Xbox app, Game Bar, controllers and PC gaming on Windows 11/10

Press Windows logo key + G to open Xbox Game Bar, and change Xbox Game Bar settings under Settings > Gaming on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

This hub covers Game Bar capture and FPS, Game Mode, Xbox mode, the Xbox app, Xbox controllers over USB, Bluetooth or the Xbox Wireless Adapter, PS5 controllers, DirectX and Steam, with an overview table of settings and a fix table for the common failures.

Open Game Bar by pressing Windows logo key + G

Game Bar is built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, so try the keyboard shortcut before installing anything. Once it opens, you can enable and use Xbox Game Bar widgets over any game.

1. Press Windows logo key + G while a game or app is open.
2. On a connected Xbox controller, press the Xbox button instead; it opens Game Bar as well.
3. From the Start menu, select Start, type Game Bar and open it from the results.
4. To jump straight to its settings page, press Windows + R, type ms-settings:gaming-gamebar and press Enter.

What is Xbox Game Bar?

Xbox Game Bar is a Windows overlay of widgets for capture, audio, performance and Xbox social features. Many Xbox features in it also need the Xbox app signed in.

Widget	What it does	Why use it
Capture	Start recording, Take screenshot, Record last…, mic toggle	Clips without a separate recorder
Gallery	Every clip and screenshot you captured	Review or open the Captures folder
Audio	Mix sets app volume; Voice picks the mic	Balance game sound and chat
Performance	CPU, GPU, VRAM, RAM and FPS	Monitor frame rate in any game
Resources	Rates app impact; X ends a task	Close heavy background apps
Xbox Social and Looking for Group	Friends, chat and party invites	Play with Xbox friends on PC
Widget Store	More widgets, such as Spotify	Extend the bar

Using the widget menu in Xbox Game Bar: select Widget Menu on the top bar, pick a widget, then select its Pin icon to keep it on screen while you play. Game Bar settings also offer Compact Mode for handhelds and controllers.

How to change Xbox Game Bar recording settings for keyboard shortcuts

These are the default Game Bar keys. To change one, open Game Bar, select Settings > More settings > Shortcuts, type the new combination and select Save.

Keys	Action	Note
Windows + G	Open or close Game Bar	The Xbox button on a controller does the same
Windows + Alt + PrtScn	Take a screenshot	Saved as a PNG file
Windows + Alt + R	Start or stop recording	Works in full-screen games
Windows + Alt + G	Record the last moments of play	Needs background recording (Record what happened) turned on
Windows + Alt + M	Turn the microphone on or off during a recording	Mic must be allowed in capture settings
Windows + F11	Enter or exit Xbox mode	Windows 11 version 24H2 or later

Set custom keys if your keyboard has no Windows key.

Where this gaming setting lives in Windows 11 and Windows 10

Most gaming switches sit under Settings > Gaming in both versions. The ms-settings:gaming-gamebar command opens the settings for Xbox Game Bar in Windows 10 and 11, and the other commands below work the same way from Run (Windows + R).

Setting	Windows 11	Windows 10	Run command
Game Bar on or off	Settings > Gaming > Game Bar	Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar	ms-settings:gaming-gamebar
Captures folder, background recording, quality	Settings > Gaming > Captures	Settings > Gaming > Captures	ms-settings:gaming-gamedvr (listed as Game DVR)
Game Mode	Settings > Gaming > Game Mode	Settings > Gaming > Game Mode	ms-settings:gaming-gamemode
Xbox mode	Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode (24H2 or later)	Not available	ms-settings:gaming-fullscreen
Xbox Networking	No Xbox Networking page; use Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset	Settings > Gaming > Xbox Networking	None listed
Bluetooth pairing	Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device	Settings > Devices > Bluetooth	ms-settings:bluetooth
Optional driver updates	Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates	Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates	ms-settings:windowsupdate-optionalupdates

Make sure Xbox Game Bar is enabled

Prerequisites: Game Bar's current features need Windows 10 version 22H2 or later; check under Settings > System > About > Windows specifications > Version. If the app itself is missing, reinstall Game Bar from Microsoft Store first.

1. On Windows 11: open Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and turn the switch On.
2. On Windows 10: open Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn it On.
3. Open your game, then press Windows + G.
4. If capture stays unavailable in that app, select Enable gaming features for this app to record gameplay, or tick Remember this is a game under Game Bar Settings > General.

Turn on the FPS counter

The FPS readout lives in the Performance widget and needs Game Bar version 3.34.11002.0 or later. Steam's Performance Monitor and GPU overlays are alternatives, and an FPS counter for any PC game compares them.

