Gaming Services
Gaming Services supplies background services and a user-interface component for the Microsoft Gaming Runtime.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Identifier: Microsoft.GamingServices
Setup Foundry removes the package for existing user accounts and from provisioning for new accounts only when this option is selected; it remains installed by default.
Gaming Services supplies background services and a user-interface component for the Microsoft Gaming Runtime. Games distributed through Microsoft Store or the Xbox app can use this runtime for functions such as installation management, Xbox services, cloud game saves, store operations, game invitations, and standardized gaming dialogs.
It is a supporting component rather than a stand-alone game application. The Xbox app or a game that depends on the Gaming Runtime invokes its components when required.
Notes
Additional effects
Some games delivered through the Xbox app, PC Game Pass, or Microsoft Store require Gaming Services to install or launch. PC games that do not use the Gaming Runtime do not depend on this package.
Microsoft.GamingServices delivers the Gaming Runtime Services used for work outside the game process and the Game Runtime UI App. The Gaming Runtime client loaded into a game process is delivered separately in Microsoft.GamingRuntime.
Privacy and security
The data handled or transferred through the runtime depends on the game and the features it uses. For online features, the Gaming Runtime can participate in requests to Xbox services, Microsoft Store, or services operated or selected by the game publisher. Connected Storage transfers game-save data to cloud storage when a title uses that feature.
Installing the package does not mean that every supported data flow is active. Processing is initiated by a game or related application using a particular runtime feature. Removing the package prevents its components from handling further requests while absent, but it does not delete cloud saves or other data already stored with a Microsoft account or game publisher.
Effects of the change
Removing the package makes the Gaming Runtime Services and their user-interface component unavailable. Games with no dependency on Gaming Services continue to work. Titles that require the package may instead show effects such as:
- A game failing to launch from the Xbox app or an existing shortcut.
- Installation or management failures for certain Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass games.
- A message in the Xbox app stating that an additional component is required, or a redirection to the Gaming Services page in Microsoft Store.
- Loss of Gaming Runtime features used by the title, such as cloud-save access, store dialogs, or Xbox-related user interfaces.
Removing Gaming Services does not by itself uninstall the Xbox app or installed games. It also does not remove shortcuts or file associations owned by those applications, although a remaining shortcut may no longer start a dependent game successfully.
Gaming Services can be obtained again from Microsoft Store while Microsoft continues to offer it there. The Xbox app may also request installation when it detects that the dependency is missing.
Notes
On Windows PCs, the Gaming Runtime is delivered as a separately serviced Microsoft Store package. Microsoft identifies Windows 10 version 1903 (19H1) as the minimum Windows release for PC games that use the Gaming Runtime.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: Gaming Runtime glossary
Microsoft Learn: Testing packages on a development PC
Microsoft Support: Error when installing or starting Gaming Services
Microsoft Store: Gaming Services