Disabling gaming overlays - Short guide

[IQandHDR]

Since I am a gamer, not a steamer I thought this might be useful to make a short guide on how to disable all the "game bars" that want to run when you game.

Microsoft Game Bar
Windows 10 -> Settings -> Gaming -> "Game Bar" switch: OFF
Windows 11 -> Settings > System Components -> Advanced options -> Background component permissions: NEVER
EXTRA:
Settings -> Gaming -> Game Bar - > Allow your controller to open Game Bar: OFF

Steam Overlay
Steam -> View -> Settings -> In-Game -> Enable the Steam overlay while in-game: UNCHECK

AMD Overlay
Radeon Software -> Settings -> Preferences -> In-Game Overlay: DISABLE

Intel Overlay
Intel Control Center -> Performance - In-Game Overlay: OFF

NVIDIA Overlay
NVIDIA App -> Settings -> Features -> NVIDIA Overlay: OFF

I do not need up to 3 overlays running when I play a game, and I figure most other people do not either.

 

[homerdog]

Since I am a gamer, not a steamer I thought this might be useful to make a short guide on how to disable all the "game bars" that want to run when you game.

Microsoft Game Bar
Windows 10 -> Settings -> Gaming -> "Game Bar" switch: OFF
Windows 11 -> Settings > System Components -> Advanced options -> Background component permissions: NEVER
EXTRA:
Settings -> Gaming -> Game Bar - > Allow your controller to open Game Bar: OFF

Steam Overlay
Steam -> View -> Settings -> In-Game -> Enable the Steam overlay while in-game: UNCHECK

AMD Overlay
Radeon Software -> Settings -> Preferences -> In-Game Overlay: DISABLE

Intel Overlay
Intel Control Center -> Performance - In-Game Overlay: OFF

NVIDIA Overlay
NVIDIA App -> Settings -> Features -> NVIDIA Overlay: OFF

I do not need up to 3 overlays running when I play a game, and I figure most other people do not either.

I want a single overlay that will tell me stuff like fps, RAM/VRAM use, GPU/CPU use etc. Right now I have to use the NV overlay for FPS and the MS game bar for VRAM and stuff. Is there a single overlay that can do all of this? Maybe it's available now in the NV App and I can't find it.

 

[IQandHDR]

I want a single overlay that will tell me stuff like fps, RAM/VRAM use, GPU/CPU use etc. Right now I have to use the NV overlay for FPS and the MS game bar for VRAM and stuff. Is there a single overlay that can do all of this? Maybe it's available now in the NV App and I can't find it.

Tried Intel's PresentMon?

Intel® Arc™ Graphics – PresentMon – Intel Gaming Access

game.intel.com

That is the tool that help me isolate Indiana Jones and FG issues

 

[Scott_Arm]

Tried Intel's PresentMon?

Intel® Arc™ Graphics – PresentMon – Intel Gaming Access

game.intel.com

That is the tool that help me isolate Indiana Jones and FG issues

I like to use nvidia overlay to quickly check gpu utilization but I may just disable all overlays and use PresentMon when I want a close look. It’s a great tool.

 

[homerdog]

I like to use nvidia overlay to quickly check gpu utilization but I may just disable all overlays and use PresentMon when I want a close look. It’s a great tool.

Is there a way to make the NV overlay show vram use? That's the only thing I'm missing with it.

 

[Scott_Arm]

Is there a way to make the NV overlay show vram use? That's the only thing I'm missing with it.

Nope.

 

[homerdog]

Nope.

That's annoying. With all their resources they could at least put a little line of text in there that says "VRAM: Not Enough Sucka".

 

[Malo]

That's annoying. With all their resources they could at least put a little line of text in there that says "VRAM: Not Enough Sucka".

That would be counter productive to selling GPUs with low VRAM sizes.

 

[Davros]

I like to use nvidia overlay to quickly check gpu utilization

Silly question but why?

 

[Scott_Arm]

Silly question but why?

I have a 240Hz monitor. I generally lower settings until I get as much fps as I can, but I do like to stay gpu limited, or frame capped. Frame times are generally smoother if you're gpu-limited. So I'll lower settings to get my fps really high, and then increase them until I'm just gpu-limited. If Nvidia-Reflex is supported that works really nicely. If it's not, I'll push the settings just until I hit 98-100% gpu and then I'll set a frame cap that keeps me around 95% gpu.

 

[Malo]

I have a 240Hz monitor. I generally lower settings until I get as much fps as I can, but I do like to stay gpu limited, or frame capped. Frame times are generally smoother if you're gpu-limited. So I'll lower settings to get my fps really high, and then increase them until I'm just gpu-limited. If Nvidia-Reflex is supported that works really nicely. If it's not, I'll push the settings just until I hit 98-100% gpu and then I'll set a frame cap that keeps me around 95% gpu.

Is the experience at 120hz significantly noticeable compared to 240Hz that you'll reduce the game settings to Space Quest CGA?

 

[Scott_Arm]

Is the experience at 120hz significantly noticeable compared to 240Hz that you'll reduce the game settings to Space Quest CGA?

240Hz is definitely noticeably smoother, but 120 Hz is what I aim for if I’m playing a game that’s more about the visuals.

 

[Davros]

Any help to anyone
real time monitoring causing stuttering