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Xbox Game Bar is built into Windows 11 and can record a supported game or app, take screenshots, capture the last moments of gameplay, and control microphone audio. It is not a general desktop recorder: Windows 11 does not use Game Bar to record the desktop or File Explorer.
To enable it, open Start > Settings > Gaming > Game Bar, then turn on “Enable Xbox Game Bar for things like recording game clips, chatting with friends, and receiving game invites.”
Enable Xbox Game Bar
- Open Start and select Settings.
- Go to Gaming > Game Bar.
- Turn on the Xbox Game Bar option.
You can open the same settings page without navigating through Settings:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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- Enter
ms-settings:gaming-gamebar. - Select OK.
After enabling it, press Windows + G while a game or app is active. The Game Bar overlay includes widgets such as Capture, Audio, and Performance.
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Record a game or app
- Open the game or app you want to capture.
- Click inside its window so it has focus.
- Press Windows + Alt + R to start recording.
- Press the same shortcut again to stop.
Windows saves the recording as an MP4 file in:
%USERPROFILE%VideosCapturesThe filename includes the application or game name along with the recording date and time. You can also start and stop recording from the Capture widget after pressing Windows + G.
Control microphone and system audio
To mute or unmute the microphone while recording, press:
Windows key + Alt + MYou can change the audio source before recording:
- Press Windows + G.
- Select the Settings button on the Game Bar.
- Open Capturing.
- Under the audio recording options, choose All if you want the capture to include game or app audio, microphone input, other apps, and system sounds.
If your microphone is still missing, check Settings > System > Sound > Input and make sure the intended microphone is selected and working.
Take a screenshot
Focus the game or app, then press:
Windows key + Alt + Print ScreenGame Bar saves the screenshot as a PNG file in:
%USERPROFILE%VideosCapturesYou can also open the Capture widget with Windows + G and select the screenshot button.
Save the last moments of gameplay
The Capture widget can save recent gameplay when background recording is enabled. Press Windows + G, open Settings > Capturing, and enable the option for recording what happened. The available recording length depends on the settings and system resources. Once enabled, use the Capture widget’s Save the last moments control when something worth keeping happens.
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Default Game Bar shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open Game Bar | Windows + G |
| Start or stop recording | Windows + Alt + R |
| Toggle microphone | Windows + Alt + M |
| Take a screenshot | Windows + Alt + Print Screen |
To change supported shortcuts, open Game Bar with Windows + G, select Settings, and open Shortcuts. Windows only accepts replacement combinations that meet its shortcut requirements.
Change the capture folder
Game Bar normally uses Videos > Captures. To move that folder:
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- Right-click Captures under Videos.
- Select Properties, then open the Location tab.
- Select Move, choose the destination folder, and apply the change.
If your Videos folder is redirected to OneDrive, the effective location may be similar to:
%USERPROFILE%OneDriveVideosCapturesGame Bar’s Gallery can also show a capture and open its file location.
What Game Bar cannot record
Game Bar is designed for a focused game or app. It does not provide general-purpose recording of the Windows desktop or File Explorer. If you try to record either, Windows may display:
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Gaming features aren’t available for the Windows desktop or File Explorer.
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For desktop or region recording, use the Windows 11 Snipping Tool, which includes a screen-recording feature.
Fix common Game Bar problems
Game Bar does not appear in a full-screen game
Some Vulkan or OpenGL games running in exclusive full-screen mode can prevent Game Bar from appearing. Change the game’s display mode to Windowed or Borderless windowed, then try Windows + G again.
The wrong window is recorded
Game Bar captures the focused game or app. Click inside the intended window before pressing Windows + Alt + R. Do not leave the desktop or File Explorer selected.
The recording has no system sound
Open Windows + G > Settings > Capturing and select All as the audio source. Also check the selected output device and volume mixer in Windows.
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Game Bar opens but crashes or does not respond
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Xbox Game Bar and select its … button.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Repair. This attempts to fix the app without removing its data.
- If that fails, select Reset.
Update or reinstall Xbox Game Bar
Open Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates. If Game Bar is missing or damaged, find it in the library and choose the available install or reinstall option. Store apps may fail to install if you are not signed in, the app is unavailable in your region, the device is incompatible, or Microsoft Store is restricted by an organization.
If Microsoft Store itself is stuck, press Windows + R, run wsreset.exe, and wait. A blank Command Prompt window appears temporarily; Microsoft Store should open afterward. Restart Windows after a major update if Store installation still fails.
Game Bar is not Xbox mode
Xbox Game Bar is the overlay and capture tool opened with Windows + G. Xbox mode is a separate Windows 11 gaming feature found under Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode. Xbox mode requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later and does not replace Game Bar.
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Why is Xbox Game Bar not working in Windows 11?
First check Start > Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and enable it. If it opens incorrectly, use Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Xbox Game Bar > Advanced options, then select Repair. Use Reset only if Repair does not help.
Where does Xbox Game Bar save recordings?
Recordings are saved as MP4 files in %USERPROFILE%VideosCaptures by default. Screenshots are saved there as PNG files. If your Videos folder uses OneDrive, the path may be under OneDriveVideosCaptures.
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Can Xbox Game Bar record the Windows desktop?
No. Game Bar is intended for a focused game or app and does not record the desktop or File Explorer. Use Snipping Tool for general desktop screen recording.
How do I record with Xbox Game Bar?
Focus the game or app and press Windows key + Alt + R. Press the same shortcut to stop. The resulting MP4 is saved in the VideosCaptures folder.
How do I include my voice in a Game Bar recording?
Press Windows key + Alt + M to toggle the microphone during recording. If there is no microphone audio, check Settings > System > Sound > Input and verify that the correct microphone is selected.
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Enable Game Bar at Settings > Gaming > Game Bar, focus the game or app, and use Windows + Alt + R to record. Captures go to Videos > Captures. If Game Bar refuses to work, check the focused window, switch exclusive full-screen games to borderless mode, repair the app, and update it through Microsoft Store.
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