Windows 11 comes with a Game bar feature. This gaming feature makes it easy to capture gameplay, tweak your gaming experience, and enjoy a set of centralized controls. However, some of our readers get the error message gaming features aren’t available for the Windows desktop or File Explorer.
If you also experience this problem, you will be able to fix it with the solutions we explore below. You may also consider using the best gaming settings for Windows 11.
1. Repair and Reset the Xbox App
Microsoft applications come with a repair and reset option. When you repair the app, minor bugs that may trigger the problem are corrected. Additionally a reset will restore all configurations, fixing any issues that may cause the error message gaming features aren’t available for the Windows desktop or File Explorer.
1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click Apps on the right pane, then click Installed Apps on the left.
3. Click the three dots of your Xbox app and click Advanced options.
4. Click the Repair button, and if the problem remains, repeat the steps above, but this time, click the Reset button.
2. Update the Xbox App
An Outdated Xbox app could affect the gaming features. This may be the reason behind the error message gaming features aren’t available for the Windows desktop or File Explorer.
1. Click the magnifying lens on the Taskbar, type Microsoft Store, and click the app.
2. Click the Library option on the left pane, then click Get Updates on the left.
3. Reinstall Xbox Game Bar
You may also reinstall the Xbox game bar. This is a valid fix when bugs or file corruption cause the problem on your computer. Follow the steps below.
1. Click the magnifying lens on the Taskbar, type PowerPoint, and click the Run as administrator option.
2. Type the script below and hit Enter.
3. After the command runs, type the script below and hit Enter to reinstall Xbox Game bar.
4. Restart the computer.
4. Open the Xbox App Directly from Microsoft Store
If you get the error message gaming features aren’t available for the Windows Desktop, you may be facing a problem with your video recorder button in the Game bar. An easy workaround that many users have found effective is opening the Xbox app directly from Microsoft Store.
5. Enable Xbox Game Bar
As an effective option, you must enable the Xbox game bar. When the game bar is disabled, there is a chance that some gaming features may not work. Follow the steps below.
1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.
2. Click Gaming on the left and Gaming Bar on the right.
3. Toggle on Allow your controller to open Game bar.
6. Update Your Computer
Outdated devices are often triggers for multiple computer problems. If none of the solutions above work, you should update Windows 11 following the steps below.
1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.
2. Click Windows Update in the left pane, then click Check for Updates in the right.
3. Download and install any updates, then restart your computer.
No More Unavailable Gaming Features
The solutions we have shared in this guide will come in very handy. As a workaround, you may use an alternative tool. One such example is the RecForth tool, downloadable on the Microsoft Store.
Once you are done, you should no longer have gaming features that are unavailable on Windows 11.
Did you fix the problem? Please tell us what fixes were effective.
FAQs
Why is my Gaming features not available for desktop?
This error may result from bad configuration, system bugs, or disabled game options on Windows 11.
Can any desktop be used for Gaming?
Yes, a desktop can be used for gaming. In fact, Windows 11 comes with several gaming-centric features.
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