The .GamingRoot file is generated by Microsoft’s Xbox app on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 to identify suitable drives for game installations. It is a legitimate file, not a virus, and should not be removed. This file’s primary purpose is to assist the Xbox app in recognizing drives where games can be installed.
Contents
Where is it found?
Ordinarily, the .GamingRoot file is hidden from view, and only visible if you choose to reveal hidden files through File Explorer settings. You will find this file in the root directory of your drive, such as C:\ or D:\, not within any specific folder.
Even though the Xbox app might install games in the C:\XboxGames folder, it still places the .GamingRoot file at C:.GamingRoot.
In the Xbox app, you can check which drives are set up for game installations. Navigate to the “Settings” section by clicking on your profile, then choose the “General” category.
Under “Game Install Options,” you will find a dropdown menu displaying the list of drives with associated GamingRoot files created by the Xbox app.
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Caution
It is advised not to delete the .GamingRoot file. While it won’t cause issues if you don’t use the Xbox app or play games through it, removing the file may disrupt the launching of installed games or installing new ones for those who use the Xbox app or have Xbox Game Pass games.
The .GamingRoot file is extremely small and occupies negligible space on your system—just 28 bytes. Hence, removing it will not provide any significant disk space savings.
If you don’t want to see the file, you can hide hidden files in File Explorer once again. However, it’s worth noting that the file’s small size makes it easy to ignore.
Although not a virus, you can scan your PC using a reliable antivirus program if you are concerned about malware.
The naming convention of starting with a period (“.GamingRoot”) is derived from UNIX-like operating systems, such as Linux and macOS. In those systems, files with a leading period are hidden by default. This convention is not typical in Windows.
Conclusion
In summary, the .GamingRoot file is a legitimate file created by the Xbox app on Windows 10 and Windows 11 to identify game installation drives. It is hidden by default and should not be deleted to avoid potential issues with installed games.
Although small in size, removing it won’t free up significant disk space. Scanning for malware is recommended if you have concerns. The file’s naming convention with a leading period is common in UNIX-like systems like Linux and macOS.