Windows Game Bar Registry Path in Regedit

This article explains how to locate and configure the system-wide registry path for the Windows Game Bar overlay using the Windows Registry Editor (Regedit). It outlines the exact registry keys responsible for enforcing machine-wide policies and controls over the Game Bar and Game DVR features in Windows.

System-Wide Registry Path

The system-wide settings and administrative policies for the Windows Game Bar overlay are located at the following registry path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\GameDVR

Key Configuration Values

Within this path, system administrators and users can enforce machine-level controls:

• Value Name: AllowGameDVR
• Type: REG_DWORD
• Value Data:
  • 0 = Disables the Windows Game Bar and Game DVR features completely across the entire system.
  • 1 = Enables the Windows Game Bar and Game DVR features system-wide.

If the GameDVR key does not exist under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows, it can be created manually by right-clicking the Windows folder, selecting New > Key, and naming it GameDVR.

Alternative and Per-User Paths

While the policy path above enforces system-wide behavior, the underlying per-user overlay configurations and preferences are stored in the following keys:

• User Overlay Settings: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR
• User Capture Configuration: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore

How to Access the Registry Path

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Paste HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\GameDVR into the address bar at the top and press Enter.
4. Modify or create the AllowGameDVR DWORD value as required, then restart your computer for changes to take effect.