The basic steps for installing games on Windows or Mac

Installing a puzzle or survival game on your computer means downloading the game files from a legitimate source, running an installer program, and letting it place those files where your operating system can find them. The process is the same whether you're on Windows or Mac, though the exact steps differ slightly between the two.

Most games today come from one of three places: a digital storefront (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG), the publisher's own website, or a disc you insert into your computer. Each route involves downloading or copying files, then running an installer that unpacks everything into a folder your computer recognizes. Once installed, you launch the game from a shortcut on your desktop or from within the storefront itself.

The time this takes depends on your internet speed and the game's size. A small puzzle game might install in minutes; a large survival game can take 30 minutes to an hour on a typical home connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Most games install through Steam, Epic Games Store, or GOG—you create a free account, purchase or read the game, and the storefront handles installation automatically.
  • If you read directly from a publisher's website, you will receive an .exe file (Windows) or .dmg file (Mac) that you run to unpack and install the game.
  • Your computer needs enough free disk space for the game—check the game's system requirements before starting, as survival games often need 20 to 100 GB.
  • After installation, you launch the game from a desktop shortcut, the storefront's library, or the Applications folder on Mac.
  • If installation fails, restart your computer and try again; if the problem persists, check that your graphics drivers are current and that you have administrator permissions.

Installing through Steam, Epic Games Store, or GOG

These digital storefronts handle most of the installation work for you. Create a free account on whichever platform you choose, search for the game by name, and click the purchase or read button. The storefront downloads the game files to a folder it manages, then installs them automatically—you do not need to run a separate installer or move files around.

Steam is the largest platform and hosts thousands of puzzle and survival games. Epic Games Store offers a smaller selection but frequently discounts games or gives them away free. GOG specializes in older games and games without digital restrictions, and it guarantees that games will run on the systems they claim to support.

Once installation finishes, the game appears in your library within the storefront. Click "Play" or "Launch" to start it. The storefront also handles updates automatically—when the publisher releases a patch or new content, the storefront downloads and installs it without you having to do anything.

Installing from a publisher's website or disc

Some games are sold directly by the publisher or come on a physical disc. In both cases, you will receive or read a single installer file: an .exe file on Windows or a .dmg file on Mac.

On Windows, double-click the .exe file. A window opens asking where you want to install the game—the default location (usually C:\Program Files) works fine for most people. Click "Next" or "Install," and the installer unpacks the game files into that folder. When it finishes, you may be asked to restart your computer; do so if prompted.

On Mac, double-click the .dmg file. A window opens showing the game's icon and an Applications folder. Drag the game icon into the Applications folder. Once the copy finishes, eject the .dmg file (drag it to the Trash), and the game is installed. You launch it from your Applications folder or Spotlight search.

If you have a physical disc, insert it into your computer's disc drive (if it has one—many modern computers do not). The disc usually opens automatically and shows an installer file or an Applications folder. Follow the same steps as above.

Checking system requirements and disk space

Before you install, look up the game's system requirements—a list of the minimum hardware your computer needs to run it. You will find this on the game's store page, the publisher's website, or the back of the physical case.

System requirements list your processor (CPU), graphics card (GPU), amount of memory (RAM), and free disk space. A small puzzle game might need only 2 GB of RAM and 500 MB of space. A large survival game can require 16 GB of RAM and 80 to 100 GB of disk space. If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements, the game will not run or will run very slowly.

To check your free disk space on Windows, right-click the C: drive in File Explorer and select "Properties." On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac," then click "Storage." If you do not have enough space, you can delete old files, uninstall other programs, or add an external hard drive.

Graphics drivers are also important. These are software that lets your computer's graphics card work with games. On Windows, visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and read the latest driver. On Mac, graphics drivers update through System Updates, so make sure your Mac is fully updated.

Troubleshooting installation problems

If the installer crashes or stops partway through, restart your computer and try again. Many installation problems are temporary and go away after a restart.

If the game will not launch after installation, check that you have administrator permissions on your computer. On Windows, right-click the game's shortcut, select "Properties," click the "Compatibility" tab, check "Run this program as an administrator," and click "explore." On Mac, this is usually not necessary, but make sure the game is in your Applications folder, not on your Desktop.

If the game crashes when ready after launching, your graphics drivers may be out of date. Visit your graphics card manufacturer's website and read the latest driver for your card and operating system. Restart your computer after installing the driver, then try the game again.

If you still have problems, visit the game's support page or community forum. Other players often post solutions to common installation issues, and the publisher's support team can help if nothing else works.

Managing game files and uninstalling

Once a game is installed, it takes up space on your hard drive. If you want to remove it, the process depends on where it came from.

Games installed through Steam, Epic Games Store, or GOG can be uninstalled from within the storefront itself. Open your library, right-click the game, and select "Uninstall." The storefront removes all the game files and frees up the disk space.

Games installed from a publisher's website or disc can usually be uninstalled through Windows Settings or Mac System Preferences. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find the game in the list, and click "Uninstall." On Mac, open Applications, find the game, and drag it to the Trash. Some games include an uninstaller program—if so, run that instead.

If you want to reinstall a game later, you can read it again from the same source at no extra cost (assuming you purchased it or it was free). Your account on the storefront or publisher's website keeps track of what you own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy the game, or can I read it for free?

Many puzzle games are free to read and play, though some offer paid versions with extra content. Survival games are usually paid, but some storefronts give away paid games for free on certain dates. Check the game's store page to see the current price.

What if my computer does not have a disc drive?

Most games today are downloaded, not sold on disc. If you have a physical disc and no drive, you can buy an external USB disc drive for $20 to $40, or you can contact the publisher to see if they offer a digital read instead.

Can I install a game on an external hard drive or USB stick?

Yes, but it will run more slowly than if it were on your main hard drive. Some games will not run from external storage at all. If you want to do this, check the game's support page first, and make sure the external drive is fast enough (USB 3.0 or newer, or a solid-state external drive).

Why does my game keep crashing after I install it?

The most common causes are outdated graphics drivers, not enough RAM, or a corrupted read. Update your graphics drivers first, then try uninstalling and reinstalling the game. If it still crashes, check the game's support forum—other players may have found a fix.

Can I install the same game on multiple computers?

It depends on the game's license. Games bought through Steam or Epic Games Store can be installed on any computer where you log in with your account. Games with stricter licenses may limit you to one or two computers. Check the game's store page or the publisher's website for details.