How to Set Launch Options in CSGO (CS2)
Launch options help players optimize their game performance, enhance FPS, and customize other gameplay settings. Though it may sound complex to new players, launch options are extremely easy to understand and apply.
In this guide, we’ll explain what launch options are, walk you through the entire process of setting them up, and also recommend some of the best launch options to get you started with.
What Are Launch Options In CS2?
Launch options in CS2 are additional commands that players can set through their Steam client to modify how the game acts when it is launched.
There are dozens of launch options to go through, but most are used to customize in-game settings and boost performance. Some examples of useful launch options include setting higher tick rates, improving FPS, and setting CS2 to higher priority for a better gaming experience.
Launch options are completely free to use, and you can set as many as you’d like. Similar to regular CS2 settings, launch options can also be disabled and changed at any time.
How To Set Launch Options In CS2
Setting your desired launch options in CS2 is much easier than it sounds. It is done directly through the Steam desktop client, not the game itself.
Follow these steps below to navigate to the launch options section:
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Open your Steam desktop client.
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Head over to your Steam Library where all your games are listed.
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Right-click Counter-Strike 2.
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Hit the “Properties” button.
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In the “General” section, look for “Launch Options”.
You will notice a text box now that you’ve made it here. In this text box, you will input the launch options you would like to use. You can enter multiple launch options; simply separate them with a space.
Best Launch Options For CS2
Now, you’re probably wondering what launch options you should be using to enhance your CS2 gameplay. Here is a list of useful launch options and what they do:
| Launch Option | Function |
| +fps_max 400 | Changes the maximum FPS you can get in game. Set the value to 0 to remove the limit. |
| -novid | Disables the annoying intro video every time you launch Counter-Strike 2. |
| -nojoy | Disables joystick support, which can help improve the game’s performance slightly. |
| -console | Allows you to enable the developer console and open it by pressing the “~” key. |
| -fullscreen | Forces the game to run in fullscreen mode at all times, often leading to better performance. |
| -high | Sets CS2 to high CPU priority, leading to a high increase in FPS performance. |
| -tickrate 128 | Changes the default tickrate from 64 to 128 tick. However, it only works in private lobbies. |
| -refresh 144 | Sets the refresh rate of Counter-Strike to the specified value. Change the value to your monitor’s supported refresh rate. |
| +r_drawparticles 0 | Removes small particle effects which can lead to a slight increase in FPS performance. |
| +violence_hblood 0 | Removes blood and blood splatters from the game. Good for young audiences but can also improve FPS performance. |
| -softparticlesdefaultoff | Removes softer particle effects and small graphical details. Will result in a slight improvement in FPS. |
| +r_dynamic 0 | Disables dynamic lighting from the game, often allowing you to get better FPS performance. |
| +exec autoexec.cfg | Executes your autoexec config file by default every time you launch Counter-Strike. |
Example Of Using Launch Options
Here is a quick example of how you would input launch options into the text box provided.
For this example, we are going to use the following options:
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-novid
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-refresh 144
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+fps_max 400
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-console
If we were to use these four launch options, here is how the input would look like:
| -novid -refresh 144 +fps_max 400 -console |
Remember that you can input as many launch options as you’d like! There is no limit to how many you can use simultaneously.