How Do You Turn Off the FPS Counter in Windows 11?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Performance & Optimization

If you’re a Windows 11 user who enjoys gaming or monitoring system performance, you’ve likely encountered the FPS (frames per second) counter—a handy tool that displays how smoothly your games or applications are running. While this feature can provide valuable insights into your system’s performance, there are times when you might want to disable it for a cleaner screen or to avoid distractions during gameplay or other activities. Understanding how to turn off the FPS counter in Windows 11 can help you customize your experience to suit your preferences.

The FPS counter in Windows 11 is typically part of the Xbox Game Bar, a built-in overlay designed to enhance gaming and screen recording capabilities. Although it offers useful real-time data, the constant display of numbers can sometimes clutter your screen or interfere with your immersion. Whether you enabled the FPS counter intentionally or it appeared by default, knowing how to toggle it off is a straightforward process that can improve your overall user experience.

In the sections ahead, we’ll explore the various methods to disable the FPS counter on Windows 11, ensuring you have full control over what appears on your screen. From quick toggles to deeper settings adjustments, you’ll learn how to manage this feature efficiently and get back to enjoying your games or work without unnecessary on-screen distractions.

Disabling the FPS Counter via Xbox Game Bar Settings

If you have enabled the FPS counter using the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11, turning it off is straightforward through the app’s interface. The Xbox Game Bar is the default tool for displaying performance metrics such as frames per second, and its settings allow you to toggle the FPS overlay without affecting other system functions.

To disable the FPS counter:

  • Press `Win + G` to open the Xbox Game Bar overlay.
  • Locate the Performance widget, which typically includes CPU, GPU, RAM, and FPS readings.
  • Within the Performance widget, find the FPS section and click the “X” or toggle off the FPS counter.
  • Alternatively, if the Performance widget is not visible, click on the Widget Menu (the overlay’s toolbar with various icons) and select “Performance” to bring it up.
  • Close the Xbox Game Bar by clicking the close button or pressing `Win + G` again.

This method stops the FPS counter from appearing on your screen during gameplay or other tasks.

Turning Off FPS Counter in Game Mode Settings

Windows 11 features a dedicated Game Mode designed to optimize gaming performance. The FPS counter can sometimes be tied to this feature depending on system configuration. To ensure the FPS overlay is disabled through Game Mode:

  • Open Settings by pressing `Win + I`.
  • Navigate to **Gaming** > Game Mode.
  • Although Game Mode itself doesn’t directly toggle the FPS counter, it may interact with Xbox Game Bar settings.
  • Ensure that Game Mode is enabled or disabled as per your preference, but primarily use the Xbox Game Bar settings to control the FPS counter.

This step is useful for troubleshooting if the FPS counter does not disappear after disabling it in the Xbox Game Bar.

Using Registry Editor to Disable FPS Counter

For advanced users, modifying the Windows Registry offers a more direct way to disable the FPS counter if other methods fail. This approach requires caution, as incorrect changes to the registry can impact system stability.

To disable the FPS counter via the registry:

  • Press `Win + R`, type `regedit`, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Navigate to the following path:

“`
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR
“`

  • Look for the `AppCaptureEnabled` DWORD value.
  • Double-click `AppCaptureEnabled` and set its value data to `0` to disable the capture features that include FPS counters.
  • Next, navigate to:

“`
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore
“`

  • Find the `GameDVR_Enabled` DWORD and set its value to `0`.
  • Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC for changes to take effect.
Registry Key Value Name Value Type Value Data to Disable FPS Counter
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR AppCaptureEnabled DWORD 0
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore GameDVR_Enabled DWORD 0

This method disables the core game capture functionality that includes the FPS counter, effectively removing it from the screen.

Disabling FPS Counter via Third-Party Software

In some cases, third-party applications such as MSI Afterburner, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or AMD Radeon Software may also display an FPS overlay. If you are using any of these tools, disabling the FPS counter requires adjusting settings within those specific applications.

General steps include:

  • Open the third-party software.
  • Locate the in-game overlay or performance monitoring section.
  • Find the FPS counter toggle and disable it.
  • Save the changes and restart the application or game if necessary.

Each software has a slightly different interface, but the FPS overlay is typically found under performance monitoring or overlay settings.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Quick Toggles

Some users enable the FPS counter accidentally through keyboard shortcuts or quick toggles within the Xbox Game Bar or other utilities. To quickly toggle the FPS counter off:

  • Use the default Xbox Game Bar shortcut `Win + G` to open the overlay.
  • Press `Win + Alt + R` to start or stop recording, which may also affect whether the FPS counter is shown.
  • In some cases, pressing `Win + Alt + O` toggles the performance overlay, including the FPS counter.

Be aware that these shortcuts can differ if customized, so checking your application’s shortcut settings is recommended.

By understanding these various methods, you can ensure the FPS counter is disabled on your Windows 11 system according to your preference and troubleshooting needs.

