GameBarNull

A complete installation package that permanently and silently replaces the Xbox Game Bar ms-gamebar:// protocol handler. When any game or Windows component triggers the scheme, the tiny handler receives it, does nothing, and exits — no UI, no balloon, no "Get an app to open this" dialog.

Package contents

GameBarNull\
├── dist\                    ← distribute this folder (or zip it)
│   ├── Setup.exe            ← double-click to install
│   ├── Uninstaller.exe      ← also registered in Add / Remove Programs
│   └── GameBarNull.exe      ← the actual silent protocol handler (3.5 KB)
├── src\
│   ├── Setup.cs             ← installer source
│   ├── Uninstaller.cs       ← uninstaller source
│   └── admin-manifest.xml   ← UAC requireAdministrator manifest
├── GameBarNull.cs           ← protocol handler source
├── Build.ps1                ← compiles all three exes (no SDK needed)
└── README.md

Installing

1. Open the dist\ folder.
2. Double-click Setup.exe — Windows will show a UAC prompt; click Yes.
3. The installer copies files to %ProgramFiles%\GameBarNull\, registers the ms-gamebar protocol handler, and adds an entry to Add / Remove Programs.

Setup backs up the original registry handler before overwriting it.

Uninstalling

Option A — Add / Remove Programs (recommended)

Open Settings → Apps (or Control Panel → Programs), find GameBarNull, and click Uninstall.

Option B — Run Uninstaller.exe directly

Run %ProgramFiles%\GameBarNull\Uninstaller.exe (or from dist\ before installation).

Option C — Silent / scripted

"%ProgramFiles%\GameBarNull\Uninstaller.exe" /silent

On uninstall the original ms-gamebar handler is restored (if one existed). Uninstaller.exe itself is scheduled for deletion on the next restart (Windows MoveFileEx / PendingFileRenameOperations).

Rebuilding from source

No .NET SDK is needed — the compiler ships with Windows:

.\Build.ps1

Output lands in dist\.

How it works

Windows resolves ms-gamebar:// URIs via HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\ms-gamebar\shell\open\command. Setup.exe points that key to GameBarNull.exe "%1". GameBarNull.exe starts, ignores the argument, and exits — total runtime ~1 ms, zero visible effect on the user.