Config File in CS2: What Is It?

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is a free-to-play tactical first-person shooter developed by Valve and released in September 2023. One of the key features that makes CS2 popular is its ability to be customized. Players can adjust many game settings by using configuration files, also called config files (CFGs). These simple text files contain console commands that let players change graphics, controls, performance settings, and the user interface to match their preferences.

Using config files helps players create a setup that fits their playstyle. Custom settings also stay the same across different gaming sessions and devices, making the game feel more consistent. Whether a player wants better frame rates, a personalized crosshair, or faster control adjustments, learning how to use CS2’s config files is an important step in improving both performance and overall gameplay experience.

What Is a Config File in CS2?

In Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), a configuration file, commonly referred to as a “config” or “CFG,” is a plain text file that contains a series of console commands. These commands are executed by the game to adjust various settings, allowing players to customize their gaming experience. By creating and modifying config files, players can personalize aspects such as graphics quality, control mappings, and gameplay mechanics to suit their preferences.

Purpose and Benefits:

• Personalization: Config files enable players to fine-tune settings beyond the standard in-game options. This includes adjusting graphics settings for optimal performance, customizing key bindings for more intuitive control, and modifying gameplay elements like crosshair style and HUD layout. Such personalization allows players to tailor the game environment to their individual playstyles.
• Consistency Across Sessions and Systems: One of the significant advantages of using config files is the ability to maintain consistent settings across multiple gaming sessions and different systems. By saving preferred configurations in a CFG file, players can easily transfer their settings to another computer or restore them after reinstalling the game. This ensures a uniform gaming experience, regardless of where or when they play.

Where CS2 Config Files Are Located?

Default Config File Location

The default directory path where CS2 stores its configuration files is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg

Accessing the Config Directory

To navigate to the config folder using File Explorer, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer

Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.

2. Navigate to the Steam Directory
   • Click on “This PC” or “Computer” in the left-hand pane.
   • Open the C: drive (or the drive where Steam is installed).
   • Double-click on the “Program Files (x86)” folder.
   • Locate and open the “Steam” folder.
3. Locate the CS2 Config Folder

Within the Steam folder, navigate to “steamapps” > “common” > “Counter-Strike Global Offensive” > “game” > “csgo” > “cfg”.

In this “cfg” folder, you’ll find various configuration files that CS2 uses to store game settings. Here, you can create, edit, or back up your config files to customize your gameplay experience.

How to Create a CS2 Config File?

Creating and editing a custom configuration (config) file in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) allows you to personalize your gaming experience by specifying console commands that adjust various game settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

To create and edit config files, you’ll need a text editor. Here are some recommended options:

• Notepad (Windows): A basic text editor included with Windows.
• Notepad++: A free, feature-rich text editor that offers syntax highlighting and other advanced features.
• Sublime Text: A versatile text editor with a user-friendly interface.
• Visual Studio Code: A powerful, open-source editor with extensive customization options.

Steps to Create a Config File

1. Open Your Text Editor

Launch your preferred text editor from the options mentioned above.

2. Create a New Text Document

In the text editor, open a new blank document.

3. Add Your Desired Console Commands
   • Enter the console commands you wish to include, ensuring each command is on a separate line.
   • For example:
     cl_crosshairsize 3 sensitivity 2.5 bind f “use weapon_flashbang”
4. Save the File with a .cfg Extension
   • Click on File > Save As.
   • In the “Save as type” dropdown, select All Files.
   • Name your file (e.g., autoexec.cfg), ensuring it has the .cfg extension.
   • Choose the UTF-8 encoding format to ensure compatibility.
   • Save the file to a location of your choice.

Placing the Config File in the Appropriate Directory

1. Locate the CS2 Config Directory

Navigate to the CS2 configuration folder, typically found at:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg

2. Move the Config File

Copy or move your newly created .cfg file into the cfg folder mentioned above.

Executing the Config File in CS2

Using the Developer Console

1. Enable the Developer Console
   • Launch CS2 and click on the gear icon in the top-left corner to access the Settings menu.
   • Navigate to the Game tab.
   • Locate the Enable Developer Console (~) option and set it to Yes.
2. Open the Developer Console

Press the ~ key (tilde), located below the Esc key on most keyboards, to open the console.

3. Execute Your Config File

In the console, type exec yourfilename.cfg (replace yourfilename with the name of your config file) and press Enter.

Autoexec CS2 Config Files

To have your config file execute automatically every time you launch CS2, follow these steps:

1. Create an autoexec.cfg File
   • Navigate to the CS2 configuration folder, typically located at:
     C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg
   • Create a new text file in this folder and name it autoexec.cfg.
   • Open autoexec.cfg with a text editor (e.g., Notepad++) and add your desired console commands, ensuring each command is on a new line.
   • Save and close the file.
2. Add the +exec autoexec.cfg Parameter to CS2’s Launch Options
   • Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
   • Right-click on Counter-Strike 2 and select Properties.
   • In the General tab, locate the Launch Options field.
   • Enter +exec autoexec.cfg into the Launch Options box.

