You're not stuck with the Catalog. Any game you own on Steam or Epic Games can be installed inside the virtual PC, and those installations stay on the platform between sessions. The catch: only Steam and Epic. Other launchers and standalone installers don't persist — install them and they're gone after the session ends.
Steam
- From the Game Catalog, open the Steam tile (or any tile that launches Steam).
- Sign in to your Steam account.
- Open your library, find the game you want, click Install.
- Wait for the download. Servers have gigabit internet, so a 50 GB game typically downloads in 5–10 minutes.
- Launch the game. Done.
Next session, the same game is already installed. Click its tile in the Catalog or launch from Steam — it picks up where you left off.
⚠️ Two-factor on Steam: if you've turned on Steam Guard with a mobile authenticator, keep your phone nearby for the sign-in. There's no way to sign in without the second factor.
Epic Games
- Open the Epic Games tile from the Catalog.
- Sign in to your Epic account.
- Library → click the game → Install.
Epic downloads tend to be slightly slower than Steam at peak hours; this is on Epic's CDN, not on us.
What about saves
Enable cloud sync in the launcher you use:
- Steam: Settings → Cloud → Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for applications which support it. Most modern games support it.
- Epic: Settings → tick Cloud Saves.
Without cloud sync, your save files live inside the virtual PC's filesystem. They survive as long as the install survives (see "How long your installed games are kept"), but if a game gets rotated out, local saves disappear with it. Cloud sync is the safety net.
What about other launchers
Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, Rockstar Launcher, GOG Galaxy, EA App, and similar: you can install them and run them, but they don't persist between sessions. Two consequences:
- Re-install every session. Annoying for a 3-hour package, painful for a 20-hour one.
- Save files saved outside cloud sync are wiped with the launcher.
For a game that uses one of these launchers (e.g. EA games run through EA App, Rockstar games through Rockstar Launcher), the practical recommendation is: if Steam has the same title, buy and play it on Steam. If it's exclusive to another launcher, factor in the re-install time when you start your session.
What about random installers, portable apps, and downloads
Downloaded .exe files, portable applications, mod tools, files you save to the desktop — none of this persists. The virtual PC's filesystem outside Steam and Epic install directories is wiped between sessions.
If you need a tool every session, you'll need to install it every session, or look for a Steam/Epic alternative.
What about torrents
The virtual PC has a torrent client pre-installed and we don't restrict torrent downloads — you're responsible for what you download. The same persistence rule applies: anything outside Steam/Epic install directories is gone next session.
Speed of game downloads
| Connection on the server | Typical |
|---|---|
| Download throughput | 1 Gbit/s (gigabit) |
| 50 GB game | ~5–10 min |
| 100 GB game | ~10–20 min |
Your local internet doesn't affect download speed inside the VM — the download happens on the server. Your connection only affects the streaming of the picture and your input.
Recommended workflow for serial visitors
If you play several different games regularly:
- Install all of them through Steam (or Epic) once. They persist.
- Make sure cloud saves are on for each.
- Next sessions, just play — no re-installs needed.
The more often you play any given title, the longer it stays on the platform. Idle titles eventually rotate out — see the next article for the retention rules.