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PC gaming and launchers

Use this topic when you are rebuilding a gaming PC or reinstalling the apps that usually come right after Windows: launchers, voice chat, capture, and the utilities around play sessions.

8 appsQuick install this topicExplore comparisons

Quick install this topic

Review the included apps, then run the recommended per-app commands in PowerShell. Open other installation methods if you prefer an import file or DSC configuration.

Run this command in PowerShell on Windows with App Installer (winget) available. Review installer prompts and publisher requirements before proceeding.

Review the apps below before installing. This installs the first 8 apps in this topic.

Recommended

Per-app install commands

Run only the apps you actually want. Best when you already have most of these installed and only need to top up.

winget install --id 'Valve.Steam' --exact
winget install --id 'Discord.Discord' --exact
winget install --id 'EpicGames.EpicGamesLauncher' --exact
winget install --id 'OBSProject.OBSStudio' --exact
winget install --id 'GOG.Galaxy' --exact
winget install --id 'Mojang.MinecraftLauncher' --exact
winget install --id 'Blizzard.BattleNet' --exact
winget install --id 'ElectronicArts.EADesktop' --exact
Other installation methods
Option 1

Batch install with winget import

One copy-paste, no manual download. The command below pulls topic-pc-gaming-and-launchers.packages.json from winpkg.com and runs winget import on it. Best for moving an app set between machines.

$f = "$env:TEMP\topic-pc-gaming-and-launchers.packages.json"; Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing -Uri "https://winpkg.com/topics/pc-gaming-and-launchers/packages.json" -OutFile $f; winget import -i $f

Run in PowerShell. Saves to %TEMP% and runs winget on it.

Already downloaded the file? Use the short command
winget import -i topic-pc-gaming-and-launchers.packages.json
Option 2

Declarative setup with winget configure

One copy-paste, no manual download. The command below pulls topic-pc-gaming-and-launchers.winget from winpkg.com and applies it with winget configure. Best for repeatable dev-box bootstrap and onboarding scripts.

$f = "$env:TEMP\topic-pc-gaming-and-launchers.winget"; Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing -Uri "https://winpkg.com/topics/pc-gaming-and-launchers/topic.winget" -OutFile $f; winget configure $f

Tip: on Windows with App Installer, double-clicking a downloaded .winget file runs winget configure on it automatically — no terminal needed.

Already downloaded the file? Use the short command
winget configure topic-pc-gaming-and-launchers.winget

Focused install options in this topic

Smaller install flows, kept inside Topics
Gaming quick setup

Gaming Setup

A reinstall-friendly Windows gaming setup for launchers, voice chat, and the utilities that usually come right after a new machine build.

Gaming PCsFresh rigsLauncher-heavy reinstalls
Skip repetitive launcher installs and get back to playing faster.
SteamDiscordEpic Games LauncherGOG GALAXYMinecraft LauncherBattle.net Setup

Why this topic matters

  • •Useful right after building or resetting a gaming PC
  • •Combines launchers, voice chat, and capture tools in one topic
  • •Good starting point when you want the play stack back fast

Apps in this topic

Compare related apps →
Steam icon
SteamValve Corporation

Steam is the ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games.

communitycontent-deliverydistribution
v2.10.91.91Proprietary
Details →