Will it run? Checking a PC game against Windows, Mac and Linux

Few gaming disappointments are as avoidable as downloading a large game and finding it will not run, or runs badly. This guide shows how to read a game's system requirements, where to find your own computer's specification on Windows and on a Mac, why Linux support needs a separate check, and how to download an installer without picking up something unwanted.

Operating system support is a yes-or-no question

Games are built and tested for particular operating systems. A vendor that supports Windows and macOS has made a version for each. A vendor that does not list Linux has not made one, or does not support it. People sometimes run Windows games on other systems with compatibility layers, but that is unsupported territory. It can break with any update, may conflict with a game's anti-cheat or terms, and leaves you with nowhere to turn when it fails. We do not recommend it, and where a game is described as not available for a system, we take that at face value.

Reading a requirements list

Most vendors publish two sets of figures. The minimum is the lowest specification on which the game will start and be playable, usually at reduced settings. The recommended specification is what the developer suggests for the experience they intended. If your computer sits between the two, the game will probably run, but you may need to lower graphics quality or resolution.

The figures usually cover four things:

• Processor. Often listed by model. Comparing different generations is not always obvious. If you are unsure, the vendor's support pages or community forums may say whether a particular model works.
• Memory (RAM). Usually given in gigabytes. Your system information shows how much you have. Other programs running at the same time use some of it, so close a heavy browser session before you play.
• Graphics. The figure most likely to limit older or thinner laptops. Integrated graphics may meet a minimum where a recommended level asks for a dedicated card.
• Storage. The space the installed game needs, which may grow with updates. Leave a generous margin, because a nearly full drive slows the whole computer.

Laptops, desktops and the network

Online games depend on your connection as well as your computer. A wired connection is usually steadier than wireless. If you must use wireless, sitting closer to the router helps. Laptops may lower performance on battery to save power, so plug in for long sessions. Keep vents clear, because a laptop that overheats will slow itself down.

Desktop only means desktop only

Some games and some offers apply only to desktop computers. If a game is described as desktop only, phones and tablets are not part of it, even where a similarly named app exists. Check the platform before you assume that progress or an offer carries across devices.

Downloading the installer safely

1. Go to the source

   Use the developer's own website or a large store you already trust. Type the address yourself, or use a bookmark you created, rather than following links in messages.

2. Check the address before you download

   Look closely at the web address. Lookalike domains with an extra letter or a different ending are a common trick.

3. Let your operating system check the file

   Windows and macOS check downloaded software and may warn you about an unknown publisher. Take that warning seriously. A game from its genuine developer will normally be signed and recognised.

4. Read the installer screens

   Installers sometimes offer optional extras. Untick anything you did not come for.

5. Keep it updated through the official route

   Let the game's launcher handle updates. Patches offered by third parties are unnecessary at best.

Updates, storage and the long term

An online game is not a one-off download. Expect regular updates, some of them large, which the launcher will usually fetch before you can play. Plan for this in three ways. Leave plenty of free storage beyond the stated installed size. Allow time before a session you have arranged with friends, in case an update is waiting. If you use a metered or limited connection, check how much data updates use and schedule them for when it suits you. Over a year or two, a game's requirements can also rise. A computer that met the recommended specification at the start may drift towards the minimum.

Mac-specific points

Apple has used more than one type of processor in Macs over the years, and a game's support may differ between them. The About This Mac window shows which your computer has. Check that against the vendor's requirements, not just the macOS version. macOS may also ask for permission the first time a game uses the network, or tries to record the screen or microphone for in-game chat. Grant only what you need. You can change any of these permissions later in System Settings, under Privacy and Security.

When performance disappoints

If a game runs but stutters, try these in order. Update your graphics driver from the manufacturer's site. Close other programs. Lower the in-game resolution or quality preset. Check that a laptop is plugged in and set to a performance power mode. If none of that helps and your computer only just meets the minimum, the honest answer may be that the game wants more than the machine has. That is far better found out in an afternoon than after weeks of play or any spending.

Where to get help with security on a home computer

For general advice on keeping a home computer secure, the National Cyber Security Centre publishes guidance for individuals and families, including on updates and software downloads. It is general guidance rather than advice about any particular game, and it is a sound baseline.