Xbox Game Bar for Windows 8: How to Install and Customize It
Download Xbox Game Bar for Windows 8: A Complete Guide
If you are a PC gamer who wants to enjoy the best of both worlds, you might be interested in downloading Xbox Game Bar for Windows 8. Xbox Game Bar is a handy tool that lets you access various features and widgets related to gaming, such as screen capture, chat, LFG, and more, without leaving your game. In this article, we will show you how to download and install Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, what you can do with it, and how to troubleshoot some common issues.
What is Xbox Game Bar?
Xbox Game Bar is a built-in app that works with most PC games, giving you instant access to widgets for screen capture and sharing, finding new teammates with LFG, and chatting with Xbox friends across Xbox console, mobile, and PCall without leaving your game. You can simply press Win+G to open Xbox Game Bar while playing your favorite game and customize it according to your preferences. You can also use Xbox Game Bar to browse and play games from Game Pass and cloud gaming if you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
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Why use Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8?
Xbox Game Bar is a useful tool for PC gamers who want to enhance their gaming experience and connect with other gamers. Here are some of the benefits of using Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8:
You can easily capture screenshots and videos of your gameplay and share them with your friends or on social media.
You can chat with your friends using voice or text, send GIFs, screenshots, or game clips, and join parties across PC, Xbox console, and mobile.
You can discover and play over 100 high-quality PC games from Game Pass, as well as console games from the cloud, using the Xbox app for Windows PC.
You can customize your profile with background themes, link your social accounts, and redeem perks if you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.
You can access all these features without minimizing or exiting your game, just by pressing Win+G.
How to download and install Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8?
To download and install Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8, you need to follow these steps:
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Step 1: Check your system requirements
Before you download Xbox Game Bar, make sure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements. Here are the specifications you need:
OSProcessorGPUMemoryStorageDirectXMonitor
Windows 10/11, version 22H1 or higherIntel Core i5; AMD Ryzen 5. Quad-core or higher.NVIDIA GTX 1050; AMD Radeon RX 5608GB RAM, 3GB VRAM150GBDirectX 12 API1080p
Step 2 Step 2: Download the Xbox app for Windows PC
The Xbox app for Windows PC is the gateway to access Xbox Game Bar, Game Pass, and cloud gaming on your PC. You can download it from the Microsoft Store or from the official website. Once you have downloaded the app, run the installer and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
Step 3: Launch the Xbox app and sign in with your Microsoft account
After installing the Xbox app, launch it from your Start menu or desktop shortcut. You will need to sign in with your Microsoft account to use the app. If you don't have one, you can create one for free. If you already have an Xbox Live account, you can use the same credentials to sign in. You will also need to agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of the app.
Step 4: Press Win+G to open Xbox Game Bar
Now that you have signed in to the Xbox app, you are ready to use Xbox Game Bar on your PC. To open it, simply press Win+G on your keyboard while playing any game. You will see a toolbar at the top of your screen with various icons for different widgets. You can click on any icon to open the corresponding widget, or use the keyboard shortcuts shown below each icon. You can also drag and drop the widgets anywhere on your screen, resize them, or pin them to keep them visible.
What can you do with Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8?
Xbox Game Bar offers a variety of features and widgets that can enhance your gaming experience and connect you with other gamers. Here are some of the things you can do with Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8:
Capture and share your gameplay
One of the most popular features of Xbox Game Bar is the ability to capture screenshots and videos of your gameplay and share them with your friends or on social media. To do this, you can use the Capture widget, which lets you take screenshots, record clips, or start a broadcast. You can also use the Audio widget to adjust your microphone and speaker settings, or mute yourself or others during a broadcast. You can access your captured media from the Gallery widget, where you can edit, trim, or delete them. You can also share them directly from there to your Xbox activity feed, chat, or social networks.
Chat and connect with your friends
Xbox Game Bar also lets you chat and connect with your friends across PC, Xbox console, and mobile. You can use the Chat widget to send text messages, GIFs, screenshots, or game clips to your friends or groups. You can also use the Voice widget to join or start a party with voice chat. You can see who is online and what they are playing from the Friends widget, and invite them to join your game or party. You can also use the Looking for Group (LFG) widget to find new teammates for any game.
Browse and play games from Game Pass and cloud gaming
If you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can use Xbox Game Bar to browse and play over 100 high-quality PC games from Game Pass, as well as console games from the cloud. You can use the Game Pass widget to see what games are available, what games are leaving soon, and what games are recommended for you. You can also download or launch any game from there with one click. You can also use the Cloud Gaming widget to stream console games from the cloud to your PC without downloading them. All you need is a compatible controller and a stable internet connection.
Customize your profile and settings
Xbox Game Bar also lets you customize your profile and settings according to your preferences. You can use the Profile widget to change your gamertag, avatar, background theme, bio, location, and social accounts. You can also redeem perks if you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, such as free trials, in-game items, or discounts. You can use the Settings widget to adjust your general, gaming, capture, audio, network, and account settings. You can also enable or disable notifications, keyboard shortcuts, performance metrics, and feedback options.
Troubleshooting tips for Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8
Xbox Game Bar is designed to work smoothly with most PC games and systems, but sometimes you might encounter some issues or errors. Here are some troubleshooting tips for Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8:
How to update Xbox Game Bar?
To ensure that you have the latest version of Xbox Game Bar on your PC, you should update it regularly from the Microsoft Store[^4 . To do this, follow these steps:
Open the Microsoft Store app from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Click on the three dots icon in the top right corner and select Downloads and updates.
Click on Get updates and wait for the app to check for available updates.
If there is an update for Xbox Game Bar, click on the Update button next to it and wait for the installation to complete.