There comes a time in lots of PC players’ lives through which they need to do the beforehand unthinkable, and set up a gaming rig in the lounge.

Maybe it’s since you’re working from residence and might’t stand hunching over the identical desk for gaming after workplace hours, otherwise you’ve lastly invested in a TV with critical gaming options comparable to VRR and desire a correct PC with which to make use of it. Or maybe you’ve had a style of liberating your PC gaming library with a Steam Deck and wish to convey these video games to much more screens round the home.

Whatever the impetus could also be, there are a number of steps value taking to prime your PC for sofa use. Follow this information, and also you’ll get a console-like, leanback expertise in your gaming rig with out the same old recreation console limitations.

Further studying: Best PC computer deals: Top picks from gaming desktops to all-in-ones

Consider a recent begin

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If you’re repurposing an outdated PC as an alternative of organising a brand new one, take into consideration giving it a manufacturing unit reset first. Clearing out no matter cruft you’ve constructed up can assist cut back startup instances, enhance efficiency, and unlock extra space to put in video games.

In Windows 10, you’ll discover reset choices underneath Settings > System > Update & Security > Recovery. In Windows 11, it’s underneath Settings > System > Recovery. Just be sure to back up your data first.

Set your display screen decision and scaling

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With powerful enough graphics card, you may in all probability go away Windows’ show decision as-is, even on a 4K TV. Some older TVs, nonetheless, can’t output 4K at greater than 30 frames per second, and older graphics playing cards could wrestle with 4K at 60 frames per second anyway.

If Windows’ animations look uneven and scrolling appears sluggish, think about dropping the system’s decision all the way down to 1080p as an alternative. You’ll get smoother efficiency in Windows menus, and your video games will default to 1080p as an alternative of creating you dial them again from 4K.

To change decision in Windows, head to Settings > System > Display, then use the Display Resolution drop-down menu. While right here, you may additionally wish to enhance Windows’ show scaling so its menus don’t look tiny. Use the “Scale” drop-down menu, and select scaling of round 125% for 1080p TVs and 250% for 4K.

Set your refresh fee

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After organising decision and scaling, the following step is to decide on the smoothest refresh fee potential. On most TVs, that’ll be 60Hz, however some newer TVs have native refresh charges of 120Hz for even smoother gameplay. (Just don’t be fooled by the artificially inflated refresh rates marketed by many TV distributors.)

• In Windows 10: head to Settings > Display, choose “Advanced display settings,” then use the “Refresh rate” drop-down to pick out the best degree potential.
• In Windows 11: Head to Settings > System > Display, choose “Advanced Display,” and set “Choose a refresh rate” to the best degree.

Word of warning: Some TVs solely supply their finest refresh charges on particular inputs, so be sure your PC’s linked to the most effective obtainable enter.

Use a fullscreen launcher

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Unless you’re sticking with a mouse and keyboard, think about using a fullscreen recreation launcher for a extra console-like expertise.

Steam’s Big Picture Mode works properly if you happen to’re solely taking part in video games from Valve’s storefront, however Playnite is an excellent higher various. It’s a free obtain that gives a single interface for all of your libraries, together with Epic Games, GOG, Amazon Games, Xbox, and numerous emulators.

If you go along with Playnite, you’ll have to make use of Fullscreen mode to navigate together with your recreation controller. Click the controller icon, choose Settings, then test the choices for “Launch in Fullscreen mode.” Make certain “Launch Playnite when you start your computer” is checked as properly, and the launcher will load robotically when your PC activates.

Set up a digital mouse and keyboard

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Even if you happen to’re utilizing a recreation controller for many interactions, occasional mouse and keyboard enter could also be inescapable, as an example once you’re putting in video games or naming your character.

Instead of breaking out an precise mouse and keyboard each time this occurs, think about using digital mouse and keyboard apps as an alternative. A pair notable choices:-

• Unified Remote gives a keyboard and trackpad in your telephone and connects to your PC through companion server software program. The primary model is free, whereas a $5 improve helps prolonged keystroke instructions comparable to Ctrl and Alt.
• Controller Companion provides mouse and keyboard controls to your recreation controller, enabled by urgent the controller’s Start and Menu buttons concurrently. It’s a $3 one-time buy.

Activate Do Not Disturb mode

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You shouldn’t want any Windows notifications whereas gaming, so flip them off utilizing Do Not Disturb mode:

• In Windows 10: Click the notification bubble, then click on the Focus Assist button till it says “Alarms only.”
• In Windows 11: Click the notification bubble, then click on bell icon within the notification panel on the high.

Disable launcher notifications

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Likewise, you in all probability don’t wish to be bothered with pop ups from numerous recreation shops whilst you’re taking part in, particularly since you may’t dismiss them with no cursor.

• In Steam: Head to Steam > Settings > Interface and disable “Notify me about additions or changes to my games, new releases, and upcoming releases.”
• In Epic Games: Click your profile icon, choose Settings, then uncheck each choices underneath “Desktop Notifications.”

Bypass the lock display screen

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In Windows, the lock display screen is a serious impediment to a controller-only setup on your lounge PC. Assuming you’ve arrange your PC with a Microsoft account—which is now mandatory in many cases—right here’s methods to bypass the lock display screen so you may soar straight into your recreation launcher of selection:

• Head to Settings > Accounts > Sign-In Options, then uncheck the field that claims “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in.”
• Click the Start menu button, kind “netplwiz,” then click on the highest outcome (which ought to have an icon resembling two individuals).
• Uncheck the field that claims “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.”
• Click “Apply,” and also you’ll see a pop-up menu.
• Under “User name,” enter your Microsoft account e mail.
• Under “Password,” enter your Microsoft account password. Same with the “Confirm password” area.
• Hit “OK,” and restart to verify that Windows skips the lock display screen robotically.

Here’s an illustrated guide if you happen to want extra assist with this step. Given that it will make your PC much less safe, solely skip the lock display screen if you happen to’re not storing any delicate information. (You can all the time reenable the lock display screen in netplwiz by checking the “Users must enter a user name and password” field once more.)

Hide your desktop icons

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We’re stepping into mere aesthetic territory right here, however hiding desktop icons (together with the Recycle Bin) is a simple solution to make your gaming PC really feel extra console-like. Just head to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings, then uncheck “Recycle Bin.”

Set up some splash screens

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For the ultimate contact, arrange some gaming-related wallpapers to look on the Windows desktop. This will make for a nice greeting when your gaming PC boots up and—if you happen to’re utilizing Playnite—within the transient moments earlier than your recreation masses.

• Download some wallpapers to a single folder in your pc.
• Right-click the desktop and hit “Personalize.”
• Select “Background.”
• Under “Personalize your background,” choose “Slideshow” from the drop-down menu.
• Use the “Browse” button to pick out the folder the place your wallpapers are saved.

Time to loosen up!

At final, reboot your PC to ensure the whole circulate is working as supposed. Your pc ought to boot up into Windows with no distractions, robotically load your recreation launcher, and supply full navigation of your recreation catalog utilizing solely a controller.

The solely factor left to do now is definitely play one thing. After all this, you should blow off some steam.