launchbox

Brian Faeran

Beginner guides for installing, setting up, and using LaunchBox for Windows.

Getting Started

Learn what LaunchBox does, how games, platforms, emulators, and your library work together, and how LaunchBox differs from Big Box.

Welcome to LaunchBox: What It Is and How It Works

Follow a beginner-friendly first-session path from downloading and installing LaunchBox to importing, checking, and successfully playing your first game.

Your First 15 Minutes: Install LaunchBox and Play Your First Game

Learn the main areas of the LaunchBox desktop and how to browse, search, filter, sort, edit, manage, and play games.

A Beginner's Tour of the LaunchBox Desktop

Understand the files and software used for emulation and learn how LaunchBox connects a game to its emulator, core, BIOS, firmware, and dependencies.

Emulation Basics: ROMs, Emulators, Cores, BIOS, and Firmware

Learn how to use the Automated ROM Import system to quickly get your games in LaunchBox so you have more time to play!

Automated ROM Imports

Learn when to use the Single Platform Import Wizard and how to add one system with full control over files, emulators, metadata, media, and advanced options.

Single Platform Imports

LaunchBox has long been the go-to frontend for retro gaming, but it's also become a powerhouse for modern game libraries. With support for multiple storefronts like Steam, GOG, Epic Games, Amazon, EA, Ubisoft, and Xbox, LaunchBox makes it easy to bring your entire collection—past and present—into one unified experience.

Managing Storefront Games in LaunchBox

Learn how to import an organized ROM collection for several systems at once using platform folders, mapping, metadata, media, and batch options.

Multi-Platform Imports

Learn how to start a guided import by dropping game files or folders onto LaunchBox, then reviewing platform, emulator, file, and media options.

Drag and Drop Imports

Understand platforms, Scrape As, platform categories, manual and auto-populating playlists, Favorites, sidebar filters, and advanced search in LaunchBox.

Organizing Your Library: Platforms, Categories, Playlists, Favorites, and Filters

Learn how LaunchBox matches games, downloads metadata and media, handles existing content, stores files, and fixes missing or incorrect results.

Metadata and Media Basics

Correct database matches, metadata, media, platforms, launch paths, emulator overrides, versions, and bulk edits without losing working files.

Editing Game Details and Fixing Incorrect Matches

Understand the separate Windows, LaunchBox Desktop, Big Box, emulator gameplay, pause, exit, and focus layers, and configure them in a reliable order.

Understanding Controller Setup: LaunchBox, Big Box, and Emulators

Learn what LaunchBox data backups protect, how automatic and manual backups work, how to restore safely, and what else a complete setup backup needs.

Backing Up and Restoring Your LaunchBox Setup

Learn how LaunchBox points to game files, how to move or copy them safely, and how to repair paths without breaking your library.

Managing Game Files, Folders, and Paths

Choose the correct LaunchBox workflow for single- or multi-platform ROMs, automated folders, storefronts, Windows shortcuts, MAME, DOS, and manual additions.

Choosing the Right Way to Import Your Games

Manually add an installed emulator, connect it to LaunchBox platforms, configure parameter precedence, cores, extraction, dependencies, and safe per-game overrides.

Setting Up an Emulator Manually

Learn what BIOS, firmware, emulator cores, and dependency files do; how LaunchBox verifies supported dependencies; and how to place, troubleshoot, and back them up safely.

BIOS, Firmware, Cores, and Dependency Files

Learn how to find games in LaunchBox Desktop using the sidebar, Search, filters, sorting, views, playlists, Game Details, and badges.

Finding Games: Search, Filters, Views, and Badges

Safely remove games from playlists or your library, understand media and ROM deletion, handle storefront blacklisting, and re-import games without losing more than intended.

Removing and Re-importing Games Safely

Understand local platforms, category hierarchies, Scrape As database matching, emulator associations, folder behavior, renaming, and deletion risks.

Platforms, Platform Categories, and Scrape As Explained

Create manual and auto-populated LaunchBox playlists, save visual filters, control sorting and sidebar placement, manage Big Box visibility, and remove playlists safely.

Playlists: Manual, Auto-Populated, and Filter-Based

Diagnose games that seem missing, duplicate filtering and combining, incorrect platforms or database matches, automated-import issues, and storefront suppression.

