Microsoft enables Windows users to download and access many games from the Microsoft Store. While the benefits of the gaming experience of MS are myriad, so are some setbacks that can be annoying for desktop players. Gaming overlay Windows 10 is one of such errors that players have been encountering. Especially, while using gaming apps like Xbox apps or Game Bar app which tends to enhance the player’s experience, this error can show up. Not just it but while playing if you take a screenshot or enable video recording, a gaming overlay popup can appear. If you happen to face the same issue with your system then you are at the right place. We bring you a perfect guide that will help you to know how to get rid of MS gaming overlay popup.

While gaming overlay issues are common to encounter while playing games on Windows 10, there are a few reasons that are a culprit behind this cause.

• Pressing Windows + G keys together can be one of the reasons why gaming overlay issues are appearing on your screen.
• Another more common cause of the error is disabling Xbox apps on Windows.
• Also, uninstalling applications such as Game Bar from Windows can be a leading factor for why you are seeing a gaming overlay popup.

Now that we have discussed the reasons leading to, you’ll need a new app to open this MS-gaming overlay error, it is time to get into the detail of some methods to prevent or resolve this issue so that you can have undisturbed time while enjoying games on your system.

Method 1: Force-stop Xbox Game Bar

Game Bar is an in-built utility in Windows 10 and 11 which allows gamers to take screenshots or record videos while playing PC games. Using this utility is one of the reasons why game overlapping happens, hence, the best thing to do in this case is to force-stop the application and then run the game. This can be done using the steps that are given below:

1. Hit the Windows key, type Task manager and click on Open.

2. Select the Processes tab and right-click on Xbox Game Bar.

3. Select End task from the menu.

4. Now, launch the game of your choice and check if the overlapping issue is resolved.

Method 2: Disable Game Bar

If force-stopping Game Bar is of no help for you then try disabling it. It is one of the simplest yet effective methods to work in this situation. Disabling the Game Bar helps in troubleshooting MS gaming overlay popup problem on Windows. You can initiate this method on your system following the steps mentioned below:

1. Launch Settings by pressing Windows + I keys simultaneously.

2. Click on Gaming setting.

3. Click on Xbox Game Bar.

4. Toggle on recording game clips, chatting with friends, and receiving game invites.

5. Next, launch the game again to check if the game overlaying problem is solved while hitting Windows + G keys simultaneously.

Also Read: How to Play 3DS Games on PC

Method 3: Uninstall Discord

Discord is a famous instant messaging application that is used for texting, calling, video calling, and simply hanging out. If you have Discord installed on your PC, it is time that you uninstall it. In some cases, it has been found to interfere with the gaming applications and cause MS gaming overlay popup error.

1. Press the Windows key, type control panel and click on Open.

2. Set View by > Category, then click on Uninstall a program.

3. Right-click on Discord app.

4. Select the Uninstall option.

5. Next, restart the PC after uninstalling the app.

6. Now, launch any game of your choice and see if MS gaming overlay popup issue is resolved. In case you want to use Discord again, you can install it on your device, sometimes reinstalling also helps in ruling out such errors.

Method 4: Reset Windows Store Cache

Store cache can be another reason you’ll need a new app to open this MS-gaming overlay error that pops up on your screen. If this is the case then resetting the overloaded cache of the Microsoft Store becomes important. You can manage to reset the cache with the help of the following mentioned steps:

1. Press the Windows key, type wsreset and click on Open.

2. The Wsreset run command will automatically open and reset the cache.

3. Finally, reboot the PC to apply these changes and check if MS gaming overlay popup is resolved.

Also Read: Fix Windows Store Error 0x80072ee7

Method 5: Disable Key Binding

To get rid of the MS gaming overlay Windows 10 popup error, it is suggested to disable key binding in Registry Editor. This method has been proven to be useful in overcoming the problem for many users.

1. Hit the Windows key, type Registry Editor and click on Open.

2. Navigate to the given location path in Registry Editor.

 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR

3. Right-click on AppCapturedEnabled.

4. If the entry does not exist, right-click on the right side of the Windows, choose New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value to create NoWinKeys.

5. Right-click on NoWinKeys and select Modify.

6. Set Value data to 0, Base to Decimal, and click OK.

7. Next, type HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore in the navigation bar.

8. Locate GameDVR_Enabled. If it’s not there repeat the same instruction as stated above in step 4 to create one.

9. Right-click on it and select Modify.

10. Set Value data to 0 in the window and click OK.

11. Restart your system and check if MS gaming overlay popup issue is resolved.

Method 6: Reinstall Windows Apps

Uninstalling built-in Windows apps can also result in MS games showing overlap errors. It is possible to delete game apps like the Xbox app while deleting Windows apps. If this is the case, then reinstalling those apps can be of great help in getting rid of the error. The following methods will help you guide in how to perform the reinstallation process on your PC.

1. Launch the File Explorer app by pressing Windows + E keys together.

2. Type the following in the navigation bar.

C:/Users/YOURUSERNAME/AppData/Local/Packages

3. If you can’t find the AppData folder by doing so then click on the View tab.

4. Check the box for Hidden items.

5. Now, type %localappdata% in the navigation bar and press the Enter key.

6. Here, open the Packages folder and delete all files and folders in it. You can also move all the files in it to a safe location.

7. Hit the Windows key, type Windows PowerShell and click on Run as Administrator.

8. Type the following command and press Enter key.

 Enter: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

9. Once all the Windows apps are reinstalled, check if MS gaming overlay popup error is resolved.

Also Read: Fix Microsoft Store Not Installing Apps

Method 7: Reset Microsoft Store

The last method which has been quite effective is to reset Microsoft Store. If none of the above methods were of any help to you then it is obvious that the issue lies with the Microsoft Store and resetting it will get rid of any problem with gaming apps. Take the help of the below-mentioned steps to perform the resetting method on your PC.

1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows + I key together.

2. Click on Apps setting.

3. Next, click on Apps & features option.

4. Scroll down and click on the Microsoft Store app, and select Advanced options.

5. Select Repair, if the problem persists, then select Reset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is MS game overlay in Windows?

Ans. MS game overlay is an error commonly seen by Windows users when they try to take a screenshot or record a video while playing a game. This error is related to Windows Game Bar and has been encountered by Windows 10 and 11 users.

Q2. Can I turn off the game overlay on my system?

Ans. Yes, an overlay can be turned off on a system. In case you have downloaded the game via the Steam app, you can disable the game overlay by accessing in-game settings.

Q3. What is a Game Bar?

Ans. Game bar is a built-in application for Windows 10 users that allows features like taking a screenshot or recording a video while playing PC games. This can be achieved by pressing Windows + G keys together which helps you to open Xbox Game Bar on your desktop.

Q4. How can I open Microsoft overlay?

Ans. To open Microsoft overlay, all you have to do is press Windows + G keys together which will open up the Xbox Game Bar.

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We hope that this guide helped clear out your doubts about gaming overlay and you were able to know how to get rid of MS gaming overlay popup in Windows 10. Let us know which one of the methods was your favorite and helped you a lot. If you have further queries or any suggestions you would like to give, then drop them in the comments section below.