How to Keep the Xbox App Off Your Taskbar – Windows 10 Desktop Start Personalization

Since its initial release in 1985, the Windows operating system has become a staple across personal computers worldwide. From Windows 1.0 to Windows 11, Microsoft’s flagship OS has continued to evolve with each iteration – introducing countless new features, enhanced security and improved performance. But like any complex piece of software, it is not without its flaws and frustrations.

One such annoyance that many Windows 10 users report is the persistent reappearance of the Xbox app icon on the taskbar. Though simple to remove temporarily by right-clicking and selecting ‘Unpin from taskbar’, the icon invariably reemerges after restarting the computer. For individuals with no intention of utilizing the gaming app, this unprompted pinning can feel intrusive and clutters valuable taskbar real estate. Thankfully, there are a few tested solutions to banish the Xbox app from the taskbar for good.

How to fix Xbox game bar not working?

Go to Settings and select “Apps and Features”. Find “Xbox Game Bar” in the Apps & features list and select it. The “Advanced options” button should appear – click it. You will see the “Repair” button. If it doesn’t work, Kindly click Reset. 4. Uninstall Xbox Game Bar 4. Go to Microsoft Store then Download again Xbox Game Bar

Where are Xbox Game Bar recordings stored in Windows 10?

These recordings are stored under your Windows user folder at C:\Users\NAME\Videos\Captures by default. By the way, you can also start recording your screen by pressing Windows+Alt+R by default. Head to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar to customize these keyboard shortcuts.

Preventing the Return of the Xbox App

The key to permanently removing the Xbox app lies in editing the ‘LayoutModification.xml’ file found in a specific Windows folder. To access this:

1. Press the Windows key and R to open the Run command box.

2. Type%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Shelland hit Enter.

This opens the directory containing the LayoutModification file. Before altering the file, we highly recommend copying it to a separate location as a backup.

1. Right-click onLayoutModification.xmland select Copy then Paste the duplicate to your preferred location like the Desktop.

2. Now in the original Shell folder, right-click onLayoutModification.xmland choose Edit. This opens the file in Notepad.

3. Examine the file contents and look for a line containingMicrosoft.Xbox.Appas well as the termtaskbarin close proximity.

4. Delete this entire line.

5. Save and close the modified LayoutModification.xml file.

6. If the Xbox icon still persists in the taskbar, right-click and Unpin.

   How do I remove Xbox console companion from Windows 10?

   If you’re not, uninstall the Xbox app to free up space and resources on your computer. You need administrator privileges for your PC to remove the Xbox Console Companion from Windows 10 using the PowerShell command line: Type powershell in the Windows search box, then select Run as administrator under the Windows PowerShell heading.

   How to create desktop shortcuts for Xbox installed games on Windows 10?

   Guide: How to easily create desktop shortcuts for Xbox installed games on Windows 10 PC. Thought I would post this here, as searching online was hit and miss, but the solution is easy: To access all apps install on your Windows 10 PC, go to Start -> Run and run the command ” shell:AppsFolder ” without quotes.

   How do I rename my PC?

   A window with the title “Rename Your PC” will open. In this window, click the text field and enter a new name for your PC. Then, at the bottom of the window, click “Next.” On the next screen of the “Rename Your PC” window, click “Restart Now” to restart your PC. This will bring your PC’s new name into effect.

7. Restart the computer and enjoy an Xbox-free taskbar at last!

Making these simple tweaks to the LayoutModification settings will prevent the automatic return of the Xbox app each restart. Do note, this does not uninstall or disable the app itself – just stops the irksome icon from pinning itself. For users disinterested in gaming, now your taskbar can purely reflect the apps you actually need quick access to.

Alternative Method Via Start Menu Customization

For those uneasy about editing system files directly, there is another workaround. The Xbox app icon usually appears due its inclusion in the "Recently added" section of the Start Menu.

To restrict this:

1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Start

2. Turn off "Show recently added apps" and other auto-populate options like "Show most used apps" and "Show recently opened items in Jump Lists".

3. Click the Xbox app tile and select "Remove from list".

With autopopulation disabled, you can fully control which apps feature in the Start Menu. Combined with taskbar unpinning of Xbox, this prevents the automatic return of the pesky icon.

How do I Change my gamertag on Windows 10?

To change your gamertag from Windows 10, open the Xbox app from your Start menu. Click or tap your profile picture at the top-left corner of the app. You’ll see your Xbox profile information. Click “Customize” under your picture the bottom of the profile pane. Click “Change gamertag” under your gamertag name. Related:

How do I rename Xbox games on Windows 10?

To access all apps install on your Windows 10 PC, go to Start -> Run and run the command ” shell:AppsFolder ” without quotes. This will display a window with all icons of apps currently installed on the PC – including Xbox games and the App itself, simply drag any app icon you want to the desktop to create a shortcut and rename as desired.

How to uninstall Windows 10?

When you perform a click on a desktop program entry under Apps & features section, Windows 10 displays Uninstall and Modify options. Likewise, when you click on a default app or an app installed from Store, you get Move and Uninstall options. Many users often complain us that the Uninstall option or button is grayed out or is not clickable.

How do I fix MS-gamingoverlay error?

Press Windows key + I to launch Settings. Head to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. Turn off the toggle below Enable Xbox Game Bar for things like recording game clips, chatting with friends, and receiving game invites. The ms-gamingoverlay error will no longer appear. Hurrah! The downside, however, is that you can no longer use the Xbox Game Bar.

Conclusion

While the Windows 10 Xbox app provides useful gaming tools for some, for non-gamers it can feel like pointless bloatware. Thankfully with a few simple tweaks, it is possible to remove the Xbox app from automatically pinning itself to the taskbar on every restart. Either by editing the built-in LayoutModification.xml settings file, or disabling Start Menu auto-suggestions, you can declutter your taskbar and keep it filled only with the apps you actually need regular access to.

These tried-and-tested solutions have brought relief to many annoyed Windows users. Now you too can reclaim your taskbar’s space for your most-used utilities rather than the ever-returning Xbox icon. Our guide has outlined the necessary steps to banish the Xbox app for good – so you can get back to more important matters minus the pointless distractions.

We hope you found this tutorial useful. Please let us know in the comments if you have any other Windows OS nuisances you would like tips on fixing!

How do I remove an Xbox app from Windows 10?

Remove an app you don’t need from your Windows 10 PC Run Windows Powershell as an administrator and select Yes to let it make changes to your device. Type the command Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage and press Enter. You can download and reinstall the Xbox app at any time from the Microsoft Store.

How do I remove a built-in app from Windows 10?

Type PowerShell into the search field. Right-click Windows PowerShell. Click Run as administrator. Type Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$ ($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”} Hit Enter on your keyboard. Any built-in apps you removed will now be restored.

References

1. https://superuser.com/questions/1690150/windows-keeps-adding-xbox-icon-to-the-taskbar
2. https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/games-apps/game-setup-and-play/customize-game-bar-on-windows-10