1. Start the game and press Windows + G.
2. Open Widget Menu > Performance.
3. Select the FPS tab, then select Request access.
4. Restart the PC when prompted, then reopen the game and Game Bar.
5. Select Pin on the Performance widget to keep FPS, CPU, GPU, VRAM and RAM on screen.

Record your screen with Game Bar

Screenshots work on every PC, but video clips need a GPU encoder: Intel Quick Sync H.264, NVIDIA NVENC or AMD VCE.

1. Press Windows + G and open the Capture widget.
2. To record microphone audio, select the microphone icon first.
3. Select Start recording (Windows + Alt + R) to record gameplay, then Stop recording.
4. To take a screenshot, select Take screenshot or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn.
5. With background recording enabled, select Record last… (Windows + Alt + G) to save the seconds you just played.
6. Select Show all captures to open the Gallery.

How to change Xbox Game Bar recording settings

Clips save as MP4 and screenshots as PNG in Videos > Captures, named after the game and the date and time.

1. Open Settings > Gaming > Captures.
2. Select Open folder to find your recorded videos and screenshots; move the Captures folder in File Explorer if you want them on another drive.
3. Turn Record what happened on for background recording and set the maximum length; it uses system resources, so leave it off on weaker PCs.
4. Set the recorded frame rate and video quality for better results; quality changes both resolution and bitrate.
5. Choose the audio bitrate and the system and microphone levels, and turn on mouse cursor capture for tutorials.
6. In Game Bar, open Settings > Widgets > Captures and set Audio to record to Game, All or None.

Game Mode and graphics settings for gaming on Windows 11

Game Mode is on by default; during play it holds back Windows Update driver installs and restart prompts. Version 26H2 shares its system files with 24H2 and 25H2, so 26H2 gaming performance matches them and the Game Mode switch on 26H2 works as before.

1. Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it On.
2. Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Default settings and turn on Optimizations for windowed games for DirectX 10 and 11 games in windowed or borderless mode.
3. Under Custom options for apps, select the game, select Options, choose High performance, then Save.
4. Open Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode and choose Best performance; expect more power use and heat.
5. Install GPU drivers offered under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.

There are 30 PC gaming performance tweaks beyond these five. On Arm laptops, gaming on Snapdragon X runs most games through Prism emulation, but titles whose anti-cheat drivers are not built for Arm might not start.

Xbox Game Bar and what the controller unlocks in Windows

Pressing the Xbox button opens Game Bar, and the Controller bar lets you jump back into recently played games quickly. On Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, Xbox mode adds a full-screen, controller-first view in supported markets.

1. Open Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode.
2. Turn on Enable Xbox mode; on a handheld, choose a home app instead (None turns it off).
3. Press Windows + F11, or pick Xbox mode in Task View or Game Bar settings, to enter it.
4. Press Windows + F11 again to return to the desktop.

Handheld owners can also turn Xbox mode on or off at startup.

Install the Xbox app and Gaming Services on Windows 11

The Xbox app needs Windows 10 or 11 version 22H2 or later and relies on Gaming Services to install and run PC Game Pass titles. Get the free Xbox app for PC from Microsoft Store.

1. Install the Xbox app from Microsoft Store and sign in with your Microsoft account.
2. Open Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates so Xbox, Gaming Services and Game Bar are current.
3. If games will not install or the app reports missing content, run the Gaming Services Repair Tool built into the Xbox app.
4. If the repair fails, reinstall Gaming Services from Microsoft Store or winget, then restart.
5. Check the Xbox status page before deeper troubleshooting.

Xbox cloud gaming and remote play on PC

	Cloud gaming	Remote play
What it streams	Game Pass titles and select games you own, from Microsoft servers	Games installed on your own Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One
Where to start	Xbox app or xbox.com/play	xbox.com/remoteplay in a supported browser
Subscription	Game Pass Essential (5 cloud hours a month), Premium (10) or Ultimate (15); not PC Game Pass	None for most games; some may need Game Pass
Network	10 Mbps minimum, 20 Mbps recommended on PC, 5 GHz Wi-Fi	5 GHz Wi-Fi or 10 Mbps download
Console	Not needed	On, or asleep, with remote features enabled

To stream from your console, use Xbox remote play; without one, cloud play Xbox on PC in the Xbox app.