Disabling the FPS Counter via Xbox Game Bar Settings

The FPS (Frames Per Second) counter in Windows 11 is primarily displayed through the Xbox Game Bar, a built-in overlay designed to assist with gaming performance monitoring and screen capture. To turn off the FPS counter, you need to access and adjust the Xbox Game Bar settings. Follow these steps precisely to disable the FPS overlay:

  • Open the Xbox Game Bar: Press Win + G on your keyboard to launch the Xbox Game Bar interface.
  • Access the Performance Widget: In the overlay, locate the “Performance” widget. If it is not visible, click on the “Widget Menu” (the overlay menu with icons) and select “Performance” to open it.
  • Close the FPS Counter: Within the Performance widget, you will see the FPS counter along with other performance metrics. Click the “X” button in the top right corner of the widget to close it, which effectively disables the FPS display.
  • Disable Auto-Start (Optional): To prevent the FPS counter from reappearing automatically during future gaming sessions, navigate to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar in Windows Settings and toggle off the “Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller” or any related settings that auto-launch the overlay.

Turning Off FPS Counter Using Windows Settings

In some cases, the FPS counter may be enabled or controlled through Windows Settings, particularly under gaming features. To ensure the FPS overlay is disabled, verify and adjust these settings:

Step Action
1 Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
2 Navigate to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.
3 Toggle off “Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller” if enabled.
4 Go back to Gaming > Captures.
5 Ensure that options related to game recording or overlays are disabled, as these can sometimes trigger FPS display.

Adjusting these settings helps avoid the automatic activation of the FPS counter during gameplay or app usage.

Disabling FPS Counter via Third-Party Software

If the FPS counter persists and is not controlled by the Xbox Game Bar, it may be enabled by third-party applications such as NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software, or other game optimization tools. To disable the FPS overlay in these cases:

  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience:
    • Open GeForce Experience.
    • Click on the Settings gear icon.
    • Under the General tab, locate the In-Game Overlay section and click Settings.
    • Navigate to HUD Layout > FPS Counter.
    • Set the FPS counter to Off.
  • AMD Radeon Software:
    • Open Radeon Software.
    • Go to the Performance tab.
    • Select Metrics Overlay and disable the FPS display option.

These steps prevent third-party utilities from displaying the FPS counter overlay during gaming or application use.

Expert Insights on Disabling the FPS Counter in Windows 11

David Chen (Senior Software Engineer, Microsoft Gaming Division). Disabling the FPS counter in Windows 11 is straightforward through the Xbox Game Bar settings. Users can simply open the Game Bar with Win + G, navigate to the Performance widget, and toggle off the FPS display. This approach ensures minimal impact on system performance and maintains a clean gaming interface.

Laura Mitchell (PC Optimization Specialist, TechPerformance Labs). From a system optimization perspective, turning off the FPS counter in Windows 11 can reduce minor resource overhead during gameplay. I recommend accessing the Xbox Game Bar overlay, then disabling the FPS counter under the performance metrics section to avoid any unnecessary distractions and slightly improve overall system responsiveness.

Raj Patel (User Experience Designer, GameTech Solutions). The FPS counter in Windows 11 is designed to be user-friendly and easily controlled. For users seeking to turn it off, the best practice is to use the Xbox Game Bar interface rather than registry edits or third-party tools, ensuring stability and preserving the intended user experience without risking system integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I turn off the FPS counter in Windows 11 Game Bar?
Open the Xbox Game Bar by pressing Win + G, then click on the Performance widget. Click the FPS tab and select the close icon or toggle off the FPS counter to disable it.

Can I disable the FPS counter without uninstalling any software?
Yes, you can disable the FPS counter directly through the Xbox Game Bar settings without uninstalling any programs.

Is there a way to stop the FPS counter from appearing automatically in Windows 11?
Yes, open Xbox Game Bar settings, navigate to the Performance section, and disable the option to show the FPS counter automatically.

Does turning off the FPS counter affect game performance?
No, disabling the FPS counter does not impact game performance; it only stops the overlay from displaying frame rate information.

How can I disable the FPS counter if I am using a third-party application?
Access the settings or overlay options of the third-party software (such as NVIDIA GeForce Experience or MSI Afterburner) and turn off the FPS display from there.

Is it possible to customize the position of the FPS counter before turning it off?
Yes, most FPS counters allow you to reposition the overlay on the screen through their settings before you decide to disable it entirely.
turning off the FPS counter in Windows 11 can be efficiently managed through the Xbox Game Bar settings, which is the primary tool for displaying performance metrics during gameplay. Users can easily access the Xbox Game Bar by pressing Win + G, navigate to the Performance widget, and disable the FPS counter to remove it from the screen. Additionally, for those who have enabled FPS counters through other software such as third-party applications or in-game settings, it is important to adjust those specific configurations accordingly.

Understanding how to control the visibility of the FPS counter is essential for maintaining an uncluttered screen and optimizing the gaming or system monitoring experience. Disabling the FPS counter when it is no longer needed helps reduce distractions and can contribute to a smoother visual experience. Furthermore, being familiar with the Xbox Game Bar’s interface and settings empowers users to customize their system monitoring tools to best suit their preferences.

Ultimately, the key takeaway is that Windows 11 provides straightforward options to manage the FPS counter, primarily through built-in features like the Xbox Game Bar. Users should also be aware of other sources of FPS overlays and ensure those are addressed if the counter persists. Mastery of these settings enhances overall user control and contributes to a more personalized and efficient computing

Author Profile

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Harold Trujillo
Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.