# Getting Started: Installing Cyberpunk

## Summary

**Last documented update:** January 19th, 2026 by [minnierylands](https://app.gitbook.com/u/VSIYzNHUyRPaBCk2ExHhQzpPfo82 "mention")

{% hint style="danger" %}
While it is *possible* to install mods by hand, we recommend using a mod manager.
{% endhint %}

This guide will walk you through installing and configuring your game. If you have already done that, you can configure the mod manager of your choice:

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Vortex</strong></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="https://1427525421-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4gzcGtLrr90pVjAWVdTc%2Fuploads%2FmB1FyJx4AUGHceEszzYp%2Fvortex-logomark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bf7348c2-bed3-440f-8489-16ee3bca3b6c">vortex-logomark.png</a></td><td><a href="getting-started/vortex-mod-manager">vortex-mod-manager</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Mod Organizer 2</strong></td><td><a href="https://1427525421-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4gzcGtLrr90pVjAWVdTc%2Fuploads%2F49p7x4c6SrpcwwRiVuCn%2F37225415.png?alt=media&#x26;token=52387763-e10c-4fba-9edd-99803bf0f60c">37225415.png</a></td><td><a href="getting-started/mo2-mod-organizer-2">mo2-mod-organizer-2</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="info" %}
To learn how to install mods, check [Using Mods](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/for-mod-users/users-modding-cyberpunk-2077)
{% endhint %}

***

## Prerequisites

* You have [**bought** Cyberpunk 2077](#user-content-fn-1)[^1] on the platform of your choice (Steam, GOG or EPIC)
* You have the following things:
  * [Visual C Redistributable 2022](https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe)
  * [.NET 6.0+](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/6.0)
* You have updated the following things:
  * [Your graphics card](https://www.wikihow.com/Update-Your-Graphics-Driver) driver
  * The latest [Windows Update](https://www.wikihow.com/Update-Windows) for your operating system (checkout [modding-on-linux](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/for-mod-users/users-modding-cyberpunk-2077/modding-on-linux "mention") if that's what you're doing)

***

## Installing the Game

{% hint style="success" %}
If you already have the game installed, you can skip this section and proceed with [Configuring the Game](#configuring-the-game)
{% endhint %}

In order to set up your game to be best suited for mods, you'll want to keep some things in mind:

* Installing Cyberpunk 2077 on an SSD can speed up load time
* Installing Cyberpunk 2077 outside of `Program Files` can stop Windows "protecting" your files

For the purpose of this guide, we will assume the following install paths:

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="267"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Game install</td><td><code>C:\Games\Cyberpunk 2077</code></td></tr><tr><td>Mod download and staging</td><td><code>C:\Games\Mods</code></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

#### Permissions

{% hint style="warning" %}
Folder permissions **can** cause problems down the line, especially for Windows users.

Most users never run into these, but you can prevent them altogether by installing your game to a folder like `C:\Games` rather than `C:\Program Files.`
{% endhint %}

By default, all three platforms (GOG, Steam, and Epic) want to install the game to their own install location, which defaults to `C:\Program Files`. Unfortunately, Windows is fussy about what it will permit there, which is not much.

This **can** cause problems in two different spots by "protecting" the Cyberpunk install directory from:

* Modding tools such as mod managers (like our recommendation [Vortex](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/for-mod-users/users-modding-cyberpunk-2077/getting-started/vortex-mod-manager))
* CDPR's own REDmod launcher.

But hey, at least things are very secure.

You likely won't run into any of these problems, but you can rule them out altogether by installing Cyberpunk to a directory other than `C:\Program Files` or `C:\Program Files(x86)`, like `C:\Games\Cyberpunk 2077`

***

### Installation Guide

Now we will go through the install options to use on each platform to accomplish this, and the recommended settings for modded Cyberpunk 2077.

{% hint style="info" %}
Just choose the header below for which platform you're using!
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Installing Through GOG" %}

#### Installing Cyberpunk: GOG

{% hint style="success" %}
If you already have the game installed, you can skip this section and proceed with [Configuring Cyberpunk](#configuring-cyberpunk-gog)
{% endhint %}

1. Open GOG Galaxy, click on "`Owned Games`" in the left sidebar.\
   Scroll until you find Cyberpunk.

***

2. Single click on its picture to display the main Cyberpunk page.

***

3. Click the button at the top of the page labeled "`Install`".

***

4. In the pop-up window, choose your install location:

* Click the drop-down box
* Select "`browse`"
* Browse to the target folder (we're assuming `C:\Games`)

