Disable Windows Game Mode via Registry

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to disable Windows Game Mode and its background scheduling optimizations across all user profiles using the Windows Registry Editor (Regedit). Modifying system-wide policy keys ensures that Game Mode scheduling behaviors, thread prioritization, and background capture services are permanently deactivated for every user account on the system.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter.
  3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative privileges.

Step 2: Disable GameDVR Policy Globally

  1. In the Registry Editor address bar, paste the following path and press Enter:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

  2. Check if a key named GameDVR exists under Windows. If it does not:

    • Right-click the Windows folder.
    • Select New > Key.
    • Name the new key GameDVR.

  3. Select the GameDVR key.

  4. Right-click in the empty space on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowGameDVR.

  5. Double-click AllowGameDVR, set its Value data to 0, and click OK.

Step 3: Disable System-Wide Game Mode Scheduling

To prevent the Windows kernel from altering thread priorities and CPU scheduling for gaming processes across all accounts:

  1. Navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\ApplicationManagement\AllowGameDVR

  2. Locate the value DWORD in the right pane.

  3. Double-click value, set the Value data to 0, and click OK.

Step 4: Disable Auto Game Mode in the Default User Profile

Applying this setting to the default user template ensures any newly created profiles also inherit disabled Game Mode optimizations:

  1. Navigate to:

    HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\GameBar

    (If the GameBar key does not exist, right-click Microsoft, select New > Key, and name it GameBar.)

  2. Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowAutoGameMode.

  3. Double-click AllowAutoGameMode, set the Value data to 0, and click OK.

  4. Repeat the creation of the AllowAutoGameMode DWORD set to 0 inside your current profile at:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\GameBar

Step 5: Restart the Computer

Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the policy changes across all active sessions and services. Windows will now use standard thread scheduling and resource allocation regardless of the running foreground application.