How to Download and Use Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
If you are a gamer who likes to play games on your Windows PC, you may have heard of Xbox Game Bar. This is a built-in feature of Windows that lets you access various gaming activities without leaving your game. You can use it to capture screenshots and videos of your gameplay, chat with friends, monitor your PC's performance, play music, and more.
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However, if you are using Windows 8, you may wonder if you can use this feature The answer is yes, you can use Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, but you need to download and install it first. In this article, we will show you how to do that, and how to use the various features and benefits of Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8. We will also cover some alternatives and compatibility issues that you may encounter.
Requirements for Xbox Game Bar
Before you download and install Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you need to make sure that your PC meets the minimum requirements for this feature. According to Microsoft, these are the requirements:
A PC running Windows 8 or later.
A DirectX 11 compatible graphics card.
A microphone or headset for voice chat.
A Microsoft account for signing in.
An internet connection for downloading and updating Xbox Game Bar.
If your PC meets these requirements, you can proceed to download Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8.
How to Download Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
There are two ways to download Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8: from the Microsoft Store or from a third-party source. We will explain both methods below.
From the Microsoft Store
The easiest way to download Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8 is from the Microsoft Store. Here are the steps to follow:
Open the Start menu and type "store" in the search box. Click on the Store app icon to open it.
In the Store app, type "Xbox Game Bar" in the search box and press Enter. You should see the Xbox Game Bar app in the results.
Click on the Xbox Game Bar app icon and then click on the Get button to download it. You may need to sign in with your Microsoft account if you haven't already.
Wait for the download to finish and then click on the Launch button to open Xbox Game Bar.
From a Third-Party Source
If you can't access the Microsoft Store or prefer to download Xbox Game Bar from a different source, you can also do that. However, you need to be careful and only download from trusted and reputable websites, as some may contain malware or viruses. One of the websites that we recommend is FileHorse, which offers a safe and fast download of Xbox Game Bar. Here are the steps to follow:
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Open your web browser and go to .
In the search box, type "Xbox Game Bar" and press Enter. You should see the Xbox Game Bar page in the results.
Click on the Download Latest Version button to download the setup file of Xbox Game Bar.
Once the download is complete, double-click on the setup file to run it. Follow the instructions on the screen to install Xbox Game Bar.
After the installation is done, you can open Xbox Game Bar from the Start menu or by using keyboard shortcuts (more on that later).
How to Install Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
After you download Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you need to install it and enable some gaming features for it to work properly. Here are the steps to follow:
Open the Start menu and type "settings" in the search box. Click on the Settings app icon to open it.
In the Settings app, click on Gaming. You should see a list of gaming features that you can turn on or off.
Make sure that the Game Bar option is turned on. This will allow you to open Xbox Game Bar using keyboard shortcuts or the Start menu.
Make sure that the Game DVR option is turned on. This will allow you to capture screenshots and videos of your gameplay using Xbox Game Bar.
Make sure that the Game Mode option is turned on. This will optimize your PC's performance for gaming when you use Xbox Game Bar.
Make sure that the Xbox Networking option is turned on. This will allow you to chat with friends and join parties using Xbox Game Bar.
If you want to use Xbox Game Bar with non-Microsoft Store games, you need to add them to your game library. To do that, click on the Add games button and browse for the game executable files on your PC. You can also drag and drop them from your desktop or file explorer.
Once you have installed and enabled Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you are ready to use it.
How to Open and Customize Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
To open Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you have two options: using keyboard shortcuts or using the Start menu. Here are the steps for both options:
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
The default keyboard shortcut to open Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8 is Windows key + G. You can press this combination of keys while playing any game to open Xbox Game Bar overlay on top of your game screen. You can also use other keyboard shortcuts to access specific features of Xbox Game Bar, such as:
Windows key + Alt + G: Record the last 30 seconds of your gameplay.
Windows key + Alt + R: Start or stop recording your gameplay.
Windows key + Alt + Print Screen: Take a screenshot of your gameplay.
Windows key + Alt + M: Mute or unmute your microphone.
Windows key + Alt + B: Start or stop broadcasting your gameplay.
You can change these keyboard shortcuts or create your own by going to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and clicking on the Keyboard shortcuts button.
Using the Start Menu
You can also open Xbox Game Bar from the Start menu by following these steps:
Open the Start menu and type "Xbox Game Bar" in the search box. You should see the Xbox Game Bar app icon in the results.
Click on the Xbox Game Bar app icon to open it. You should see a small window with a few buttons and icons.
To open Xbox Game Bar overlay on top of your game screen, click on the Open overlay button (the one with four squares).
To customize Xbox Game Bar settings and widgets, you can use the buttons and icons in the small window or in the overlay. Here are some of the things you can do:
To change the settings of Xbox Game Bar, such as theme, accounts, notifications, etc., click on the Settings button (the one with a gear icon).
