How to Uninstall and Reinstall Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11
Uninstalling and reinstalling the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11 fixes problems and can free up PC power.
The Xbox Game Bar is a built-in Windows tool that shows helpful features, like recording your screen or chatting with friends, when you press the Windows key + G.
If the Game Bar causes your PC to slow down or you never use it, removing it can make your computer run better. This stops background processes like Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay and turns off the overlay.
You can remove the Xbox Game Bar right from Windows Settings, often found under “Apps.” Putting it back is also easy through the Microsoft Store.
You uninstall Xbox Game Bar using Windows Terminal with the command Get-AppxPackage -PackageTypeFilter Bundle -Name “*Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay*” | Remove-AppxPackage. Reinstall it by searching for “Xbox Game Bar” in the Microsoft Store and clicking “Install”.
Prerequisites
How to Uninstall Xbox Game Bar
If the usual uninstall option for the Xbox Game Bar isn’t working on your Windows 11 PC, you can remove it using the Windows Terminal. This method is a good way to uninstall Xbox Game Bar when the standard settings menu won’t let you. Just follow the steps to open the terminal and enter the correct command.
- Open the Windows Terminal app.
- Copy and paste the following command into the window and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage -PackageTypeFilter Bundle -Name "*Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay*" | Remove-AppxPackage - Restart your computer to finish the process.
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -PackageTypeFilter Bundle -Name "*Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay*" | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsersTroubleshooting Grayed-Out Uninstall Buttons
When the uninstall button for the Xbox Game Bar appears grayed out in Windows Settings, it means Windows sees it as an important system component and prevents its removal. To fix this and uninstall Xbox Game Bar, you’ll need to use a different method, like PowerShell, which requires administrator access to proceed.
[Requires Admin Privileges]
- Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Run the following command to identify the package:
Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object {$_.PackageName -like "*XboxGamingOverlay*"} - Remove the package using:
Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName "[PackageNameFromAbove]"
How to Reinstall Xbox Game Bar
If you decide you need the features back, you can easily restore the app.
- Click this Xbox Game Bar on the Microsoft Store link.
- Click the Get or Install button on the Microsoft Store app.
Once the download finishes, you can open the Game Bar from your Start menu.
Summary
The Xbox Game Bar can be a helpful tool, but if it’s causing problems, you can easily uninstall and reinstall it on Windows 11 using simple commands.
Will uninstalling Game Bar affect my ability to play games?
No, uninstalling the Xbox Game Bar will not affect your ability to play games. It is simply an overlay tool for recording and social features. Your games will continue to run normally, and your saved game files will remain completely untouched by this process.
Can I just disable it instead of uninstalling?
Yes, you can disable it without removing it. Go to Settings, select Gaming, and then click on Xbox Game Bar. Toggle the switch to Off. This prevents the app from running in the background while keeping the files on your computer if you need them later.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
The Xbox Game bar is not in the Microsoft store. So if you follow this and uninstall Xbox game bar every game will cause a pop up asking for the game bar and you get to reinstall windows.