How to Open Controller Bar Automatically when a controller is connected in Windows 11

Windows 11 background monitor with controller bar

This article explains how to open Controller Bar automatically when a controller is connected in Windows 11.

The Xbox Game Bar on Windows devices has a Controller Bar feature that allows you to quickly access games and apps using any Xbox controller, including standard controllers, the Elite Controller Series 2, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

The Xbox Game Bar is also customizable. You can change the default theme, add and remove favorites, and more.

One customizable feature available with the Xbox Game Bar is to control how it responds when a controller is connected in Windows 11.

You can enable or disable opening the Controller Bar automatically when a controller is connected; the steps below show you how.

Automatically the controller bar when a controller is connected

As mentioned above, users can choose to automatically open the Xbox Controller Bar when a controller is connected to Windows 11.

Here’s how to do it.

First, Open the Xbox Game Bar (Window key + G ).

Then click on the Settings (gear) button on the Game Bar.

Xbox gama bar settings button

On the Settings window, select the Controller Bar tab on the left.

On the right, under CONTROLLER BAR, check the box next to “Open Controller Bar automatically when a controller is connected” to enable it.

To disable it, uncheck the box.

Windows 11 automatically open the Xbox controller bar when controller is connected.

That should do it!

Reference:

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/games-apps/apps-help/xbox-controller-bar-for-windows

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to open the Controller Bar automatically when a controller is connected to Windows 11. If you find any errors above or have something to add, please use the comments form below.

Posted by
Richard W

I love computers; maybe way too much. What I learned I try to share at geekrewind.com.

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