> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Protocol Element (MicrosoftGame.config)

> MicrosoftGame.config Element - Protocol

Specifies a custom protocol that can be used to launch the game or bring the game into the
foreground if it were already running.

## Parent

This element's parent is the ProtocolList element.

## Requirement

This element is optional and is not required to be set.

## Platform

This element pertains to PC and Console.

## Behavior

* Attributes are:
  * Name - Required and must satisfy the following:
    * Contains only lowercase alphanumeric characters and/or hyphens
    * A minimum of at least 3 characters in length
    * A maximum length of 39 characters
  * Executable - optional. If not specified, will default to the default executable in the
    ExecutableList. If including a path, it should use a backward slash as the separator.

## See Also

[MicrosoftGame.config Reference - Table of Contents](https://docs.xbox.com/reference/system/microsoftgameconfig/elements/gc-microsoftgameconfig-toc.md)


## Related topics

- [MicrosoftGame.config element reference (contents)](https://docs.xbox.com/reference/system/microsoftgameconfig/elements/gc-microsoftgameconfig-toc.md)
- [MultiplayerProtocol Element (MicrosoftGame.config)](https://docs.xbox.com/reference/system/microsoftgameconfig/elements/microsoftgameconfig-element-multiplayerprotocol.md)
- [ProtocolList Element (MicrosoftGame.config)](https://docs.xbox.com/reference/system/microsoftgameconfig/elements/microsoftgameconfig-element-protocollist.md)
- [DesktopRegistration Element (MicrosoftGame.config)](https://docs.xbox.com/reference/system/microsoftgameconfig/elements/microsoftgameconfig-element-desktopregistration.md)
- [MicrosoftGame.config additional reference](https://docs.xbox.com/reference/system/microsoftgameconfig/microsoftgameconfig-schema.md)