does disabling Game Bar improve performance?
On low-end PCs, disabling/uninstalling it can free up RAM and CPU resources.

5. Why does Game Bar keep reinstalling after updates?
Some Windows updates may reinstall built-in apps. You can remove it again using PowerShell.

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