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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The “Get an app to open this ‘ms-gamebar’ link” message usually means Windows cannot find or launch the app associated with Xbox Game Bar. Start by repairing Xbox Game Bar in Settings. If that does not help, reset it, reinstall it through Microsoft Store, and then check Windows and Store updates.
1. Repair Xbox Game Bar
Repair is the least destructive option because it attempts to fix the app without removing its data.
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Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Xbox Game Bar.
- Select the More (…) button next to it, then choose Advanced options.
- Select Repair.
Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Select Xbox Game Bar, then choose Advanced options.
- Select Repair.
Try the shortcut or feature that produced the error again. Microsoft notes that not every app exposes Advanced options, Repair, or Reset, so missing controls do not automatically indicate a Windows problem. See Microsoft’s repair instructions.
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2. Reset the app if Repair did not work
Return to the same Xbox Game Bar Advanced options page and select Reset. Reset can remove the app’s data and settings, so use it after Repair rather than before it.
#1 Best Overall
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
If neither option appears, continue with the Microsoft Store steps below. Some desktop apps do not support Repair or Reset.
3. Reinstall Xbox Game Bar from Microsoft Store
First uninstall the existing app if Windows allows it.
Windows 11
- Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Xbox Game Bar, select More (…) > Uninstall, and confirm.
You can also open Start > All apps, right-click Xbox Game Bar, and select Uninstall.
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Rank #2
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
Windows 10
- Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Select Xbox Game Bar > Uninstall.
Then open Microsoft Store, select Library, find Xbox Game Bar, and select Install. This is Microsoft’s documented reinstall route for Store apps: Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store.
If Uninstall is unavailable, the app may be built into Windows or may require the Control Panel route. For traditional desktop programs, search for Control Panel, open Programs > Programs and Features, right-click the program, and choose Uninstall or Uninstall/Change. Not every app can be removed from Settings.
4. Clear the Microsoft Store cache
If Microsoft Store will not open or the reinstall fails:
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- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
wsreset.exe. - Select OK.
A blank Command Prompt window should open and close automatically after about ten seconds, after which Microsoft Store should open. Microsoft documents this procedure for Store installation problems and for a Store that will not launch: Microsoft Store installation troubleshooting and Microsoft Store does not open.
5. Update Microsoft Store and Windows
In Windows 11, open Start > Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates. Available Store updates install automatically after you select Get updates.
Then check Windows itself: open Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, and select Install now if an update is offered. Restart the PC when prompted. Microsoft notes that a restart may be required before Store apps can be installed.
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- Wide Compatibility: VOYEE wired 360 controller compatible with Microsoft Xbox 360 & Slim/ PC (Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7). Just plug and play, not for FPS games
- Enhanced Game Controller: Upgraded PC 360 controller with new left and right trigger buttons and more sensitive joysticks and buttons - Respond quickly to player commands without delay
- Astonishing Gaming Experience: VOYEE wired pc controller provides rumble control and according to the game automatic vibration feedback to enhanced game experience and match your personal preference
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- What You Get: VOYEE wired 360/PC Controller, 45 Days Money Back, 365 Days Guarantee Against quality defect and 24 Hours Friendly Customer Support
6. Check why Xbox Game Bar is unavailable
If Xbox Game Bar does not appear in Microsoft Store or cannot be installed, the problem may not be a damaged app. Microsoft lists several possible reasons:
- The app is unavailable in your country or region.
- Microsoft family settings hide or restrict it.
- The app has been removed from Microsoft Store.
- The device is incompatible.
- The signed-in account is not authorized to use Microsoft Store apps.
Check that you are signed in to the intended Microsoft Store account and that family or regional restrictions are not hiding the app.
7. Use Control Panel for a conventional desktop installation
If the item producing the error is a desktop program rather than a Store app, open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Right-click the program and select Uninstall or Uninstall/Change. If the installer offers Repair, choose that first; otherwise select Change.
Best Value
- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
For Windows 10 desktop programs whose installation, update, or removal is blocked by corrupted registry keys or incomplete uninstall data, Microsoft provides the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. It is intended for desktop programs, not as a general repair tool for Microsoft Store apps.
8. Last resort on Windows 11: reinstall the current Windows version
If Xbox Game Bar still cannot be repaired or installed and other Windows apps are also malfunctioning, Windows 11 includes a system-repair option:
Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now
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This reinstalls the same Windows 11 version and repairs system files and components while preserving apps, files, and settings. It is a broader Windows repair, not a targeted Xbox Game Bar fix. Microsoft documents the option in its Windows Update reinstallation guide.
Important Windows 10 note
Microsoft support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10 after that date. The Windows 10 menu names above remain different from Windows 11: use Apps & features, not Installed apps.
Avoid unsupported protocol and PowerShell fixes
Online guides may recommend manually registering the ms-gamebar protocol, editing registry associations, or running PowerShell commands to remove and reinstall Xbox Game Bar. The current Microsoft documentation cited here does not verify those procedures as supported fixes. Use the Settings, Microsoft Store, Windows Update, and Control Panel paths above instead.
Quick Recap
Recommended order
- Repair Xbox Game Bar.
- Reset it if Repair fails.
- Clear the Store cache with
wsreset.exe. - Uninstall and reinstall the app from Microsoft Store.
- Update Microsoft Store and Windows, then restart.
- Use Control Panel or Microsoft’s desktop-program troubleshooter if the problem concerns a traditional desktop installation.
- On Windows 11, use “Reinstall now” through Windows Update only if broader system components appear damaged.
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