Install first
Free Fly install checklist
Use this page before your first event session. The goal is simple: get the game installed cleanly so you do not waste Free Fly time on avoidable setup problems.
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Quick answer
Short checklist
Your first Free Fly impression is often decided before you ever launch. Use SSD storage, finish the install cleanly, then test the menu once before you plan a real session.
- Storage matters more than pre-launch tinkering. A clean SSD install is more important than chasing settings before you even get in.
- Keep enough free space. Star Citizen is large, updates are heavy, and a cramped drive can turn a setup issue into “the game feels broken.”
- Confirm the install once. One clean launch test is worth more than finding out mid-session that the launcher is still unstable.
- Use this page only for setup. The wider event flow stays on the full Free Fly guide.
Do this now
- Install to SSD or NVMe and avoid HDD for your trial if you want a fair first impression.
- Leave free space on the drive so the launcher and game are not fighting a full disk from the start.
- Let the launcher finish cleanly instead of interrupting it with other heavy downloads and installs.
- Launch once into the menu before you commit to a real event session.
- If the game still feels rough after a clean install, move to the performance guide instead of guessing.
What usually goes wrong
| Mistake | What happens | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Installing on the wrong drive | Loads drag, streaming hitches, and the whole test feels worse than it should. | Move the game to SSD or NVMe before you judge the trial. |
| Running out of space mid-install or patch | You get loops, failures, or partial installs that waste event time. | Free up space first and reinstall cleanly if the setup is already compromised. |
| Jumping straight into a live session without checking the install | You troubleshoot under pressure in the middle of Free Fly. | Do one clean menu launch first, then run your first real loop. |
Next steps
- Open the full Free Fly guide if you want the wider event path and what to test.
- Run the first-session plan next once the install is clean and you want the shortest fair trial.
- Open the performance guide if the game still feels rough after a clean setup.
FAQ
Can I move the game later?
Yes, but the clean beginner version is installing to SSD from the start so your first event session is not wasted by a weak setup choice.
Does SSD really matter that much?
For Star Citizen, yes. Storage is one of the biggest beginner setup factors behind long loads and hitching.
Do I need special launcher tweaks before I start?
No. The high-value checks are simpler: enough SSD space, a clean install, and one launch test before you plan a real session.
What if the launcher fails repeatedly?
Restart it, avoid heavy parallel downloads, and reinstall to a clean folder if the launcher keeps failing.
Where should I go after install?
Use the Free Fly first-session plan for your first real test. If the game still feels rough after a clean install, move to the performance guide.