Xbox account, Game Pass and Microsoft Store refunds

Task	Where	Key rule
Create an Xbox profile	Sign in with a Microsoft account on PC, console or phone	Your first gamertag is free
Refund a digital game	Xbox Request a refund page	Ask within 14 days; purchases older than 90 days are not listed
Cancel Game Pass	Microsoft account > Services & subscriptions > Manage > Cancel	Turning off recurring billing keeps benefits until expiry
Privacy settings	Xbox privacy and online safety settings, on console or the web	Decide who sees your profile and how people interact with you
Track a refund	Order history	Approved refunds take several business days to post

You can create an Xbox Live account in a few minutes, and the Microsoft Store and Xbox refund rules also cover subscriptions and hardware returns.

Update DirectX and check your version with dxdiag

DirectX 12 ships with Windows 11 and Windows 10 and updates only through Windows Update. Windows 11 itself requires DirectX 12 compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver.

1. Select Start, type dxdiag and press Enter.
2. Read DirectX Version under System Information on the System tab.
3. Run Windows Update to receive DirectX updates.
4. For a missing d3dx9_35.dll error in an older game, install the DirectX End-User Runtime; it adds legacy files without changing your DirectX version.

Games pick DirectX 12 in their own graphics menus, so to enable DirectX 12 in Windows 11 there is no Windows switch. On Windows 10 you also update DirectX through Windows Update only.

XInput vs DirectInput: the layer most guides skip

Using the controller in games depends on which input API the game reads. Xbox controllers use XInput, whose driver arrives through Windows Update; older DirectInput games still see the pad but lose features.

Feature	XInput	DirectInput
Left and right triggers	Independent	Combined into one axis
Vibration	Supported	Not available
Headset detection	Supported	Not available
Older non-Xbox gamepads	Not recognized	Recognized
Microsoft Store games	Supported	Not supported

Which connection method for you

Many PC games let you trade a keyboard and mouse for an Xbox Wireless Controller. Identify your Xbox controller model first: every Xbox Series X|S controller has Bluetooth, and Bluetooth Xbox One pads have the plastic around the Xbox button molded into the faceplate.

The table doubles as a quick reference for controller compatibility. Connecting Xbox 360 controllers works in games, but the Xbox Accessories app does not support them, and Xbox Support publishes no measured latency per connection method.

Factor	USB cable	Bluetooth	Xbox Wireless Adapter
What you need	A USB cable (USB-C on Series controllers)	PC Bluetooth and a Bluetooth controller model	The adapter in a USB port, or a PC with Xbox Wireless built in
Setup	Plug in; the driver comes from Windows Update	Hold Pair, then Add device in Settings	Bind the controller with its Pair button
Accessories app, firmware, button mapping	Supported; mapping needs USB-C	Not detected by the app	Supported
Controllers per PC	One per cable	Several, one pairing each	Up to eight per adapter
Batteries	Not needed while wired	Low batteries cause drops	Low batteries cause drops
Best for	Firmware updates, remapping, zero setup	Laptops with no spare port	Local co-op and Xbox headsets

Connect via USB

A wired connection is the fastest setup, needs no pairing, and is the reliable choice for firmware updates.

1. Plug the cable into the controller and a USB port on the PC.
2. Wait while Windows installs the driver from Windows Update.
3. If the controller is not recognized, open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, install any driver offered and restart.
4. Press the Xbox button; Game Bar opening proves Windows sees the controller.

Older pads use the same Xbox One controller driver delivery through Windows Update.

How to pair an Xbox controller over Bluetooth (Windows 10 and 11)

1. Press Xbox on the controller to turn it on.
2. Hold Pair for three seconds until the Xbox button flashes.
3. On Windows 11: select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth on.
4. Select Add device, choose Bluetooth, then pick the Xbox controller from the list.
5. On Windows 10: open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth, add a device and select the controller.

Bluetooth pairing is convenient but has tradeoffs: the Xbox Accessories app cannot see a Bluetooth-connected controller.

How to use the Xbox Wireless Adapter

Both adapter models work on Windows 10 and 11, and one adapter handles up to eight controllers, four chat headsets or two stereo headsets.

1. Plug the adapter into a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port.
2. Let Windows Update install the adapter driver.
3. Start pairing on the adapter, then hold Pair on the controller until the Xbox button flashes.
4. Repeat the pairing for each extra controller or headset.

If the adapter shows no driver, Xbox Wireless Adapter drivers come from Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Xbox Accessories app, firmware and custom mapping

The Xbox Accessories app updates controller firmware, assigns buttons, swaps triggers and turns off vibration. It supports Xbox controllers only, including the Elite Series 2 and Adaptive Controller, and you can get Xbox Accessories free from Microsoft Store.

