Gaming Open Game Bar in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to open the Game Bar over your game, app, or desktop in Windows 11.

You can open the Game Bar to take control of all your favorite gaming activities while playing on your Windows 11 device.

When you open Game Bar, a variety of Xbox gaming activities are at your fingertips. Select a feature from the Widget Menu and it’ll pop up as a widget. Many of these can be moved, resized, or pinned to your screen.

Xbox Game Bar has customization options that let you quickly jump between your game and favorite activities.

The Home Bar is the bar at the top of the Game Bar screen. Your favorites will appear on the Home Bar for quicker access to widgets.

The Controller Bar is a view of the Xbox Game Bar that allows you to quickly access games and apps using any Xbox controller.

Starting with Windows 11 build 23570 (Dev), build 25977 (Canary), and build 22635.2486 (Beta) the Xbox Game Bar app will now show as just Game Bar under the Start menu and also under Settings > System > Apps > Installed apps. This change will come through a Game Bar update via the Microsoft Store.

Reference:

If you’re having trouble using Game Bar—like getting keyboard shortcuts to work—here are some things to try.:




EXAMPLE: Xbox Game Bar







1 Press the Win + G keys.





1 Open the Start menu, and click/tap on All apps. (see screenshot below)


2 Click/tap on Game Bar or Xbox Game Bar. (see screenshot below)

This option requires turning on Open Game Bar using Xbox button on controller.

1 Press the Xbox button on the connected game controller. (see screenshot below)


2 Click/tap on the Home Bar button on the Control Bar. (see screenshot below)






1 While the Control Bar is open, click/tap on the Home Bar button. (see screenshot below)




That's it,
Shawn Brink