GameOverlayUI.exe is an executable file that is part of the Steam software developed by Valve. This file is responsible for the Steam Overlay, a user interface that allows users to access Steam features while in a game.
The associated software, Steam, is a digital distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation. It offers digital rights management (DRM), multiplayer gaming, video streaming, and social networking services. Steam provides the user with installation and automatic updating of games, and community features such as friends lists and groups, cloud saving, and in-game voice and chat functionality.
GameOverlayUI.exe is needed for the Steam Overlay feature to function. This feature allows users to access Steam's social features, web browser, and even shop in the Steam store without having to exit their game. It is also used to show notifications, such as when a friend has logged in or when you receive a new message.
While GameOverlayUI.exe is not essential for the Windows OS, some users may choose to remove or disable it. This could be due to it causing performance issues in games, such as frame rate drops or crashes. It could also be due to privacy concerns, as the overlay can display personal information. Removing GameOverlayUI.exe will disable the Steam Overlay feature.
Description: GameOverlayUI.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. GameOverlayUI.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)" or sometimes in a subfolder of the user's profile folder—usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 385,312 bytes (29% of all occurrences), 382,752 bytes and 14 more variants.
The file is a file with no information about its developer. The program is not visible. The file is digitally signed. It is not a Windows system file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 40% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
In the event of any problems with GameOverlayUI.exe, you may also want to ask for help from Support or uninstall the associated program (Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program > Steam or Empire: Total War).
If GameOverlayUI.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 43% dangerous. The file size is 385,312 bytes (24% of all occurrences), 384,080 bytes and 12 more variants.
The program has no visible window. The GameOverlayUI.exe file is not a Windows system file. The software has no file description. The GameOverlayUI.exe file is digitally signed.
Uninstalling this variant:
In the event of any problems with GameOverlayUI.exe, you may also want to ask for help from Support or uninstall the associated program (Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program > Steam or Defiance).
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as GameOverlayUI.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the GameOverlayUI.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
Score
User Comments
This is a STEAM file used in their Steam Friends system. straferight (further information)
Steam In-Game Community Overlay TomMarvoloRiddle AKA Lord Voldemort
It is associated with steam nick
its a cheat for MW2 and its a trojan
It is the Steam ingame Community overlay. Totaly harmless. Fredrik
When playing games on steam, the shift-tab function is what the process really is. It's absolutely harmless. Lord P. Wallington the IV (further information)
Used for Steam games, harmless. Chris
It is ingame steam community overlay. John
It is what lets you press Shift+Tab whilst in a Steam game and use Steam within a game. It is totally harmless and is infact quite crucial to Steam. Ben
to open steam ingame ALT + TAB zechert
Its definitely a process for Steam, and it's no more dangerous than microsoft word. JD
I think it has to do something with a steam update A Steam User
Totally harmless, it's an official Steam overlay app. ShadowSF96
Steam Overlay when playing Steam games. Completely harmless and somewhat important. Jakeman
Steam's in-game overlay servie. Rarely breaks, completely harmless and unless you know what you're doing, dont kill the proccess. Make sure it IS the actual in-game overlay .exe though, there are some malware that disguises itself has this. Some dude from the internet.
CSGO skin stealer! ***End process immediatly!!*** Ron
It's used for the Steam Community gaming software, however a problem I had with it was that I had to open steam multiple times earlier, due to system difficulties, and it opened 3 copies of this overlay, using up 25 CPU each. Lagged my games a lot, you should check how many processes of this you have open. Anonymous
This is the program used when in-game, by pressing Shift+Tab to open to open the Steam Community page People who say it's dangerous are just being rude, if you close the program through Task Manager while in-game you will find that you can no longer use Shift+Tab (in case you don't believe me) and anyone who says this is harmful is just trying to mess with people I dont have a name
Just the Steam overlay when you're in a game. Nothing to worry about. stuffxd (further information)
roblox - massively multiplayer online + game creation system elijah
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of GameOverlayUI.exe:
based on 35 votes with 20 user comments.
14 users think GameOverlayUI.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
7 users think it's probably harmless.
8 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
One user suspects danger.
5 users think GameOverlayUI.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
2 users don't grade GameOverlayUI.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving GameOverlayUI issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with GameOverlayUI. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the GameOverlayUI.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
straferight (further information)
TomMarvoloRiddle AKA Lord Voldemort
nick
Fredrik
Lord P. Wallington the IV (further information)
Chris
John
Ben
zechert
JD
A Steam User
ShadowSF96
Jakeman
Some dude from the internet.
Ron
Anonymous
I dont have a name
stuffxd (further information)
elijah
Summary: Average user rating of GameOverlayUI.exe: based on 35 votes with 20 user comments. 14 users think GameOverlayUI.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 7 users think it's probably harmless. 8 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. One user suspects danger. 5 users think GameOverlayUI.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 2 users don't grade GameOverlayUI.exe ("not sure about it").