Why is Xbox Game Bar opening primarily on my SECONDARY Monitor?

Shrewstur · Jul 17, 2022

This is weird, right? Everyone online posts about why isn't there the ability to choose for it to open on the secondary monitor; meanwhile, I accidentally stumbled upon the holy grail, and I don't even want it. For several years, it opened by default on my primary monitor, as the app is intended. Yet after I made some powershell changes to the program, it now default opens on the 2nd monitor. If I'm not on an active window on my primary monitor, it will open on my 2nd monitor.

Background: I was having issues with Xbox Gamebar, because it was only partially uninstalled via change or remove programs. I did this years ago back when I thought I had no use for the program. Thus I had to look for a more brute force method to uninstall it, such that I could have a fresh reinstall. I tried some of the things this Github guide on how to use PowerShell to uninstall it, and I had PowerShell active on my second monitor while using it. It did not successfully uninstall it. I suspect something I followed on this guide caused it, because I think I might have observed the odd behavior starting then. Afterwards, I tried following this Redmondmag guide, and I successfully uninstalled it. (I can't seem to replicate it though.) From there, I freshly installed it from the Microsoft Store. It became clear then that Xbox GameBar wasn't working how it usually did.

Things I've tried? System restore didn't work, reverting to days before I messed with PowerShell. Neither did disconnecting my second monitor and messing around with resolution/primary monitor settings both while it was unplugged and when it was replugged. Neither did mass-deleting every setting file in my Roaming folder related to Xbox Gamebar. I downloaded Overwolf/Outplayed on the day the issue started happening; one of its settings let me pick my secondary monitor. I reverted that setting just in case, but that didn't solve the problem. No other applications I use are confusing monitors.

I want Xbox Gamebar to recognize my primary monitor as primary. What is this bizarro world I found myself in.

:)

Tezzerrific

you may have to reset windows completely as you may have done perm changes via powershell that cannot be undone.

II DIDIER II

Hi BrittonP.

The Xbox Gamer Bar works as a monitor to visualize some options within the game. this is why it closes. If you use an Xbox controller to play on the PC, with the button that has the Xbox logo (guide button) you can open the Game Bar with a single click, basically
it's just a popup menu.

Tatakai no Kami

I consider it primarily to be a gaming console and it's secondary function is to stream Media from My pc to various Tv's around my residence

{Parity}

If you put the xbox in power saving mode it does power off and stay off. If yours is not doing that then there may be other issues.

Yes the is the "Official" XBOX Support forum but it is monitored primarily my gamers like yourself. Why do you ask?

ViktorStojq

The reason why I cannot do this is because my xBox Games Bar won't even open. Yes, I'm well aware that I could deinstall my captures but I cannot open the Game Bar when I'm playing a game. That is my question, how to fix that?

Why is Xbox Game Bar opening primarily on my SECONDARY Monitor?