To see and manage your captured screenshots and videos, click on the Captures button (the one with a camera icon).
To see and manage your widgets, such as Capture, Audio, Performance, Resources, Spotify, etc., click on the Widgets menu button (the one with three horizontal lines).
To pin or unpin a widget to your game screen, click on the Pin button (the one with a pin icon) on the top right corner of each widget.
To move or resize a widget on your game screen, click and drag it by its title bar or its edges.
To close a widget or Xbox Game Bar overlay, click on the Close button (the one with an X icon) on the top right corner of each widget or window.
Features and Benefits of Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
Now that you have downloaded, installed, and customized Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you may be wondering what you can do with it. Well, Xbox Game Bar offers a lot of features and benefits that can enhance your gaming experience on Windows 8. Here are some of them:
How to Capture Screenshots and Videos with Xbox Game Bar
One of the most useful features of Xbox Game Bar is the ability to capture screenshots and videos of your gameplay. You can use this feature to show off your skills, share your achievements, or create tutorials and guides. Here is how to use it:
Open Xbox Game Bar overlay by pressing Windows key + G or clicking on the Open overlay button in the small window.
Click on the Capture widget (the one with a camera icon) to open it. You should see a few buttons and options for capturing screenshots and videos.
To take a screenshot of your gameplay, click on the Take screenshot button (the one with a camera icon) or press Windows key + Alt + Print Screen. You should see a notification that your screenshot has been saved.
To record a video of your gameplay, click on the Start recording button (the one with a red dot) or press Windows key + Alt + R. You should see a timer that shows how long you have been recording.
To stop recording, click on the Stop recording button (the one with a square) or press Windows key + Alt + R again. You should see a notification that your video has been saved.
To record the last 30 seconds of your gameplay, click on the Record that button (the one with a circle) or press Windows key + Alt + G. You should see a notification that your video has been saved.
To access and share your captured screenshots and videos, click on the Show all captures button (the one with an arrow) or press Windows key + Alt + Z. This will open the Captures folder where you can view, edit, delete, or share your captures.
How to Adjust the Sound Volume with Xbox Game Bar
Another useful feature of Xbox Game Bar is the ability to adjust the sound volume of your game, chat, and background apps. You can use this feature to balance the sound levels of different sources, mute or unmute them, or change their output devices. Here is how to use it:
Open Xbox Game Bar overlay by pressing Windows key + G or clicking on the Open overlay button in the small window.
Click on the Audio widget (the one with a speaker icon) to open it. You should see a list of apps and devices that are producing sound on your PC.
To adjust the sound volume of an app or device, drag the slider next to its name left or right. You can also click on the mute button (the one with a crossed-out speaker icon) to mute or unmute it.
To change the output device of an app or device, click on the drop-down menu next to its name and select a different device from the list. You can also click on the settings button (the one with a gear icon) to open the Sound settings page where you can manage your devices and sound effects.
How to See the Performance of Your PC with Xbox Game Bar
Another useful feature of Xbox Game Bar is the ability to see the performance of your PC while playing games. You can use this feature to monitor your CPU, GPU, RAM, FPS, and other stats of your PC and see if they are affecting your gaming experience. Here is how to use it:
Open Xbox Game Bar overlay by pressing Windows key + G or clicking on the Open overlay button in the small window.
Click on the Performance widget (the one with a graph icon) to open it. You should see a dashboard that shows various metrics of your PC's performance.
To see more details about a metric, click on it. You should see a graph that shows its history and current value.
To change the time range of the graph, click on the drop-down menu at the top and select a different option, such as 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.
To pin a metric to your game screen, click on the Pin button (the one with a pin icon) next to its name. You should see a small window that shows its current value on top of your game screen. You can move or resize it as you like.
To unpin a metric from your game screen, click on the Unpin button (the one with an X icon) next to its name in the Performance widget or in the small window.
How to Manage Resources with Xbox Game Bar
Another useful feature of Xbox Game Bar is the ability to manage resources on your PC while playing games. You can use this feature to see what apps and processes are using system resources and close them if needed. Here is how to use it:
Open Xbox Game Bar overlay by pressing Windows key + G or clicking on the Open overlay button in the small window.
Click on the Resources widget (the one with a list icon) to open it. You should see a list of apps and processes that are running on your PC.
To sort the list by name, CPU usage, memory usage, or disk usage, click on the corresponding column header.
To close an app or process that is using too much resources, right-click on it and select End task from the menu. You should see a confirmation message before closing it.
To refresh the list of apps and processes, click on the Refresh button (the one with a circular arrow icon) at the top.
