Hello everyone! Today, let’s explore how to hide the Gaming section on Windows devices using Intune. If you’ve used Windows 11, you might have seen the Gaming section in the Settings app. This section includes options for the Xbox Game Bar, Captures, and Game Mode.
Game Mode on Windows is designed to prioritize system resources for gaming, ensuring that games run smoothly and efficiently. When enabled, Game Mode allocates more system resources to games, prevents Windows updates from installing drivers, stops restart notifications, and adjusts the frame rate for optimal gaming performance. This results in a more immersive and seamless gaming experience.
Despite the benefits, some organizations may want to hide the Gaming section in the Settings app for various reasons. Let’s delve into how this can be achieved using Intune.
Reasons to Hide Gaming on Windows
Hiding games on Windows 11 corporate devices may be necessary for several reasons:
- Minimizing Workplace Distractions: Gaming can be a major distraction, reducing employee productivity. By hiding games, employees can focus more on their work.
- Preserving System Resources: Games often consume significant system resources, which can lead to performance issues and affect critical tasks. Hiding games ensures that resources are available for essential business activities.
- Adhering to Corporate Policies: Some games may be banned by company policies or contain inappropriate content for the workplace. Hiding games helps maintain a professional environment and ensures compliance with these policies.
By hiding games on corporate devices, organizations can promote a productive, efficient, and policy-compliant work environment.
| App | Description |
| Xbox Game Bar | It’s a customizable gaming overlay built into Windows 10 that works with most PC games |
| Captures | It controls how you capture your game through screenshots and recording |
| Game Mode | Game Mode is a built-in Windows 11 feature to optimize your PC for digital play |
Initial Setup in Windows 11: Gaming Options
During the initial setup of Windows 11, users are presented with various options related to Gaming. This setup includes configurations for the Xbox Game Bar, Captures, and Game Mode.
Hide Gaming on Windows Devices using Intune – Configuration Policy
Step 1: Sign in to the Microsoft Intune Admin portal and navigate to Devices > Configuration profiles > Create profile >New Policy.
Step 2: After clicking on “Create Profile,” a new window will appear. In this window, set the “Platform” to “Windows 10 and later.” For the “Profile Type,” choose “Templates.” Search and select “Device Restriction“, and then click on the “Create” button to proceed.
Step 3: In the Basic section, enter a Name and Description for the configuration policy.
Step 4: In the Basic section, enter a Name and Description for the configuration policy.
Step 5: In the Configuration Settings, select the drop-down menu for “Control Panel and Setting,” then navigate to the “Gaming” section and choose “Block.”
Select “Block” and click on Next.
Step 6: Assign the policy to a group, then proceed by clicking on “Next.”
Step 7: Review the policy in the final step and click on “Create” to finish the process.
End User Experience
The Gaming Section has been successfully removed from the targeted Windows Device.
