How to Add Command Line Parameters to PC Game Shortcuts
When you launch a PC game, it often comes with a shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu. This shortcut launches the game with default settings, but sometimes you may want to modify those settings to suit your preferences. This is where command line parameters come in handy.
Command line parameters are additional instructions you can give to a program at launch time. These instructions can adjust the game’s graphics settings, enable or disable certain features, or even unlock cheats. Here’s how you can add command line parameters to PC game shortcuts.
Step 1: Find the game’s executable file
Before you can add command line parameters to a game shortcut, you need to know where the game’s executable file is located. This file is what the shortcut launches when you click on it. Usually, the executable file is in the game’s installation folder, which might be in the Program Files folder or in your Steam library.
Step 2: Create a shortcut to the executable file
Once you’ve found the game’s executable file, the next step is to create a shortcut to it. This shortcut will be what you use to launch the game with the command line parameters. Right-click on the executable file and select “Create shortcut” from the context menu.
Step 3: Modify the shortcut’s properties
Right-click on the shortcut you just created and select “Properties” from the context menu. This will open a window with all the properties of the shortcut.
Step 4: Add the command line parameters
In the “Target” field of the shortcut’s properties, you’ll see the path to the game’s executable file. You need to add the command line parameters to the end of this path, separated by a space. For example, if you want to launch the game in windowed mode, you would add “-windowed” to the end of the path.
Step 5: Save the changes
Once you’ve added the command line parameters, click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes. Now, whenever you launch the game using this shortcut, it will use the command line parameters you specified.
Some popular command line parameters for PC games include:
• -windowed: launches the game in windowed mode
• -fullscreen: launches the game in fullscreen mode
• -noborder: removes the border around the game window in windowed mode
• -dxlevel : sets the DirectX level for the game (replace with a number from 80 to 97)
• -novsync: disables vertical synchronization
• -console: enables the in-game console
• -novid: skips the game’s intro video
Adding command line parameters to PC game shortcuts can help you customize your gaming experience and optimize the game’s performance. With these simple steps, you can quickly and easily configure your game to suit your preferences.