How to Transfer CS2 Config Files

Backing up and transferring your Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) configuration files ensures that your personalized settings are preserved and can be applied across different systems. Here’s how to do it:

Backing Up Config Files

1. Locate the Config Directory

Open File Explorer and navigate to the CS2 configuration folder, typically found at:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg

2. Identify Your Config Files

Look for files such as config.cfg or any custom .cfg files you’ve created (e.g., autoexec.cfg).

3. Copy the Config Files

Select the desired config files, right-click, and choose Copy.

4. Choose a Backup Location
   • Navigate to a safe location on your computer or an external storage device.
   • Right-click and select Paste to save the copied config files.

Transferring Config Files to Another System

1. Prepare the Destination System

Ensure that CS2 is installed on the new computer.

2. Access the Config Directory on the New System

On the new computer, open File Explorer and navigate to the CS2 config folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg

3. Transfer the Config Files
   • Connect the external storage device or access the location where you backed up your config files.
   • Copy the config files from the backup location.
   • Paste them into the cfg folder on the new system.
4. Verify and Execute the Config Files
   • Launch CS2 on the new system.
   • Open the developer console by pressing the ~ key.
   • Type exec yourconfig.cfg (replace yourconfig.cfg with the name of your config file) and press Enter to apply the settings.

How to Set Up CS2 Binds

Enabling the Developer Console

1. Launch CS2 and click on the gear icon to access Settings.
2. Navigate to the Game tab.
3. Set Enable Developer Console (~) to Yes.
4. Press the ~ key (below the Esc key) to open the console.

Graphics and Performance Tweaks

To enhance performance and achieve smoother gameplay, consider adding the following commands to your config file:

• fps_max 0
  • Description: Removes the frame rate cap, allowing CS2 to run at the maximum FPS your system can handle.
  • Usage: fps_max 0
• cl_disable_ragdolls 1
  • Description: Disables ragdoll physics for player corpses, reducing CPU load.
  • Usage: cl_disable_ragdolls 1
• vprof_off
  • Description: Turns off the VProf profiler, which can improve performance on CPU-bound systems.
  • Usage: vprof_off
• cl_autohelp 0
  • Description: Disables in-game hints, potentially improving performance.
  • Usage: cl_autohelp 0
• cl_hide_avatar_images 1
  • Description: Hides player avatar images, freeing up resources.
  • Usage: cl_hide_avatar_images 1

Incorporating these commands can lead to a more responsive gaming experience.

Control and Sensitivity Settings

Personalizing controls and mouse sensitivity enhances comfort and performance:

• Mouse Sensitivity:
  • Command: sensitivity [value]
  • Description: Sets the mouse sensitivity. Adjust the [value] to your preference (e.g., sensitivity 2.5).
• Disable Mouse Acceleration:
  • Command: m_rawinput 1
  • Description: Enables raw mouse input, bypassing Windows acceleration settings.
• Key Bindings:
  • Command: bind [key] [action]
  • Description: Assigns a specific action to a key. For example, bind f “use weapon_flashbang” binds the ‘F’ key to throw a flashbang.

These adjustments allow for a more intuitive control scheme tailored to your playstyle.

Crosshair and HUD Customization

Optimizing your crosshair and HUD can improve visibility and gameplay awareness:

• Crosshair Style:
  • Command: cl_crosshairstyle [number]
  • Description: Changes the crosshair style. Options range from 0 to 5, with each number representing a different style.
• Crosshair Color:
  • Command: cl_crosshaircolor [number]
  • Description: Sets the crosshair color. Values are:
    • 0 – Red
    • 1 – Green
    • 2 – Yellow
    • 3 – Blue
    • 4 – Cyan
    • 5 – Custom (requires additional RGB settings)
• Crosshair Size:
  • Command: cl_crosshairsize [value]
  • Description: Adjusts the size of the crosshair. Increase or decrease the [value] to find your preferred size.
• HUD Scaling:
  • Command: hud_scaling [value]
  • Description: Scales the HUD elements. A [value] between 0.5 and 0.95 is recommended for optimal visibility.

Mastering CS2 Config Files

Configuration files in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) are powerful tools that allow players to personalize their gaming experience. By using config files, you can optimize graphics settings for better performance, customize control layouts for comfort, and adjust crosshair and HUD elements to improve visibility and gameplay.

The ability to save and transfer these settings ensures consistency across gaming sessions and systems, making config files invaluable for both casual and competitive players. Setting up auto-execution ensures that your preferences are applied seamlessly every time you launch the game.

Experimentation is the key to discovering the best configuration for your playstyle. Whether you’re refining your crosshair, optimizing key bindings for faster reactions, or tweaking performance for smoother gameplay, testing various settings will help you find what works best for you.