Counter-Strike launch commands let you customize how the game starts on your PC. Whether you play CS2 or the original CS:GO, these commands help you optimize performance, adjust visual settings, and fine-tune your experience before you even join a match.
- How to set launch commands in CS2 / CS:GO
- Step 1: Open Steam and go to Properties
- Step 2: Find the Launch Options field
- Step 3: Enter your commands
- Best CS2 / CS:GO launch commands
- -console
- -novid
- -tickrate 128
- -refreshrate / -refresh / -freq
- -language
- -high
- -nod3d9ex1
- +mat_queue_mode 2
- -threads
- -windowed / -window / -sw / -startwindowed
- -full / -fullscreen
- -w and -h
- -noborder
- Recommended CS2 launch options
This guide covers the most useful launch commands for Counter-Strike. Most of these commands work in both CS:GO and Counter-Strike 2. We explain what each command does and how to set them up properly.
How to set launch commands in CS2 / CS:GO
Setting launch commands is simple. Follow these three steps and you will be ready to optimize your game in under a minute.
Step 1: Open Steam and go to Properties
Open your Steam Library. Right-click on Counter-Strike 2 (or CS:GO) and select Properties from the menu.
Step 2: Find the Launch Options field
In the Properties window, look under the General tab. You will see a text field labeled Launch Options near the bottom of the window.
Step 3: Enter your commands
Type your desired launch commands into the field. Separate each command with a space. Close the window and launch the game. Your settings will apply automatically.
Best CS2 / CS:GO launch commands
Here is the complete list of the most useful launch commands for Counter-Strike. We recommend combining several of these for the best experience.
-console
This command enables the developer console when you launch the game. You can also enable the console through the keyboard and mouse settings in-game, but using the launch command guarantees it is available from the first moment.
-novid
Removes the intro video that plays when the game starts. This saves 5 to 10 seconds every time you launch Counter-Strike. It is one of the most popular launch commands for a reason. Every player should use this one.
-tickrate 128
Sets the tick rate to 128 when you host a local server. This is useful for practicing with friends or warming up in your own lobby. Official matchmaking servers use their own tick rate, but 128 tick provides smoother gameplay in custom lobbies.
-refreshrate / -refresh / -freq
These commands let you set a specific monitor refresh rate. Use them if you own a high-refresh-rate monitor (144Hz, 240Hz, or higher). Set the value to match your monitor’s native refresh rate. Running a rate higher than your monitor supports can cause display issues. Check out our list of games that support 144Hz for more information.
-language
Launches the game in your chosen language. This saves you from digging through the in-game settings menu to change languages later.
-high
Sets the game process to High CPU priority. This can help reduce stuttering and improve frame rates on lower-end computers. The improvement is not guaranteed on every system, but many players report smoother gameplay with this command enabled.
-nod3d9ex1
Disables the DirectX 9 ex mode. If you frequently alt-tab out of the game, this command makes switching between windows faster and reduces lag during the transition.
+mat_queue_mode 2
Sets the material queue mode to multi-threaded. This helps your CPU distribute rendering tasks across multiple cores. It is especially helpful for dual-core and quad-core processors. This command can give you a noticeable FPS boost on most systems.
-threads
Tells the game how many CPU threads to use. For example, if your CPU has 6 cores and 12 threads, you might use -threads 12. Use a value that matches your processor’s thread count for the best results.
-windowed / -window / -sw / -startwindowed
Launches Counter-Strike in windowed mode. This is useful for streamers who need to access other windows while playing. If you stream with OBS, check out our guide on the top 5 OBS plugins to improve your stream quality.
-full / -fullscreen
Forces the game to launch in fullscreen mode. Use this if the game keeps reverting to windowed or borderless mode on startup.
-w and -h
Sets a custom resolution. Combine these to launch the game at a specific width and height. For example, -w 1920 -h 1080 launches the game at 1080p resolution. This is useful for players who want a specific resolution that differs from their desktop settings.
-noborder
Runs the game in borderless windowed mode. This combines the quick alt-tab advantages of windowed mode with the full-screen appearance. Many competitive players prefer this setup for faster multitasking.
Recommended CS2 launch options
Here is a recommended combination of launch commands for most players:
-novid -tickrate 128 -high +mat_queue_mode 2 +fps_max 0 -nojoy -d3d9ex
Adjust the refresh rate and thread count based on your specific hardware. If you have a 144Hz monitor, add -freq 144. If you have a 6-core CPU, add -threads 6.
For more gaming guides and tips, browse our Gaming category. You might also enjoy our guide on the best attachments for the M416 in PUBG or our breakdown of whether Valorant will be officially supported by FACEIT.
