Xbox Game Bar for Windows 8.1: A Guide to Download, Install, and Customize
Xbox Game Bar Windows 8.1 Download: How to Get It and Use It
If you are a PC gamer, you might have heard of Xbox Game Bar, a versatile gameplay overlay that comes pre-installed with Windows 10. But did you know that you can also get it on Windows 8.1? In this article, we will show you how to download and install Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8.1, and how to use it to enhance your gaming experience.
What is Xbox Game Bar?
Xbox Game Bar is a customizable, gaming overlay built into Windows 10 that works with most PC games. It gives you instant access to widgets for screen capture and sharing, finding new teammates with LFG, and chatting with Xbox friends across PC, mobile, and Xbox consoleall without leaving your game.
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Some of the features of Xbox Game Bar include:
Capture and share screenshots and videos of your gameplay with a simple press of Win+G or a customizable shortcut.
Chat with your friends using voice or text, and share gifs, screenshots, or game clips.
Find new teammates with LFG (Looking for Group), a feature that lets you browse or create posts for games you want to play.
Customize your profile with background themes and link your accounts from Steam, Discord, Twitch, and more.
Play console games from the cloud on your PC with Xbox Game Pass (sold separately).
Play games from your Xbox Series XS and Xbox One console right on your PC with remote play.
Download games from the Game Pass library or the Store tab in the app.
Redeem perks for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members within the app.
Why do you need Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8.1?
If you are still using Windows 8.1, you might be wondering why you need Xbox Game Bar on your PC. Well, there are several reasons why you might want to get it:
Xbox Game Bar is a convenient way to capture and share your gaming moments without interrupting your gameplay.
Xbox Game Bar lets you chat and connect with your friends across different platforms and devices.
Xbox Game Bar helps you find new teammates for your favorite games with LFG.
Xbox Game Bar allows you to customize and optimize your gaming experience with various settings and options.
How to download and install Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8.1?
The easiest way to get Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8.1 is to download it from the Microsoft Store. Here are the steps to do so:
Open the Microsoft Store app on your PC.
Search for "Xbox Game Bar" in the search box.
Select "Xbox Game Bar" from the results and click "Get" or "Install".
Wait for the download and installation to complete.
Launch Xbox Game Bar by pressing Win+G or clicking the app icon in the Start menu.
If you can't access the Microsoft Store or prefer another source , you can also download Xbox Game Bar from other websites . However, be careful to choose a reputable and safe source, and scan the file for viruses before installing it. Here are the steps to install Xbox Game Bar from a downloaded file:
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Download the Xbox Game Bar file from a trusted website.
Locate the file in your Downloads folder and double-click it to run it.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Launch Xbox Game Bar by pressing Win+G or clicking the app icon in the Start menu.
How to use Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8.1?
Once you have installed Xbox Game Bar on your PC, you can start using it to enhance your gaming experience. Here are some of the basics of using Xbox Game Bar on Windows 8.1:
The basics of using Xbox Game Bar widgets, shortcuts, and settings
Xbox Game Bar consists of various widgets that you can access and customize by pressing Win+G or clicking the app icon in the Start menu. Some of the widgets include:
Capture: This widget lets you take screenshots and record videos of your gameplay. You can also view and edit your captures, and share them with your friends or social media.
Xbox Social: This widget lets you chat with your Xbox friends using voice or text, and see who is online and what they are playing. You can also invite them to join your game or party, or accept their invitations.
Xbox Party: This widget lets you create or join a party with up to 16 people, and chat with them using voice or text. You can also adjust your microphone and speaker settings, and mute or unmute yourself or others.
Xbox LFG: This widget lets you find new teammates for your favorite games with LFG. You can browse or create posts for games you want to play, and join or invite others to your party.
Xbox Profile: This widget lets you customize your profile with background themes and link your accounts from Steam, Discord, Twitch, and more. You can also view your achievements, game stats, and game clips.
Xbox Game Pass: This widget lets you play console games from the cloud on your PC with Xbox Game Pass (sold separately). You can also browse and download games from the Game Pass library or the Store tab in the app.
Xbox Remote Play: This widget lets you play games from your Xbox Series XS and Xbox One console right on your PC with remote play. You can also turn on or off your console, and adjust your streaming quality and controls.
You can customize the layout and position of the widgets by dragging them around the screen, resizing them, pinning them, or closing them. You can also add more widgets by clicking the "+" button on the top left corner of the overlay.
You can access some of the widgets' features with keyboard shortcuts that you can customize in the settings. For example, you can press Win+Alt+R to start or stop recording a video, or Win+Alt+PrtScn to take a screenshot. You can view and change the shortcuts by clicking the gear icon on the top right corner of the overlay.
You can also adjust various settings for Xbox Game Bar in the settings menu. For example, you can enable or disable background recording, change the quality and duration of your captures, turn on or off notifications, and link or unlink your accounts.
How to capture and share screenshots and videos with Xbox Game Bar
One of the most useful features of Xbox Game Bar is its ability to capture and share screenshots and videos of your gameplay. Here are some tips on how to do that:
To take a screenshot of your game, press Win+Alt+PrtScn or click the camera icon in the Capture widget. The screenshot will be saved in your Videos folder under Captures.
To record a video of your game, press Win+Alt+R or click the record icon in the Capture widget. The video will be saved in your Videos folder under Captures.
To record the last 30 seconds of your game, press Win+Alt+G or click the record that icon in the Capture widget. The video will be saved in your Videos folder under Captures.
To view and edit your captures, click the show all icon in the Capture widget. You can trim, rename, delete, or open your captures in an app of your choice.
To share your captures with your friends or social media, click the share icon in the Capture widget. You can choose to share via Xbox Social, email, OneDrive, or other apps that support sharing.
How to chat and find new teammates with Xbox Game Bar
Another great feature of Xbox Game Bar is its ability to chat and find new teammates with Xbox S