Icon of program: Xbox Game Bar

Xbox Game Bar for Windows

  • Free
  • 4.3
    55
  • 226.4K
  • V7.325.10230.0

Kyle Juffs

Updated last month

Free gameplay overlay

Xbox Game Bar is a versatile gameplay overlay that comes pre-installed with Windows 10 and fits with almost all PC titles. This gaming utility was created to capture video game footage, but it can be used for any form of video capture. With this, there is no need to download third-party software like Snagit or Bandicam.

The Xbox Game Bar also includes sound modulation options for different outputs, such as background applications and chats, and the ability to discover new teammates. To use it, you need one of three encoders: Intel Fast Sync H.264, Nvidia NVENC, or AMD VCE encoders. 

What does the Xbox Game Bar do?

The Xbox Game Bar, as its name implies, has been optimized for game-play capture, which means you'll need to start playing a game on Windows 10 before you can start recording it. Keep in mind that this feature is only used in Windows 10 build 1903, so don't expect to use it in later versions. After that, begin recording the game and get the game up and running. 

You'll want to start the game bar so you can start recording gameplay videos. This is fairly easy to do, and it does not include any complex procedures. To open the overlay, simply press the Windows logo key + G hotkey. This one will assist you in managing the active overlays by allowing you to toggle them on and off according to your preferences. 

When the game bar does not show, it is normally due to the game failing to identify the keyboard shortcut or controller button being pressed. There are a few simple solutions to this. The game bar can appear while you are playing the game in windowed mode, but if you return to full screen, it will either stop capturing or vanish from the screen.

Easy-to-use screen-capturing tool 

Overall, the Xbox Game Bar performs admirably, has a user-friendly interface, and has all of the essential features. However, if you can't see the Windows 10 Game Bar, you won't know if you're capturing until the game session is over. This is inconvenient since certain other programs consistently appear as intended.

Kyle Juffs

    Kyle Juffs combines more than 15 years of gaming experience with a background in digital marketing. He specializes in writing about games, technology, and online marketing, producing long-form content that is both authoritative and approachable, with a focus on clarity and reader engagement.

    • Pros

      • Captures video game footage in real time
      • Manages all active overlays
      • Compatible with keyboard and controllers
    • Cons

      • Can fail to recognize linked devices
      • Can be prone to crashing
     0/4

    App specs

    Program available in other languages


    Icon of program: Xbox Game Bar

    Xbox Game Bar for PC

    • Free
    • 4.3
      55
    • 226.4K
    • V7.325.10230.0

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    Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.
    Softonic

    Is Xbox Game Bar safe?

    99/100

    Score result: Clean

    This file passed a comprehensive security scan using VirusTotal technology. It is safe to download.

    • Virus free
    • Spyware free
    • Malware free
    • Verified by Security Partners

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    Scan Info

    Last scan
    Thursday, April 28, 2022
    Scan provider
    VirusTotal

    Softonic security commitment

    Xbox Game Bar has been thoroughly scanned by our advanced security systems and verified by industry-leading partners. This file comes from the official developer and has passed all our security checks, showing no signs of viruses, malware, or spyware. For more information, visit our Security and Trust Center