{% hint style="info" %}
You don't need to create a subfolder for Cyberpunk, as GOG will do that for you.
{% endhint %}

***

5. **Optional**: Select a game language other than English

***

6. **Optional**: Create a desktop shortcut by ticking the first box "`Create desktop shortcut`"

***

7. **Optional, but recommended**: Disable auto-updates by unchecking the second box "`Keep this game up to date automatically`"

<figure><img src="https://1427525421-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4gzcGtLrr90pVjAWVdTc%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6cff805baeb2bc4810d9468af23de1bb3534e74c%2Fimage.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>How the window should look for recommended install.</p></figcaption></figure>

***

8. Press "`Install`"

***

9. Wait until GOG has done it's thing, then proceed to the next section.
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Installing Through Steam" %}

#### Installing Cyberpunk: Steam

{% hint style="success" %}
If you already have the game installed, you can skip this section and proceed with [Configuring Cyberpunk](#configuring-cyberpunk-steam)
{% endhint %}

To be done
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Installing Through Epic" %}

#### Installing Cyberpunk: Epic

{% hint style="success" %}
If you already have the game installed, you can skip this section and proceed with [Configuring Cyberpunk](#configuring-cyberpunk-epic)
{% endhint %}

To be done
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

## Configuring the Game

Great, now the game is installed!

To get the recommended settings, and to start modding your game, follow one of the guides below.

### Configuration Guide

{% hint style="info" %}
Just choose the header below for which platform you're using!
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Configuring Through GOG" %}

#### Configuring Cyberpunk: GOG

Once the game has installed, we want to make it run with mods.

1. Click the button to the right of the **`Play`** button (formerly the `install` button) pictured below.

<figure><img src="https://1427525421-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4gzcGtLrr90pVjAWVdTc%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-be491c971dda5b349a5871790e138dbece7ba320%2Fimage.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Cyberpunk 2077 main page on GOG, with the sidebar open on the left</p></figcaption></figure>

***

2. From there, select "**`Manage Installation`**" and then "**`Configure`**". A window will pop up where you can change your desired settings:
   * Installation (first tab): Disable auto-updates
   * DLC (third tab): Select at least **`Cyberpunk 2077 REDMod`**

<figure><img src="https://1427525421-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4gzcGtLrr90pVjAWVdTc%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4c32867685398a1adf5ac797fd3d59f2060ca583%2FCP2077%20Modding%20Guide%20GOG%20Setup%20Merged%20Image.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>You may select any additional settings you like, but these are the minimum recommended options.</p></figcaption></figure>

***

3. Click the **`OK`** button to return to the game's page.

***

4. Click **`Play`** on the game's page

***

5. Click the **`Settings`** button and **Enable mods**
   * If you can't enable mods, it means REDmod is not installed. **Go back and repeat step 2**.

***

6. Click **`Play`** (Do not skip this)

{% hint style="success" %}
That's it, you are done with your install of the game! You can now move on to [#starting-to-mod](#starting-to-mod "mention")!
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Configuring Through Steam" %}

#### Configuring Cyberpunk: Steam

1. Navigate to *Cyberpunk 2077*

***

2. Click **`Play`**

***

3. Click the **`Settings`** button and **Enable mods**
   * If you can't enable mods, that means **REDmod is not installed**. Check the game's DLCs and make sure to get it.

***

4. Click **`Play`** (Do not skip this)

{% hint style="success" %}
That's it, you are done with your install of the game! You can now move on to [#starting-to-mod](#starting-to-mod "mention")!
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Configuring Through Epic" %}

#### Configuring Cyberpunk: Epic

1. Navigate to *Cyberpunk 2077*

***

2. Click **`Play`**

***

3. Click the **`Settings`** button and **Enable mods**
   * If you can't enable mods, that means **REDmod is not installed**. Check the game's DLCs and make sure to get it.

***

4. Click **`Play`** (Do not skip this)

{% hint style="success" %}
That's it, you are done with your install of the game! You can now move on to [#starting-to-mod](#starting-to-mod "mention")!
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

## Starting to mod

You now have the following options:

* If you're not confident in modding your game, follow the extremely detailed guide under [vortex-mod-manager](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/for-mod-users/users-modding-cyberpunk-2077/getting-started/vortex-mod-manager "mention")
* Otherwise, you can head to [](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/for-mod-users/users-modding-cyberpunk-2077 "mention") and start reading on how to do this

[^1]: .Pirated copies generally do not mod well.