How to Play Music with Xbox Game Bar
Another useful feature of Xbox Game Bar is the ability to play music while playing games. You can use this feature to link your Spotify account and play your favorite songs from your playlists, albums, or artists. Here is how to use it:
Open Xbox Game Bar overlay by pressing Windows key + G or clicking on the Open overlay button in the small window.
Click on the Spotify widget (the one with a green circle icon) to open it. You should see a login screen for Spotify.
To link your Spotify account, click on the Log in button and follow the instructions on the screen. You may need to enter your Spotify username and password, or use your Facebook or Apple account.
Once you have linked your Spotify account, you should see a music player that shows the current song, artist, album, and playback controls.
To play a song from your Spotify library, click on the Browse button (the one with a magnifying glass icon) and select a playlist, album, or artist from the list. You can also search for a song by typing its name in the search box.
To play, pause, skip, or repeat a song, use the playback controls at the bottom of the Spotify widget. You can also adjust the volume by dragging the slider next to the volume icon.
To pin the Spotify widget to your game screen, click on the Pin button (the one with a pin icon) on the top right corner of the widget. You should see a small window that shows the current song and playback controls on top of your game screen. You can move or resize it as you like.
To unpin the Spotify widget from your game screen, click on the Unpin button (the one with an X icon) next to its name in the Spotify widget or in the small window.
How to Chat with Friends with Xbox Game Bar
Another useful feature of Xbox Game Bar is the ability to chat with friends while playing games. You can use this feature to chat with friends using text or voice, join parties, send messages, invite friends to games, and more. Here is how to use it:
Open Xbox Game Bar overlay by pressing Windows key + G or clicking on the Open overlay button in the small window.
Click on the Xbox Chat widget (the one with a chat bubble icon) to open it. You should see a list of your recent chats and contacts.
To start a new chat with a friend, click on the New chat button (the one with a plus icon) and type their gamertag or email address in the search box. You can also select them from your friends list if they are online.
To send a text message to a friend, type your message in the text box at the bottom of the chat window and press Enter. You can also use emojis, stickers, GIFs, and attachments by clicking on their icons next to the text box.
To start a voice chat with a friend, click on the Voice chat button (the one with a microphone icon) at the top of the chat window. You should see a notification that you have joined a voice chat.
To mute or unmute yourself or adjust your microphone volume, use the buttons and slider at the bottom of the voice chat window.
To invite more friends to join your voice chat, click on the Invite button (the one with an arrow icon) and select them from your friends list or type their gamertags or email addresses in the search box.
To leave a voice chat, click on the Leave button (the one with a phone icon) at the top of the voice chat window.
You can also use the Xbox Social widget (the one with a person icon) to see and manage your friends list, join parties, send messages, invite friends to games, and more. To open it, click on it in the Widgets menu button or in the overlay. Here are some of the things you can do with it:
To see your friends list, click on the Friends tab. You should see a list of your online and offline friends, their gamertags, and their status.
To add a new friend, click on the Add friend button (the one with a plus icon) and type their gamertag or email address in the search box. You can also select them from the suggested list if they are online.
To remove a friend, right-click on their name and select Remove friend from the menu. You should see a confirmation message before removing them.
To join a party, click on the Parties tab. You should see a list of parties that you can join or create.
To join an existing party, click on the Join button (the one with an arrow icon) next to the party name. You should see a notification that you have joined the party.
To create a new party, click on the Create party button (the one with a plus icon) and select the friends that you want to invite from your friends list or type their gamertags or email addresses in the search box.
To leave a party, click on the Leave button (the one with a phone icon) at the top of the party window.
To send a message to a friend or a party, click on the Messages tab. You should see a list of your recent messages and contacts.
To send a new message, click on the New message button (the one with a plus icon) and type your message in the text box at the bottom of the message window and press Enter. You can also use emojis, stickers, GIFs, and attachments by clicking on their icons next to the text box.
To invite a friend or a party to a game, click on the Invite to game button (the one with a controller icon) and select the game that you want to invite them to from the list. You can also search for a game by typing its name in the search box.
Alternatives and Compatibility of Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
While Xbox Game Bar is a great feature for gamers on Windows 8, it may not work with some games or devices. Some games may not support Xbox Game Bar features, such as screen capture, chat, or performance monitoring. Some devices may not have the required hardware or software for Xbox Game Bar to run smoothly. In these cases, you may need to use some alternatives or solutions to enjoy your gaming experience. Here are some of them:
How to Check Compatibility of Xbox Game Bar with Your Games and Devices
Before you use Xbox Game Bar with your games and devices, you should check if they are compatible with it. Here are some ways to do that:
To check if your games are compatible with Xbox Game Bar, go to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and click on the Compatible games button. You should see a list of games that are compatible with Xbox Game Bar features. You can also search for a game by typing its name in the search box.
