Like a lot of people, you probably want to know how big the Starfield preload download is. If you have a PC, the good news is that you can download Starfield right now. Given all the space, Bethesda’s game is going to be a huge role-playing game. (This is not a joke.) So letting players pre-download a game this big before it comes out means they won’t have to wait around when it comes out to start playing, which is the important part. If you want to know how to Pre-Load Starfield on Xbox and PC.
With more than 1000 planets to explore in Starfield and hundreds of companions, crew members, and other NPCs, we’re pretty sure it will take the average player a long time to download the game. So, in this guide, we will talk about when and how you can preload the game on a Windows PC so you’re ready for the Starfield release date.
What is the pre-load date for Starfield?
Users of Xbox (both the console and Windows PC) and Steam can now preload Starfield. You can preload the game if you’ve ordered it ahead of time or if you have Xbox Game Pass. As a reminder, the game is expected to be about 125 GBs, so get ready for a big download.
If you’re getting a physical copy, this is obviously more difficult. As far as we know, there’s no way to digitally verify a physical purchase of Starfield and preload it. But if you buy the Starfield Premium Upgrade or one of the Starfield Constellation Editions, you can play up to 5 days before the game comes out. This gets around the problem to some extent.
Why Pre-loading Starfield is Important
- To save time on launch day. By pre-loading Starfield, you can download the video game before it is released, so that you can start playing as soon as it is available. This is especially important if you have a slow internet connection.
- To avoid server congestion. Pre-loading Starfield will help to reduce server congestion on launch day, so that you can download the game quickly and smoothly. This is especially important if you are playing on Xbox or PC, where there are millions of players who will all be trying to download the game at the same time.
- To make sure you have the latest version of the game. Pre-loading Starfield will ensure that you have the latest version of the game installed on launch day, so that you can experience the game as it was intended.
System Requirements for Xbox
Xbox Series X
- Processor: AMD Custom Zen 2 8-Core CPU (3.8GHz)
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6
- Storage: 1TB Custom NVMe SSD
- Graphics: 12 Teraflops of GPU Performance
- Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray Drive
- Dimensions: 151mm x 301mm x 151mm
- Weight: 4.44kg
Xbox Series S
- Processor: AMD Custom Zen 2 8-Core CPU (3.6GHz)
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6
- Storage: 512GB Custom NVMe SSD
- Graphics: 4 Teraflops of GPU Performance
- Optical Drive: None
- Dimensions: 108mm x 275mm x 65mm
- Weight: 1.93kg
How to Pre-Load Starfield on Xbox
- Make sure you have pre-ordered Starfield from the official website.
- Check out the Xbox Store: From August 17, go to the game’s page in the Xbox store.
- Find the “Pre-Install” option. This button replaces the “Download” option for games that have already been released.
- Start the downloading: To start downloading Starfield, click on “pre-install.”
- Allow Installation: Let the game install on your computer, and then wait for launch day with excitement.
How to Pre-Load Starfield on PC
- When you buy on Steam: Before August 30, buy Starfield.
- How to Get to Your Library: Look for Starfield on the page for your Steam library.
- Download the file: Choose the game you want to download and click the button.
- Choose SSD if you can: If you download onto an SSD, the game will load screens faster.
- Finish the Installation: Let the game install, and get ready for a fun time on the day it comes out.
Pre-loading vs. Day-One Downloads
| Pre-Loading | Day-One Downloads |
|---|---|
| Download the game before it is released | Download the game on launch day |
| Save time on launch day | Avoid server congestion on launch day |
| Make sure you have the latest version of the game | May have to wait for the game to download before you can play |
| Avoid any potential launch day problems | May encounter technical issues or server congestion |
| Be one of the first people to experience the game | Game may not be fully optimized or may have bugs |
FAQs
Users of Xbox (both the console and Windows PC) and Steam can now preload Starfield. You can preload the game if you’ve ordered it ahead of time or if you have Xbox Game Pass. As a reminder, the game is expected to be about 125 GBs, so get ready for a big download.
Microsoft’s purchase of ZeniMax Media means that Starfield will only be available on the Xbox Series X/S and PC. The upcoming game will also be able to save in different places. This means that you can start your game on PC and continue where you left off on Xbox Series X if you want to.
Preloading is officially live for Starfield on all platforms. Whether you’re playing through Game Pass or are planning to buy the game on PC or Xbox Series X|S, you can begin downloading the sizable game right now (and read our Starfield review while you wait).
