Launch options are the extra arguments you type into the Steam launch options field for Counter-Strike 2. They run before the game starts, which makes them the one place to set things the in-game menus do not expose. This post covers where the field is, how the syntax works, what Valve's own documentation lists, and what a long-running community guide adds on top.
Where the field is
Open Steam, go to Library, right click Counter-Strike 2, then Properties. Under the General tab there is a Launch Options box. Type the options into that box, separated by spaces, and restart the game for them to take effect. The box accepts only letters, numbers and the characters +, - and _ . Quotes and other punctuation cause problems, and an option without a leading + or - is usually the one that breaks the whole line.
The syntax
Valve's developer documentation explains the two prefixes. Arguments traditionally start with a hyphen (-). Console commands and console variables use a plus (+) instead, and those run as soon as the engine starts. Every Valve engine inherits that convention.
What Valve's official page lists
The Source 2 command line options page is Valve's own documentation, and it is short. It carries an unresolved note at the top asking for confirmation of whether the options are specific to Dota 2, Half-Life: Alyx or Counter-Strike 2, and whether they work. Treat it as a partial list rather than a complete one.
The entries it does list:
- -width and -w : forces the engine to start at that width. The page marks these as Counter-Strike 2 only.
- -x and -y : window position on the X and Y axis. Also marked Counter-Strike 2 only.
- -window, -windowed, -startwindowed or -sw : starts the game in a regular window.
- -dx9 and -gl : deprecated entries that force the Direct3D 9 or OpenGL renderer.
- -tickrate : sets the game tick interval. The page states that in Counter-Strike 2 Valve hardcoded the game to 64 tick with subticks at launch, so this does nothing.
Total CS keeps a CS2 launch options list that runs much longer than Valve's page. Its recommendations:
- +fps_max 0 : removes the FPS cap that is on by default.
- -nojoy : removes joystick support, which may free a little RAM.
- -console : enables the developer console at startup.
- -fullscreen : starts the game fullscreen instead of windowed.
- -high : raises the game process priority. Total CS warns this can cause problems on a small number of machines.
- -forcenovsync : disables VSync. A few players get screen tearing from it.
- +r_dynamic 0 : disables dynamic lighting. This can remove the flash from flashbangs near smokes, which is a real gameplay cost.
- -softparticlesdefaultoff : renders particles without depth blending, at the cost of graphics quality.
- -language : starts the game in the chosen language.
- -autoconfig : forces default config settings on every start, so any changes you make are lost on restart.
- -insecure : disables VAC. Only worth it if you play on a provider with its own anti-cheat, such as FACEIT or ESEA.
Common questions
- Do launch options raise my FPS? Sometimes, and usually by a small amount. If you are not actually dropping frames, the tradeoffs (lost lighting, lost effects) are not worth it.
- Can launch options get me banned? The options listed above are not cheats. -insecure disables VAC, which means you cannot play on VAC-secured matchmaking while it is set.
- Why does my game ignore a launch option? Check the prefix first. An option without + or - will not load, and a stray quote will break the line.
- Does -tickrate still work? No. Valve's page says the game is hardcoded to 64 tick with subticks, so the command does nothing.
- Should I use -high? Try it and remove it if you get stutters. It is not universally safe.
- Where do I put a console command instead? In an autoexec file, without the + prefix, or in the console after the game starts.
Valve Developer Community: Command line options (Source 2)
Total CS: CS2 launch options guide