To check if your devices are compatible with Xbox Game Bar, go to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and click on the Compatible devices button. You should see a list of devices that are compatible with Xbox Game Bar features. You can also search for a device by typing its name in the search box.
If your games or devices are not compatible with Xbox Game Bar, you may see an error message or a warning icon when you try to use it. You can also check for compatibility issues by going to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and clicking on the Troubleshoot button. You should see a list of possible issues and solutions.
How to Troubleshoot Problems with Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
If you encounter any problems with Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, such as not opening, not recording, not showing widgets, etc., you can try some of these solutions:
Make sure that your PC meets the minimum requirements for Xbox Game Bar, as mentioned above.
Make sure that your games and devices are compatible with Xbox Game Bar, as mentioned above.
Make sure that you have the latest version of Xbox Game Bar installed. To check for updates, go to the Microsoft Store app and click on the Downloads and updates button. You should see a list of apps that have updates available. Click on the Update button next to Xbox Game Bar to download and install the latest version.
Make sure that you have the latest drivers for your graphics card, sound card, and other devices. To check for driver updates, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on the Check for updates button. You should see a list of updates available. Click on the Download and install button to download and install the latest drivers.
Make sure that you have enough disk space and memory for Xbox Game Bar to run smoothly. To check your disk space and memory usage, go to Settings > System > Storage and click on the View storage usage button. You should see a breakdown of how much space and memory each category is using. If you are running low on space or memory, you can use the Storage Sense feature to free up some space or close some apps or processes that are using too much resources.
Make sure that you have a stable internet connection for Xbox Game Bar to work properly. To check your internet connection, go to Settings > Network & Internet and click on the Status tab. You should see your current connection status and speed. If you have any problems with your connection, you can use the Network troubleshooter feature to diagnose and fix them.
If none of these solutions work, you can try resetting Xbox Game Bar to its default settings. To do that, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and click on the Xbox Game Bar app. You should see a list of options for the app. Click on the Advanced options link and then click on the Reset button. You should see a confirmation message before resetting the app.
How to Use Alternatives to Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
If you are not satisfied with Xbox Game Bar or want to try something different, you can also use some alternatives that offer similar or better features. Here are some of them:
Name
Description
Pros
Cons
A platform that allows you to access various gaming apps and widgets while playing games, such as screen capture, chat, performance monitoring, music, etc.
- Supports more than 1000 games.- Offers a large variety of apps and widgets.- Allows you to create your own apps and widgets.
- Requires a separate download and installation.- May affect your PC's performance.- May not be compatible with some games or devices.
A platform that allows you to capture and share short clips of your gameplay with your friends or online communities.
- Supports more than 5000 games.- Offers a simple and easy-to-use interface.- Allows you to edit and upload your clips online.
- Requires a separate download and installation.- Only captures up to 120 seconds of gameplay.- May not be compatible with some games or devices.
A platform that allows you to record the last few seconds or minutes of your gameplay without affecting your PC's performance.
- Supports any game that runs on Windows.- Offers a lightweight and low-impact solution.- Allows you to customize the recording settings.
- Requires a separate download and installation.- Only records up to 10 minutes of gameplay.- Does not offer any editing or sharing features.
Conclusion and FAQs
Xbox Game Bar is a useful feature for gamers on Windows 8 that allows them to access various gaming activities without leaving their game. You can use it to capture screenshots and videos of your gameplay, chat with friends, monitor your PC's performance, play music, and more. However, you need to download and install it first, as it is not built-in on Windows 8 In this article, we have shown you how to download and install Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, and how to use its various features and benefits. We have also covered some alternatives and compatibility issues that you may encounter. We hope that this article has helped you to enhance your gaming experience on Windows 8 with Xbox Game Bar.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8:
FAQs
How do I update Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8?
To update Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you need to go to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates. Alternatively, you can download the latest version of Xbox Game Bar from a third-party source, such as FileHorse, and install it over the existing one.
How do I uninstall Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8?
To uninstall Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you need to go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and click on the Xbox Game Bar app. Then, click on the Uninstall button and follow the instructions on the screen.
How do I change the keyboard shortcuts for Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8?
To change the keyboard shortcuts for Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you need to go to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and click on the Keyboard shortcuts button. Then, you can customize the keyboard shortcuts for each feature of Xbox Game Bar or create your own.
How do I disable Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8?
To disable Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you need to go to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and turn off the Game Bar option. This will prevent Xbox Game Bar from opening with keyboard shortcuts or the Start menu.
How do I use Xbox Game Bar with Steam games on Windows 8?
To use Xbox Game Bar with Steam games on Windows 8, you need to add them to your game library in Xbox Game Bar. To do that, go to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and click on the Add games button. Then, browse for the game executable files in your Steam folder or drag and drop them from your desktop or file explorer.
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