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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 apps Quick install this topic Explore comparisons

Quick install this topic

Three equivalent ways to set up this topic on a Windows machine. Pick one — or mix and match — based on whether you want a single command, a declarative DSC config, or per-app control.

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

Option 3

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 -e
winget install --id=Discord.Discord -e
winget install --id=EpicGames.EpicGamesLauncher -e
winget install --id=OBSProject.OBSStudio -e
winget install --id=GOG.Galaxy -e
winget install --id=Mojang.MinecraftLauncher -e
winget install --id=Blizzard.BattleNet -e
winget install --id=ElectronicArts.EADesktop -e

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.

Steam Discord Epic Games Launcher GOG GALAXY Minecraft Launcher Battle.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

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Steam Valve Corporation

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

communitycontent-deliverydistribution

v2.10.91.91 Free

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Discord Discord Inc.

Your Place to Talk and Hang Out

chatcommunitygaming

v1.0.9238 Free

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Epic Games Launcher Epic Games, Inc.

Epic Games Launcher for the Epic Games Store and Unreal Engine

distributeepicepic-games-launcher

v1.3.93.0 Free

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OBS Studio OBS Project

Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming.

fosslivelive-streaming

v32.1.2 Free

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GOG GALAXY GOG.com

All your games and friends in one place.

gamegamingstore

v2.0.98.44 Free

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Minecraft Launcher Mojang

Official launcher for Minecraft, a sandbox voxel game

gameminecraftminecraft-java

v2.0.0.0 Free

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Battle.net Setup Blizzard Entertainment

Launcher client for Blizzard games.

gamesgamingpurchase

v1.19.0.3190 Free

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EA app Electronic Arts

Play great PC games and connect with your friends, all in one place.

eaea-desktopgame

v13.709.2.6223 Free

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