Use Game Bar Resources Widget to Close Background Apps Before Gaming
Difficulty: Beginner |
Time Required: 10 minutes
If your games feel a little sluggish, stutter more than expected, or take too long to load, background apps may be using system resources you would rather save for gaming. Windows includes a handy Xbox Game Bar feature called the
Resources widget, which lets you quickly see which apps are using CPU, GPU, RAM, and disk activity, then close unnecessary ones without digging through Task Manager.
This is especially useful right before launching a demanding game, streaming session, or competitive match where every bit of performance helps. In this guide, you will learn how to open the Game Bar, use the Resources widget, identify apps that are safe to close, and avoid shutting down anything important.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
- Xbox Game Bar enabled
- A keyboard with the Windows key + G shortcut available
- A game or normal desktop session open
Version notes
- Windows 10: Xbox Game Bar is built in on most modern versions.
- Windows 11: Xbox Game Bar is also included and works similarly, though the interface may look slightly different depending on updates.
- If Game Bar has been removed or disabled, you can reinstall or enable it from Settings or the Microsoft Store.
Step 1: Make sure Xbox Game Bar is enabled
Before using the Resources widget, confirm that Game Bar is turned on.
On Windows 11:
- Open Settings.
- Click Gaming.
- Select Xbox Game Bar.
- Make sure the option to open Xbox Game Bar using Win + G is turned On.
On Windows 10:
- Open Settings.
- Click Gaming.
- Select Xbox Game Bar.
- Turn on Enable Xbox Game Bar if it is disabled.
Note: If the shortcut does not work, Game Bar may be disabled by system policy, a cleanup utility, or a customized gaming image.
Step 2: Launch the Xbox Game Bar
- Press Windows key + G.
- The Xbox Game Bar overlay should appear on top of your desktop or game.
- You will see several panels or widgets, such as Audio, Capture, Performance, and possibly Resources.
If you do not see the Resources widget immediately, do not worry—you can add it manually in the next step.
Step 3: Open the Resources widget
- In the Game Bar overlay, look for the Widget Menu at the top of the screen.
- Click Widget Menu.
- Select Resources from the list.
The Resources widget will open as a small panel showing currently running apps and how much of your system resources they are using.
Depending on your system and Game Bar version, you may see usage categories like:
This gives you a quick snapshot of which apps are consuming performance that could otherwise go to your game.
Tip: You can drag the widget to a more convenient position on the screen so it does not block anything important.
Step 4: Review which apps are using resources
Now that the Resources widget is open, take a moment to identify what is running in the background.
- Look through the list of active apps and processes.
- Check which ones are using the most CPU, memory, or GPU.
- Pay attention to apps you do not need while gaming, such as:
- Web browsers with many tabs open
- Chat apps you are not using
- Launchers running in the background
- Updaters or sync tools
- Media apps
- Editing or office software left open
Some background activity is normal, but unnecessary apps can reduce available RAM and processing power.
Important: Not everything listed should be closed. Windows system processes, drivers, antivirus tools, and hardware utilities may be necessary for stable operation.
Step 5: Close unnecessary background apps
Once you spot an app you do not need, you can close it directly from the Resources widget.
- Find the app in the Resources list.
- Select it or hover over it, depending on your Game Bar version.
- Click the X or End task option next to the app.
- Confirm if prompted.
Repeat this for each non-essential app you want to close before gaming.
Good candidates to close
These are often safe to shut down if you are not actively using them:
- Web browsers
- Music apps
- Unused game launchers
- Messaging apps you do not need
- File sync apps temporarily running in the background
- Office apps or PDF readers
Apps you should usually avoid closing
Be cautious with these:
- Windows Explorer
- Antivirus/security software
- Audio drivers or sound control utilities
- Graphics driver software
- Touchpad, keyboard, or mouse utilities
- System processes with unfamiliar technical names
Warning: Closing the wrong process can cause instability, missing audio, disconnected accessories, or even force a sign-out. If you are unsure what an app does, leave it running.
Step 6: Check available resources again
After closing a few background apps:
- Watch the Resources widget update.
- See whether CPU, RAM, GPU, or disk usage drops.
- Confirm that only the apps you need remain open.
This is a quick way to verify that your system is more ready for gaming.
If you are preparing for a heavier title, even freeing a few hundred megabytes of RAM can help reduce stutter or improve responsiveness on lower-memory systems.
Step 7: Pin the widget if you want to monitor it while gaming
If you want the Resources widget to stay visible while launching your game:
- Look for the Pin icon on the widget.
- Click it to keep the widget on screen.
- Resize or move it if needed.
This can be useful if you want to monitor whether another app suddenly spikes in usage while gaming.
Tip: If you find the overlay distracting, unpin it once you finish cleaning up background apps.
Step 8: Start your game and test performance
Once the unnecessary apps are closed:
- Launch your game.
- Play for a few minutes.
- Check whether load times, stutter, or responsiveness improve.
The biggest difference is usually noticeable on:
- Systems with 8 GB of RAM
- PCs with many startup apps
- Lower-end CPUs
- Systems multitasking heavily before gameplay
On high-end systems, the improvement may be smaller, but reducing background clutter can still help maintain smoother performance.
Tips and Troubleshooting Notes
If Win + G does not open Game Bar
Try these fixes:
- Open Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and make sure it is enabled.
- Restart your PC.
- Update Xbox Game Bar through the Microsoft Store.
- Check whether your keyboard shortcut has been remapped or disabled.
If the Resources widget is missing
- Open the Widget Menu in Game Bar and add it manually.
- Update Xbox Game Bar from the Microsoft Store.
- Make sure you are signed into Windows normally and not using a stripped-down installation missing gaming components.
If an app keeps reopening
Some apps restart automatically after being closed. In that case:
- Disable them from Startup apps
- Turn off background permissions where possible
- Exit them fully from the system tray near the clock
If performance still does not improve
Closing apps helps, but it is only one part of gaming optimization. You may also want to:
- Update your GPU drivers
- Enable Game Mode in Windows
- Lower in-game graphics settings
- Install games on an SSD
- Check for overheating
- Close browser tabs before launching a game
Extra beginner tip
If you are not sure whether an app is important, open
Task Manager afterward and compare what remains running. Over time, you will learn which apps are safe to close before gaming sessions.
Conclusion
The Xbox Game Bar
Resources widget gives Windows 10 and Windows 11 users a fast, beginner-friendly way to close unnecessary background apps before gaming. Instead of opening Task Manager and sorting through dozens of processes, you can use a simple overlay to spot resource-hungry apps and shut them down in seconds.
This can help free up RAM, reduce CPU load, and give your games more room to perform smoothly—especially on mid-range or older PCs. Used carefully, it is one of the easiest pre-game cleanup tools built right into Windows.
Key Takeaways:
- The Xbox Game Bar Resources widget helps identify apps using CPU, GPU, RAM, and disk resources
- You can close unnecessary background apps quickly without leaving your desktop or game
- This feature works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, though the interface may vary slightly
- Be careful not to close system processes, security software, or hardware utilities
- Freeing up resources before gaming can improve responsiveness and reduce stutter
This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.