1. Connect the controller with a USB-C cable or the Xbox Wireless Adapter.
2. Select Start, type Xbox Accessories, open the app and sign in.
3. Select the controller, then More options (…) > Firmware version.
4. Select Update now if an update is available.
5. Select Configure to create a profile: assign buttons, swap triggers or disable vibration.

The app lists no stick or trigger calibration tool. Power users can double-tap Pair to switch between a remembered Bluetooth host and Xbox Wireless host, and update an Xbox controller on PC or roll its firmware back.

Configure the controller in Steam

1. Open Steam > Settings > Controller; detected controllers listed there verify the connection.
2. Turn on configuration support for your controller type: Xbox, PlayStation or generic.
3. Connect the controller, then open the game's controller configuration from your Library to set per-game Steam Input overrides; it appears only while a controller is connected.
4. For local co-op with two controllers, connect both before launching the game; an Xbox Wireless Adapter takes up to eight.
5. For emulators and third-party launchers, add them with Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library so they launch from Steam.

Xbox controller vs PS5 DualSense on PC

Feature	Xbox Wireless Controller	PS5 DualSense
Windows support	Windows 10 and 11 by USB, Bluetooth or adapter	Windows 10 (64-bit) and 11 by USB-C or Bluetooth
Firmware updates on PC	Xbox Accessories app	PlayStation Accessories app
Extras	Vibration through XInput	Haptics and the headset jack need USB
XInput-only games	Native	Steam's PlayStation configuration support, or a remapper such as DS4Windows that emulates an Xbox 360 pad
Reset	Power cycle: hold the Xbox button 5-10 seconds	Unplug USB, then hold the reset button beside the Sony logo for 5 seconds

To connect a PS5 controller with DS4Windows, get its HidHide companion only from github.com/nefarius/HidHide or nefarius.at; the developer calls other copies scams. That practical security rule applies to any remapper driver. For first-party vs third-party Xbox controllers, remember the Accessories app manages only Microsoft's own.

Steam settings on Windows: library, launch options, overlay and account

Steam runs on Windows 10 and 11 only; support for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 ended on January 1, 2024. Download the Steam client for Windows from store.steampowered.com.

Task	Where in Steam	Key rule
Add a library folder	Settings > Storage > +	Add a Steam library folder and move games without redownloading
Launch options	Library > right-click the game > Properties > General > Launch Options	Separate Steam launch options with a space
Steam overlay	Settings > In-game > Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game	Shift+Tab opens it; turn the Steam overlay off per game
Screenshots	F12 in game; View > Recordings & Screenshots	The Steam screenshot folder opens from that viewer
Redeem a product key	+ Add a Game > Activate a Product on Steam…	Wallet codes redeem on the Steam website
Store region	Buy with a payment method from your new country	To change your Steam region: once every three months, no VPN
Appear offline	Friends list status Invisible; Steam > Go Offline for Offline Mode	Invisible lets you appear offline on Steam and still chat
Delete the account	Steam Support > My Account > Data Related to Your Steam Account	30-day grace period before you delete your Steam account

How to fix the Steam not opening/launching issue on Windows 11/10

Why is Steam not opening?

Steam maintenance, a blocked connection, or interfering software such as VPNs, firewalls, P2P tools and download accelerators.

1. To resolve Steam when it won't launch, restart the PC, then open Steam once.
2. If Steam is under maintenance, wait a few hours and try again.
3. Add Steam to your firewall's exceptions and pause any VPN or P2P program.
4. Reinstall Steam to the same location; this keeps installed games, while other uninstall routes delete game data.

Steam downloads are slow

A distant download region, a bandwidth limit or a stale download cache.

1. Open Steam > Settings > Downloads and pick the download region nearest you.
2. Clear any bandwidth limit on the same page.
3. Exit Steam and delete the appcache and depotcache folders in the Steam install folder.

Tips and troubleshooting

Match the symptom, check the cause, then apply the fix. These are the common pitfalls behind most Game Bar, Xbox and Steam complaints.

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
Xbox Networking says Server connectivity: Blocked	No Teredo connection to the Xbox server	Fix Xbox Networking Teredo errors before reinstalling anything
Xbox app will not install games	Gaming Services damaged or outdated	Run the Gaming Services Repair Tool in the Xbox app
Steam will not launch	Maintenance, firewall or interfering software	Work through Steam not opening fixes
Steam downloads crawl	Wrong download region or a bandwidth cap	Speed up slow Steam downloads from Settings > Downloads
"Easy Anti-Cheat is not installed"	Anti-cheat service files missing	Verify game files to repair Easy Anti-Cheat
Game asks for a Visual C++ or DirectX DLL	Shared runtime not installed	Reinstall the Steamworks common redistributables by verifying the game

Troubleshooting: the most common issues and fixes

Game Bar does not open

The switch is off, a full-screen game blocks the overlay, or the broadcast process is stuck.

