Getting Started: Installing Cyberpunk

Install the core requirements for Cyberpunk2077 modding, decide how to manage your mods, and set up a mod manager

Summary

Last documented update: January 19th, 2026 by minnierylands

While it is possible to install mods by hand, we recommend using a mod manager.

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:

Vortex

Mod Organizer 2

To learn how to install mods, check Using Mods

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Prerequisites

• You have bought Cyberpunk 2077 on the platform of your choice (Steam, GOG or EPIC)

• You have the following things:

  • Visual C Redistributable 2022

  • .NET 6.0+

• You have updated the following things:

  • Your graphics card driver

  • The latest Windows Update for your operating system (checkout Modding on Linux if that's what you're doing)

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Installing the Game

If you already have the game installed, you can skip this section and proceed with Configuring the Game

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:

Game install	C:\Games\Cyberpunk 2077
Mod download and staging	C:\Games\Mods

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Permissions

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.

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)

• 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

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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.

Just choose the header below for which platform you're using!

Installing Through GOG

Installing Cyberpunk: GOG

If you already have the game installed, you can skip this section and proceed with Configuring Cyberpunk

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

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

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1. Click the button at the top of the page labeled "Install".

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1. 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)

You don't need to create a subfolder for Cyberpunk, as GOG will do that for you.

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1. Optional: Select a game language other than English

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1. Optional: Create a desktop shortcut by ticking the first box "Create desktop shortcut"

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

How the window should look for recommended install.

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1. Press "Install"

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1. Wait until GOG has done it's thing, then proceed to the next section.

Installing Through Steam

Installing Through Epic

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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

Just choose the header below for which platform you're using!

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.

The Cyberpunk 2077 main page on GOG, with the sidebar open on the left

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1. 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

You may select any additional settings you like, but these are the minimum recommended options.

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1. Click the OK button to return to the game's page.

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1. Click Play on the game's page

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1. 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.

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1. Click Play (Do not skip this)

That's it, you are done with your install of the game! You can now move on to Starting to mod!

Configuring Through Steam

Configuring Through Epic

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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

• Otherwise, you can head to Using Mods and start reading on how to do this