What does the "Disable Windows Game Mode" tweak change in Windows?

In the registry it sets AllowAutoGameMode to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar, and 1 more value. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.

Is "Disable Windows Game Mode" safe to switch on?

Leave Game Mode on unless you stream from the same PC and see stutter that stops when it is off. The main cost: For most players Game Mode is neutral or slightly helpful, and it stops updates from interrupting a session. Turning it off gives that up.

Is "Disable Windows Game Mode" free in Frozen Tweaks?

It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

Windows Game Mode on or off? What AutoGameModeEnabled changes

Frost LIVEWindowsProUndo: YesUpdated Oct 8, 2026View as Markdown

Short answer

Updated Oct 8, 2026

Game Mode tells Windows a game is running: it holds back Windows Update driver installs and restart prompts and gives the game priority for processor and graphics time. AutoGameModeEnabled and AllowAutoGameMode set to 0 turn it off. In the registry it sets AllowAutoGameMode to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar, and 1 more value.

In the app

Disable Windows Game ModePRO

Registry

HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\GameBar

AllowAutoGameModeNot set0

What the switch writes. Your current value may differ. 1 more change below.

What it does

In the app the switch is called "Disable Windows Game Mode", described there as: Turns off OS Game Mode to avoid scheduler bias and frame pacing anomalies.

When it helps, and when it hurts

When it helps

The uncommon cases where Game Mode causes stutter, usually while streaming or recording, because the encoder gets less time.

When it hurts

For most players Game Mode is neutral or slightly helpful, and it stops updates from interrupting a session. Turning it off gives that up.

What it writes

Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values the switch writes.
Key and value	With the tweak	Switching it off
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\GameBarAllowAutoGameMode	0	Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides.
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\GameBarAutoGameModeEnabled	0	Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides.

From the app's source (gamemode_off.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked Oct 8, 2026.

The same change by hand

You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.

Make the change · CMD

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar" /v "AllowAutoGameMode" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar" /v "AutoGameModeEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Put it back · CMD

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar" /v "AllowAutoGameMode" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar" /v "AutoGameModeEnabled" /f

See what it is set to now · CMD

reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar" /v "AllowAutoGameMode"

How to undo it

In the app: Yes

Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. It deletes AllowAutoGameMode, AutoGameModeEnabled, so Windows uses its built-in behavior again.

Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.

Verdict

Leave Game Mode on unless you stream from the same PC and see stutter that stops when it is off.

Questions

What does the "Disable Windows Game Mode" tweak change in Windows?: In the registry it sets AllowAutoGameMode to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar, and 1 more value. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.
Is "Disable Windows Game Mode" safe to switch on?: Leave Game Mode on unless you stream from the same PC and see stutter that stops when it is off. The main cost: For most players Game Mode is neutral or slightly helpful, and it stops updates from interrupting a session. Turning it off gives that up.
How do I undo it?: Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.
Is "Disable Windows Game Mode" free in Frozen Tweaks?: It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

In the app