1. Turn Game Bar on under Settings > Gaming.
2. If Windows + G makes the screen flash twice, switch the game to borderless windowed mode.
3. End Broadcast bar server (bcastdvr.exe) in Task Manager, or select Repair under the app's Advanced options.

Recording button is grayed out

No supported GPU encoder, a game that blocks capture, or a Windows N edition.

1. Update the driver in Device Manager > Display adapters > Update driver.
2. On Windows N editions, install the Media Feature Pack.

FPS counter not showing

Game Bar is older than 3.34.11002.0, or FPS access was never requested.

1. Update Game Bar in Microsoft Store, then select Request access on the FPS tab and restart.

Recording affects game performance

Background recording uses system resources.

1. Turn Record what happened off and lower the capture frame rate and quality.

Microphone audio is missing

The mic is toggled off or excluded from captured audio.

1. Press Windows + Alt + M before recording.
2. Set Audio to record to All and check the Voice tab of the Audio widget.

Controller not detected via USB

A faulty cable or port, or a missing driver.

1. Try another cable and port, then install optional driver updates and restart.

Bluetooth pairing stalls or fails

Low batteries, a stale pairing, or firmware conflicts with non-Xbox hosts.

1. Fit fresh batteries.
2. Select Remove device, turn Bluetooth off for 10 seconds, then add the controller again.

Controller connects but shows lag or dropouts

Weak batteries or Bluetooth range.

1. Charge the batteries, move closer, or switch to USB or the Xbox Wireless Adapter.

Game Bar or other overlays block controller input

The Xbox button opens Game Bar, and the Steam overlay can also take focus.

1. Press the Xbox button again to close Game Bar.
2. Untick the Steam overlay for that game in Properties > General.

Headset audio problems or headset disconnections

Missing headset audio is a known Bluetooth issue.

1. Use USB or the Xbox Wireless Adapter, and update controller firmware.

Resetting a controller to factory defaults

Xbox Support's reset step for a misbehaving controller is a power cycle.

1. Hold the Xbox button 5-10 seconds until it turns off, then press it again.

Xbox Game Bar and PC gaming FAQ

Where are Xbox Game Bar clips saved?

Game Bar saves clips as MP4 files and screenshots as PNG files in Videos > Captures. Open the folder from Settings > Gaming > Captures > Open folder, or from the Gallery widget.

How do I disable Xbox Game Bar?

Open Settings > Gaming > Game Bar on Windows 11, or Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10, and turn the switch off. Windows + G and the Xbox button then stop opening it.

Can I uninstall Xbox Game Bar in Windows 11?

Game Bar is a Microsoft Store app that ships with Windows. Turning it off in Settings > Gaming is the supported way to stop it, and Microsoft Store reinstalls it if you need it back.

Why can't I record with Xbox Game Bar?

Recording needs a GPU encoder (Intel Quick Sync, NVIDIA NVENC or AMD VCE) and a game that allows capture. Update the display driver and use Windows + Alt + R in full-screen games.

Does Xbox Game Bar affect performance?

Background recording, called Record what happened, uses system resources and is off by default. Leave it off on weaker PCs and lower capture quality if recording slows a game.

Does Xbox Game Bar record audio?

Yes. Game Bar records game audio, and Audio to record switches between Game, All and None. Turn the microphone on with the Capture widget's mic icon or Windows + Alt + M.

Why is the Xbox app on Windows 11 not working?

Check the Xbox status page, confirm Windows is version 22H2 or later, update the Xbox app and Gaming Services from Microsoft Store, then run the Gaming Services Repair Tool.

Can I use an Xbox controller wirelessly without buying the adapter?

Yes, if the controller has Bluetooth. Xbox Series X|S controllers and later Xbox One models pair through Settings > Bluetooth & devices, though the Accessories app then cannot see them.

Final verdict and recommendations

Keep Game Bar and Game Mode on, connect an Xbox controller by USB for firmware and button mapping, and move to the Xbox Wireless Adapter when you need several controllers or Xbox headsets. Those defaults cost nothing, give you capture and FPS on demand, and keep the controller on the connection the Xbox Accessories app fully supports.

Final tips: test one clip before changing Xbox Game Bar recording settings.