Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Location should be in C:\Windows\System32\gamebarftwrecorder.exe
Warning
Typically legitimate during capture
During recording, multiple threads may be active; this is expected behavior
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disable Game Bar recording in settings if you do not use screen capture
What is gamebarftwrecorder.exe?
gamebarftwrecorder.exe is the Windows Game Bar recorder component responsible for capturing gameplay or app activity. It coordinates frame and audio capture, encoding, and storage when you enable screen recording via the Game Bar overlay.
During capture, the process runs in the background to coordinate frame and audio buffers, encode the video, and store the result. It uses Windows APIs and hardware acceleration to minimize impact on gameplay.
Quick Fact: Game Bar recording has been part of Windows for many updates, enabling lightweight in-game capture with minimal user disruption.
Types of Game Bar Recorder Processes
- Main Recorder Process: Coordinates capture, storage, and control flow
- Encoder Process: Handles video/audio encoding for the capture
- Overlay Interaction Process: Responds to Game Bar overlay actions (start/stop, microphone)
- Background Telemetry: Optional data collection related to capture sessions
- Disk Writer: Writes recorded chunks to disk or cache
- Device Sync: Manages audio/video device selection and sync
Is gamebarftwrecorder.exe Safe?
Yes, gamebarftwrecorder.exe is safe when it is the legitimate Windows component located in C:\Windows\System32 and signed by Microsoft.
Is gamebarftwrecorder.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real gamebarftwrecorder.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may mimic names; verify with digital signature and location.
How to Tell if gamebarftwrecorder.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Windows\System32\gamebarftwrecorder.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show "Microsoft Corporation".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage during capture: CPU 2-12%, memory 60-180 MB. Constant high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Should run primarily when the Game Bar is capturing; persistent activity when idle could indicate malware.
Red Flags: If the file is missing a valid Microsoft signature, located outside System32, or runs continuously without Game Bar activity, scan with a reputable antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files.
Why Is gamebarftwrecorder.exe Running on My PC?
gamebarftwrecorder.exe runs during screen capture or when the Game Bar services are active. It may also start with Windows if Game Bar is enabled.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Screen Recording: You started a capture; the process coordinates frame capture and encoding for the saved video.
- Background Overlay Support: The overlay components stay ready to respond to start/stop commands and mic toggles.
- Background Service Startup: Windows may start Game Bar-related services at login or when you enable Game Bar features.
- Background Tasks: Capture-related background tasks, like audio capture and device selection, may keep the process alive.
- Telemetry and Sync: Optional telemetry or sync tasks associated with capture sessions can keep the process resident.
Can I Disable or Remove gamebarftwrecorder.exe?
Yes, you can disable screen recording features. You can turn off Game Bar capture and disable related services to stop the process from running.
How to Stop gamebarftwrecorder.exe
- End Active Recording: Use Windows key + G to open Game Bar, then click Stop or use Windows key + Alt + R to stop recording.
- Disable Game Bar Recording: Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar > Turn off Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game Bar.
- Disable Background Tasks: Settings > Privacy or Windows Settings > Background apps > Disable related entries.
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Xbox Game Bar or related services.
- Confirm No Capture Run: Reboot and verify that gamebarftwrecorder.exe no longer starts in Task Manager when Game Bar is disabled.
How to Uninstall or Disable Game Bar
- ✔ Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar > Turn off Game Bar entirely
- ✔ Optional: Remove Xbox Console Companion or Game Bar dependencies via Windows Features
Common Problems: Screen Capture Issues
If gamebarftwrecorder.exe misbehaves during capture, try these fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Capture Quality Too Low: Increase resolution or frame rate settings in Game Bar; ensure hardware encoding is enabled.
- Stuttering or Frame Drops: Close other heavy apps; ensure GPU drivers are up to date; disable overlay if needed.
- Audio Not In Sync: Check mic and speaker devices in Windows sound settings; reselect devices in Game Bar.
- Recorder Not Starting: Ensure Game Bar is enabled; Run Windows Update; reset Game Bar settings.
- Disk Space or Write Permissions: Verify the save location has enough space and proper permissions; run as admin if required.
- Background Permissions: Allow Game Bar to record and access microphone in Privacy settings.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Game Bar (Win+G) and verify capture controls
2. Restart the Game Bar service from Task Manager
3. Update GPU drivers and Windows
4. Limit background apps to free up resources
5. Check available disk space and permissions for save location
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gamebarftwrecorder.exe?
gamebarftwrecorder.exe is the Windows Game Bar recorder component used for capturing gameplay and app activity. It coordinates capture, encoding, and saving of recordings.
Is gamebarftwrecorder.exe a virus?
No, when located in C:\Windows\System32 and signed by Microsoft, it's a legitimate Windows component. Always verify the path and digital signature.
Can I disable gamebarftwrecorder.exe?
Yes. You can disable Game Bar capture in Settings. This will stop the recorder from running and remove related overlay controls.
Why is gamebarftwrecorder.exe running when I’m not recording?
It may run in the background to keep overlay controls responsive or due to Windows startup of Game Bar services even when not actively recording.
Where is gamebarftwrecorder.exe located on disk?
Typically at C:\Windows\System32\gamebarftwrecorder.exe. If you see it elsewhere, verify the digital signature and path.
Does Game Bar recording affect performance?
Some impact is expected, especially on lower-end systems. Hardware acceleration and optimized encoding help minimize performance impact during capture.