Genshin Impact is only available through official sources. This guide covers the legitimate installation path — do not use third-party installers, cracked clients or unofficial “unlockers”, which risk malware and account bans.
Step 1: Download the official launcher
Go to the official Genshin Impact website and download HoYoPlay (HoYoverse’s official game launcher). Avoid any site other than the official one — search results sometimes surface fake download pages.
Step 2: Install and sign in
Run the downloaded installer, then open HoYoPlay and sign in with a HoYoverse account, or create one if you’re new. If you’ve played on mobile or console before, sign in with that same account to keep your progress.
Step 3: Download the game
Inside HoYoPlay, select Genshin Impact and click Install. The initial download is large — budget at least 30 GB of free space, and more if you plan to keep voice-over packs for multiple languages.
Step 4: Check your system meets requirements
Before launching, compare your PC against the minimum and recommended specs above. If you’re near the minimum spec, start with lower graphics settings and adjust from there — see our guide on improving FPS for tuning tips that apply broadly to PC gaming.
Step 5: Launch and configure
On first launch, open Settings and set your target resolution and graphics quality. Windowed or borderless windowed mode is usually smoother for switching between the game and other apps.
Improving your experience
Once installed, a comfortable mouse matters more than people expect in an action RPG with a lot of camera movement and quick targeting — see our recommendation below if your current mouse feels sluggish or heavy.
