Gaming Features Aren’t Available For Windows Desktop [Fix]

Enabling the needed gaming features should resolve this issue

3 min. read

Updated onSeptember 26, 2024

updated onSeptember 26, 2024

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You can getGaming features aren’t available for the Windows Desktop or File Explorerwhile trying to use the Game Bar. You’ll most likely get this error because media files are missing or you disabled gaming features

Here’s how to fix it:

How do I enable gaming features on Windows desktop?

Before proceeding to the fixes in this guide, try to open Game Bar from the Microsoft app as a workaround. Also, keep your Windows up to date.

1. Enable Game Mode

Before you can use the Xbox Game Bar to record games, you need to enable the necessary features from the settings. Else, you will keep getting the same prompt.

2. Reset Xbox Game Bar

If you have been using the Xbox Game Bar in the past but suddenly got the gaming features aren’t available for the windows desktop error, then you need to reset the app.

This will reverse all the changes made to it that might have caused this issue.

3. Uninstall and reinstall the Xbox Game Bar app

4. Add the Windows Media Pack to Windows 10 KN or N

Windows 10 KN and N users might need to install the Windows Media Pack to ensure they have all the media technologies required for the Game bar.

This isn’t the only problem you can encounter, and many reported thatXbox Game Bar is not workingfor them. If that happens, and you don’t use this feature, you can alwaysdisable Xbox Game Bar.

We hope the options above helped you fix theGaming features aren’t availableerror. If you need further help, let us know in the comment section below.

Gaming Features Aren’t Available For Windows Desktop [Fix]#

How do I enable gaming features on Windows desktop?#

1. Enable Game Mode#

2. Reset Xbox Game Bar#

3. Uninstall and reinstall the Xbox Game Bar app#

4. Add the Windows Media Pack to Windows 10 KN or N#