Getting Started

Beginner guides for installing, setting up, and using LaunchBox for Windows.

Welcome to LaunchBox: What It Is and How It WorksLearn what LaunchBox does, how games, platforms, emulators, and your library work together, and how LaunchBox differs from Big Box.
Your First 15 Minutes: Install LaunchBox and Play Your First GameFollow a beginner-friendly first-session path from downloading and installing LaunchBox to importing, checking, and successfully playing your first game.
A Beginner's Tour of the LaunchBox DesktopLearn the main areas of the LaunchBox desktop and how to browse, search, filter, sort, edit, manage, and play games.
Emulation Basics: ROMs, Emulators, Cores, BIOS, and FirmwareUnderstand the files and software used for emulation and learn how LaunchBox connects a game to its emulator, core, BIOS, firmware, and dependencies.
Automated ROM ImportsLearn how to use the Automated ROM Import system to quickly get your games in LaunchBox so you have more time to play!
Single Platform ImportsLearn when to use the Single Platform Import Wizard and how to add one system with full control over files, emulators, metadata, media, and advanced options.
Managing Storefront Games in LaunchBoxLaunchBox has long been the go-to frontend for retro gaming, but it's also become a powerhouse for modern game libraries. With support for multiple storefronts like Steam, GOG, Epic Games, Amazon, EA, Ubisoft, and Xbox, LaunchBox makes it easy to bring your entire collection—past and present—into one unified experience.
Multi-Platform ImportsLearn how to import an organized ROM collection for several systems at once using platform folders, mapping, metadata, media, and batch options.
Drag and Drop ImportsLearn how to start a guided import by dropping game files or folders onto LaunchBox, then reviewing platform, emulator, file, and media options.
Organizing Your Library: Platforms, Categories, Playlists, Favorites, and FiltersUnderstand platforms, Scrape As, platform categories, manual and auto-populating playlists, Favorites, sidebar filters, and advanced search in LaunchBox.
Metadata and Media BasicsLearn how LaunchBox matches games, downloads metadata and media, handles existing content, stores files, and fixes missing or incorrect results.
Editing Game Details and Fixing Incorrect MatchesCorrect database matches, metadata, media, platforms, launch paths, emulator overrides, versions, and bulk edits without losing working files.
Understanding Controller Setup: LaunchBox, Big Box, and EmulatorsUnderstand the separate Windows, LaunchBox Desktop, Big Box, emulator gameplay, pause, exit, and focus layers, and configure them in a reliable order.
Backing Up and Restoring Your LaunchBox SetupLearn what LaunchBox data backups protect, how automatic and manual backups work, how to restore safely, and what else a complete setup backup needs.
Managing Game Files, Folders, and PathsLearn how LaunchBox points to game files, how to move or copy them safely, and how to repair paths without breaking your library.
Choosing the Right Way to Import Your GamesChoose the correct LaunchBox workflow for single- or multi-platform ROMs, automated folders, storefronts, Windows shortcuts, MAME, DOS, and manual additions.
Setting Up an Emulator ManuallyManually add an installed emulator, connect it to LaunchBox platforms, configure parameter precedence, cores, extraction, dependencies, and safe per-game overrides.
BIOS, Firmware, Cores, and Dependency FilesLearn what BIOS, firmware, emulator cores, and dependency files do; how LaunchBox verifies supported dependencies; and how to place, troubleshoot, and back them up safely.
Finding Games: Search, Filters, Views, and BadgesLearn how to find games in LaunchBox Desktop using the sidebar, Search, filters, sorting, views, playlists, Game Details, and badges.
Removing and Re-importing Games SafelySafely remove games from playlists or your library, understand media and ROM deletion, handle storefront blacklisting, and re-import games without losing more than intended.
Platforms, Platform Categories, and Scrape As ExplainedUnderstand local platforms, category hierarchies, Scrape As database matching, emulator associations, folder behavior, renaming, and deletion risks.
Playlists: Manual, Auto-Populated, and Filter-BasedCreate manual and auto-populated LaunchBox playlists, save visual filters, control sorting and sidebar placement, manage Big Box visibility, and remove playlists safely.
Import Troubleshooting: Missing Games, Duplicates, and Wrong PlatformsDiagnose games that seem missing, duplicate filtering and combining, incorrect platforms or database matches, automated-import issues, and storefront suppression.
Customizing LaunchBox Desktop: Themes, Layouts, Game Details, and Image TypesCustomize LaunchBox Desktop by separating themes, views, Image Groups, media priorities, Game Details, boxes, colors, badges, platform media, and performance settings.
MAME and Arcade Sets: Full-Set Basics for BeginnersUnderstand MAME versions, set types and dependencies, then use LaunchBox’s full-set importer safely with the right clone, CHD, filter, playlist, and update choices.
Bulk Editing and Auditing a Large LaunchBox LibraryUse multi-selection, Bulk Edit, Audit, metadata downloads, ROM scans, and safe cleanup tools to maintain a large LaunchBox library.
Updating Emulators and RetroArch Cores Without Breaking LaunchBoxSafely update LaunchBox-managed and manually configured emulators, RetroArch, and cores without losing working paths, platform settings, firmware, saves, or rollback options.
Multi-Disc Games and M3U PlaylistsCombine multi-disc games into one library entry, distinguish versions from apps, generate or maintain M3U files, swap discs, and protect saves and source files.
Importing and Managing MS-DOS Games with DOSBoxImport or install MS-DOS games with LaunchBox’s built-in DOSBox workflows, configure startup files, mounts and per-game settings, and solve common launch problems.
Adding Standalone Windows Games, Executables, and ShortcutsAdd native Windows games that are not imported from a storefront, choose a reliable executable or shortcut, configure paths and arguments, use Additional Apps safely, and troubleshoot launches.
Compressed ROMs and Disc Images: ZIP, 7Z, CUE/BIN, CHD, RVZ, and ExtractionChoose the right ROM or disc-image file, understand descriptors and companion files, and configure ZIP, 7Z, or RAR extraction safely.
Using Multiple Emulators for One Platform: Defaults, Launch With, and Per-Game OverridesConfigure several emulators or RetroArch cores for one platform, choose the default, test alternatives with Launch With, and make safe per-game or bulk changes.
Importing and Managing ScummVM GamesImport ScummVM game folders through LaunchBox’s current ROM workflow, configure standalone or RetroArch launching, manage saves and variants, and migrate legacy entries safely.
Using LaunchBox with NAS, Network Drives, Cloud Sync, and Multiple PCsUse LaunchBox safely with NAS and network paths, cloud-synced folders, portable installations, shared ROM libraries, multiple PCs, and reliable backups.