Xbox Game Bar SDK

Expand your reach on a customizable gaming overlay built into Windows 10

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Illustration of Windows key plus 'G' key

What is the Game Bar?

Through the power of Win+G, Xbox Game Bar is a customizable gaming overlay that gives players access to experience-enhancing widgets — all without leaving their game.

Game Bar overview
Game bar menu showing over Forza

Get started building your Game Bar extension

Whether you're an app dev or a game dev, we have the tools to help enhance your players' experience.

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Meet your players where they are

Players don’t like to tab away and risk losing their game. Do them a solid with custom widgets that light up your experience and help players stay in the game.

Learn how to create custom widgets today
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Xbox Game Bar SDK uses familiar tools

The Game Bar widget is no different than any other UWP XAML app. Aside from a slightly different activation and a little "bootstrapping" when the app is activated, it’s a set of tools you’re already familiar with.

Learn more about your development experience

Widget store within the Game Bar

A dedicated Widget store provides a focused catalog for widget discoverability and management — without interrupting gameplay.

Learn more about the Widget Store
Game Bar overlay showing the 'Razor Cortex' gaming performance enhancement widget from the store
Developer with headphones on wearing a beanie, looking at a screen with multicolored code

Xbox code samples

We have a selection of widget code samples available to help you build the right experiences for your unique scenarios.

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Start developing now

We’ve made it easy for you to get your overlay up and running using the tools you already know.

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