How to Enable or Disable Game Mode in Windows 11

What is Game Mode?

The Game Mode setting in Windows 11 is a single switch under Settings › Gaming › Game Mode. Game Mode is a feature that gives priority to the game you are playing. When it is on, Windows directs more system resources to the game and holds back background activity that could interrupt it.

It also stops Windows from installing updates or restarting while you play. Game Mode is available in Windows 11 Home and Pro, and it is normally on by default.

Here’s what happens when Game Mode is on:

• Windows won’t install updates or restart while you’re playing.
• Your game may run smoother with fewer slowdowns. The gain depends on your hardware and the game. A machine that is already fast may not show much difference, while a lower-end one is more likely to.

If a game stutters, or you want background tasks to keep running normally, you can turn Game Mode off with the steps below. You can turn it back on at any time.

How to Turn Game Mode On or Off in Settings

The Settings app is the most direct way to turn Game Mode on or off. Nothing needs editing by hand, and the change takes effect immediately without a restart. The steps below switch the Windows Game Mode setting to the state you want.

1. Press Win+I to open Settings. The Settings⚙️ window opens.
2. Click Gaming in the left menu. The Gaming options appear on the right.
3. Click Game Mode on the right side. The Game Mode page opens with a single switch.
4. Set the Game Mode switch to On or Off. The label next to the switch changes to match your choice. Choose On if you want game mode on, or Off to turn it off.
5. Close Settings. Your choice is saved automatically, so there is no Save or Apply button.

That’s it. You should now have Game Mode set the way you want, and it stays that way until you change it. To undo the change, repeat the same steps and flip the switch back.

To skip the menus, you can jump directly to the Game Mode settings by clicking here: Open Game Mode Settings

If the Gaming page or the switch is missing, or the setting turns itself back on or off, the PC may be managed by an organization. In that case, a policy set by your administrator is probably controlling it.

How to Turn Game Mode On or Off Using the Registry (Advanced)

Registry Editor (Windows’ central database for system settings) offers an alternative path. It helps when you need to change the setting on several PCs or when the Settings page isn’t available. It works the same way in Windows 11 Home and Pro.

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Click File, then click Export.
3. Save the file somewhere safe.

You can also create a System Restore point first. If something goes wrong, you can restore from either the exported file or the restore point.

Turn On Game Mode

Administrator privileges are required to make changes here. If you are signed in with a standard account, Windows asks for administrator credentials when you open Registry Editor. Without them, the changes won’t be saved. The steps below turn Game Mode on.

1. Open Registry Editor: press Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter. Select Yes if User Account Control asks.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\GameBar — paste the path into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor and press Enter.
3. If there is no GameBar key, right-click Microsoft in the left pane, select New › Key, name it GameBar, and select it. Create any other missing key in the path the same way.
4. Right-click an empty area of the right pane, select New › DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AutoGameModeEnabled. If AutoGameModeEnabled is already there, skip this step.
5. Double-click AutoGameModeEnabled, set Base to Decimal, type 1 in Value data, and select OK.

That’s it. You should now have Game Mode turned on through the registry. If you don’t see the effect, sign out and back in, or restart the PC, then check the Game Mode switch in Settings.

Turn Off Game Mode

Administrator privileges are required for this change too. If a prompt appears asking whether you want to allow the app to make changes, click Yes. The steps below turn Game Mode off.

1. Open Registry Editor: press Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter. Select Yes if User Account Control asks.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\GameBar — paste the path into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor and press Enter.
3. If there is no GameBar key, right-click Microsoft in the left pane, select New › Key, name it GameBar, and select it. Create any other missing key in the path the same way.
4. Right-click an empty area of the right pane, select New › DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AutoGameModeEnabled. If AutoGameModeEnabled is already there, skip this step.
5. Double-click AutoGameModeEnabled, set Base to Decimal, type 0 in Value data, and select OK.

That’s it. You should now have Game Mode turned off through the registry. If you made a change and don’t see the effect, sign out and back in, or restart the PC, then check the Game Mode switch in Settings. To undo it, follow the steps that turn Game Mode on.

Need More Help?

For additional information about Game Mode, explore the Xbox Support website

support.xbox.com

Summary

Windows 11 Game Mode enhances game performance by prioritizing active games for computer resources. This feature prevents background processes, such as Windows updates and restarts, from interrupting gameplay, ensuring a smoother experience.

For most people, the Settings switch is all you need. Leave Game Mode on if your games run well with it. Turn it off if you notice a problem you think it causes, and compare how the game behaves.