CS2 Launch Options: Best Settings to Use (and What to Avoid)

Every Counter-Strike 2 player wants smooth gameplay and maximum control. While in-game settings handle most of the customization, launch options still play a small but useful role—if you know how to use them right. In this CSMarketCap guide, we’ll cover the best CS2 launch options, explain how to set them, and debunk some common myths.

What Are Launch Options in CS2?

Launch options are special commands that run the moment CS2 starts. They’re entered through Steam and let you tweak how the game launches, sometimes before the interface even loads. While their impact is smaller in CS2 compared to earlier versions of Counter-Strike, a few still matter for competitive players.

How to Set Launch Options in CS2

Setting launch options is simple:

1. Open your Steam Library.

2. Right-click on Counter-Strike 2 and select Properties…

3. In the window that opens, locate the Launch Options box.

4. Type your commands in the field (separated by spaces).

5. Close the window and launch CS2.

Note: You don’t need to use quotes or special formatting—just clean, simple text commands.

Best CS2 Launch Options (That Actually Help)

Unlike CS:GO, CS2 doesn’t require many launch options. Valve has moved most customization into the settings menu or console, and many pros now run zero launch options. Still, a few can be helpful for specific use cases:

• -nojoy: Disables joystick support. Can reduce memory usage slightly and may prevent crashes with third-party software like FACEIT.

• -console: Opens the developer console on launch. Useful for testing commands quickly.

• -novid: Skips the intro video. Saves you a few seconds on startup.

• -allow_third_party_software: Enables streaming tools like OBS. Be aware it could affect your Trust Factor in competitive matchmaking.

That’s it. These four are all you really need, and many players just use -novid and -console.

Launch Options You Should Avoid

There’s a long history of players using random commands hoping to improve FPS or reduce input lag. Unfortunately, most of these do more harm than good—especially in CS2, where Valve’s engine handles performance optimizations internally.

Common examples of harmful or unnecessary launch options:

• -tickrate 128: CS2 matchmaking servers don’t use this. It has no effect outside of local matches.

• +fps_max 0: Unlimited FPS can cause screen tearing or overheating. It’s better to cap FPS with +fps_max 400 or similar, or manage it in-game.

• -threads, -high, -processheap: These commands attempt to override CPU handling or memory allocation and often cause stutters or crashes. Valve recommends against them.

Unless you understand exactly what a command does, and it's backed by developer confirmation, don’t add it to your launch settings.

Should You Use a Config File Instead?

Absolutely. If you're serious about customizing your CS2 experience, save your settings in an autoexec config file. It’s cleaner, easier to manage, and can be backed up or synced across PCs. Launch options are best kept minimal—just enough to streamline startup and enable key tools like OBS or the console.

Final Thoughts

Launch options are a small but useful part of CS2 settings, and knowing which ones to use (or avoid) can help keep your game running smoothly. Just remember: more commands doesn’t mean more performance. Stick to the essentials, avoid outdated myths, and put most of your settings in an autoexec file instead.

Looking to tweak your gameplay even further? Explore our Pro Player Settings page to see how the top CS2 players set up their configs, crosshairs, viewmodels, and more.