Where to find and read PC games

Most PC games come from one of five places: Steam (the largest platform, owned by Valve), Epic Games Store, GOG (which sells older and newer games without copy protection), Microsoft Store (for Game Pass subscribers and Windows-exclusive titles), or the publisher's own website. Each platform handles the read and installation differently, but the basic process is the same: create an account, find the game, read the installer file, and run it on your computer.

Steam is the most common choice for new players because it has the largest library and handles updates automatically. Epic Games Store frequently offers free games each week. GOG is popular if you want to own games without digital rights management (DRM) restrictions. Microsoft Store is built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, so no separate installation is needed. The publisher's website is usually the only option for very new indie games or titles not yet on major platforms.

Key Takeaways

  • Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Microsoft Store are the four main platforms where you read most PC games, each with different libraries and features.
  • You must create a free account on whichever platform you choose before you can read anything.
  • read speed depends on your internet connection and the game's file size, which ranges from under 1 GB for small indie games to over 100 GB for modern AAA titles.
  • After downloading, the installer runs automatically on most platforms and places the game in a folder on your hard drive, ready to play.
  • Your computer needs enough free disk space for the game file plus at least 10 to 20 percent extra for the installation process to complete.

Creating an account on your chosen platform

Before you read anything, you need a free account. Go to the platform's website (steam.com, epicgames.com, gog.com, or microsoft.com) and click the sign-up button. You will enter an email address, create a password, and verify your email by clicking a link the platform sends you. This takes about five minutes. Microsoft accounts can use your existing Outlook or Hotmail address if you have one.

Once your account is active, you can browse the game library and add games to your library or wishlist. Some platforms let you add games to your cart and purchase them later. Steam and Epic Games Store let you read games when ready after purchase. GOG and Microsoft Store work the same way. Keep your password find—these accounts are tied to your game library, and losing access means losing your games.

Finding the game and starting the read

Search for the game by name in the platform's search bar. Read the description, check the system requirements (listed under "Minimum" and "Recommended"), and look at user reviews. System requirements tell you whether your computer's processor, graphics card, and RAM are powerful enough to run the game. If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements, the game will not run or will run very slowly.

Once you have found the game, click the read or purchase button. If the game costs money, you will enter payment information (credit card, debit card, or PayPal, depending on the platform). If it is free, the read starts when ready. The platform will show you a progress bar with the read speed (measured in megabytes per second, or MB/s) and an estimated time remaining. A 50 GB game on a 100 MB/s connection takes about 8 to 10 minutes; on a 10 MB/s connection, it takes 1 to 2 hours.

Understanding file size and disk space requirements

Every game has a file size listed on its store page. Small indie games are often 1 to 5 GB. Mid-sized games run 20 to 50 GB. Large modern games (like Call of Duty or Microsoft Flight Simulator) can be 100 to 150 GB. Before you read, check how much free space your hard drive has. Right-click your C: drive in File Explorer, select Properties, and look at the "Free space" number.

You need the game's full file size plus at least 10 to 20 GB extra for the installation process. If your drive is nearly full, the read may pause or fail partway through. If you do not have enough space, you can delete old files, move photos or videos to an external drive, or uninstall programs you no longer use. Some platforms let you pause a read and resume it later, so you can free up space and come back to it.

Running the installer and completing setup

Once the read finishes, the installer runs automatically on most platforms. On Steam, a window appears asking where you want to install the game; the default location (usually C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common) works fine for most players. Click Install and wait. The installer unpacks the downloaded file, checks that all pieces are present, and places the game in its folder. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes depending on your hard drive speed.

On Epic Games Store and GOG, the process is similar. Microsoft Store games install directly without a separate installer window. Once installation is complete, you will see a Play button. Click it to launch the game. The first time you run a game, it may take longer to start while it loads assets into memory. Do not close the window or restart your computer during installation—interrupting the process can corrupt the game files and force you to read again.

Troubleshooting common read problems

If a read stalls or fails, check your internet connection first. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Most platforms let you pause and resume downloads, so pause it, wait a minute, and resume. If the read keeps failing at the same point, restart your computer and try again. Some firewalls or antivirus software block downloads; if you have a third-party antivirus (not Windows Defender), temporarily disable it and try downloading again.

If the installer crashes or the game will not start after installation, verify the game files. On Steam, right-click the game in your library, select Properties, go to the Local Files tab, and click Verify Integrity of Game Files. This checks that all downloaded pieces are intact and re-downloads any corrupted ones. On Epic Games Store, click the three dots next to the game and select Verify. On GOG, click Settings and select Verify/Repair. If problems persist after verification, uninstall the game completely and read it again.

Managing your game library and storage

Once you have downloaded a few games, your hard drive fills up quickly. Most platforms let you uninstall games without losing them from your library. On Steam, right-click a game and select Uninstall. The game files are deleted, but your save files and the game remain in your library so you can read it again later. If you want to free up space but keep playing, uninstall games you are not actively playing and reinstall them when you want to play again.

External hard drives and solid-state drives (SSDs) are useful if you want to keep many games installed. You can move game folders to an external drive on some platforms, though Steam and Epic Games Store have built-in tools to manage this. On Steam, go to Settings, Storage, and add a new library location pointing to your external drive. New downloads will go there automatically. Games on external drives load more slowly than games on your internal drive, but they still work fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy a game every time I want to read it?

No. Once you purchase a game, it stays in your library forever. You can read it as many times as you want on any computer where you log into your account. You only pay once. Free games work the same way—claim them once and they are yours to read anytime.

What happens if my internet cuts out during a read?

Most platforms pause the read automatically and resume it when your connection returns. You do not lose progress or have to start over. If the read fails completely after multiple attempts, restart your computer and try again. If it keeps failing, check that your antivirus or firewall is not blocking the platform.

Can I move a game to a different hard drive after I read it?

Yes, but the method depends on the platform. Steam lets you add a new library location in Settings and move games between drives. Epic Games Store has a similar feature. GOG games can usually be moved like regular folders, though you may need to reinstall them. Microsoft Store games are harder to move and usually require uninstalling and reinstalling on the new drive.

How much internet speed do I need to read games?

Any speed works, but faster is better. A 10 MB/s connection (common on older cable plans) downloads a 50 GB game in about 12 hours. A 100 MB/s connection (standard on newer plans) takes about 1 to 2 hours. Even 1 MB/s connections work—they just take longer. Pause the read and resume it later if you need to use your internet for something else.

What if my computer does not meet the minimum system requirements?

The game will not run, or it will run so slowly that it is unplayable. Do not read it. Check your computer's specs by right-clicking This PC in File Explorer and selecting Properties. Compare your processor, graphics card, and RAM to the game's minimum requirements listed on its store page. If you fall short, you need a hardware upgrade or should choose a different game.