Import Troubleshooting: Missing Games, Duplicates, and Wrong Platforms

Customize LaunchBox Desktop by separating themes, views, Image Groups, media priorities, Game Details, boxes, colors, badges, platform media, and performance settings.

Customizing LaunchBox Desktop: Themes, Layouts, Game Details, and Image Types

Understand MAME versions, set types and dependencies, then use LaunchBox’s full-set importer safely with the right clone, CHD, filter, playlist, and update choices.

MAME and Arcade Sets: Full-Set Basics for Beginners

Use multi-selection, Bulk Edit, Audit, metadata downloads, ROM scans, and safe cleanup tools to maintain a large LaunchBox library.

Bulk Editing and Auditing a Large LaunchBox Library

Safely update LaunchBox-managed and manually configured emulators, RetroArch, and cores without losing working paths, platform settings, firmware, saves, or rollback options.

Updating Emulators and RetroArch Cores Without Breaking LaunchBox

Combine multi-disc games into one library entry, distinguish versions from apps, generate or maintain M3U files, swap discs, and protect saves and source files.

Multi-Disc Games and M3U Playlists

Import or install MS-DOS games with LaunchBox’s built-in DOSBox workflows, configure startup files, mounts and per-game settings, and solve common launch problems.

Importing and Managing MS-DOS Games with DOSBox

Add native Windows games that are not imported from a storefront, choose a reliable executable or shortcut, configure paths and arguments, use Additional Apps safely, and troubleshoot launches.

Adding Standalone Windows Games, Executables, and Shortcuts

Choose the right ROM or disc-image file, understand descriptors and companion files, and configure ZIP, 7Z, or RAR extraction safely.

Compressed ROMs and Disc Images: ZIP, 7Z, CUE/BIN, CHD, RVZ, and Extraction

Configure several emulators or RetroArch cores for one platform, choose the default, test alternatives with Launch With, and make safe per-game or bulk changes.

Using Multiple Emulators for One Platform: Defaults, Launch With, and Per-Game Overrides

Import ScummVM game folders through LaunchBox’s current ROM workflow, configure standalone or RetroArch launching, manage saves and variants, and migrate legacy entries safely.

Importing and Managing ScummVM Games

Use LaunchBox safely with NAS and network paths, cloud-synced folders, portable installations, shared ROM libraries, multiple PCs, and reliable backups.

Using LaunchBox with NAS, Network Drives, Cloud Sync, and Multiple PCs

Everything you need to master LaunchBox, all in one place. Packed with tips, tricks, and hidden gems, this guide has the answers to transform managing your game collection into a true quest for greatness.

Feedback

Forums

Discord

AstroBob

Guides for setting up, organizing, customizing, and troubleshooting your LaunchBox for Windows library.

LaunchBox for Windows

Explore LaunchBox for Windows features, workflows, and tools for managing your game library.

Features

An in-depth article explaining everything you need to know about the 3D Box Model System

3D Box Models

Using the Media Cleanup Utility

Media Packs

Managing Save Games and States

LaunchBox's Game Progress Tracking feature gives you complete control over how you track and visualize your progress with any game in your library. Whether you're diving into a new title or wrapping up a long-time favorite, this feature offers a flexible and powerful way to stay on top of your gaming journey.

Game Progress Tracking

Learn how to use LaunchBox Advanced Search switches, including Progress-based searches and practical examples.

Advanced Search

Learn how to integrate RetroAchievements with LaunchBox to unlock, track, and display achievements across your retro game library. Includes setup, scanning, progress tracking, and advanced tips.

RetroAchievements in LaunchBox

Learn how to use Additional Apps in LaunchBox to organize multi-disc games, regional variants, and extra files like strategy guides—all under a single game entry. Includes setup tips, import options, and how to access content in Big Box.

Additional Apps

Video Playback Guide

Big Box Screensaver & Attract Mode

Music in LaunchBox and Big Box

Big Box Navigation Sounds

LaunchBox Reader

Go deeper with advanced LaunchBox for Windows tools, settings, and power-user workflows.

Advanced Features

LaunchBox Built-in Command Line Variables

Region Priority

Learn how to customize the look and feel of LaunchBox and Big Box on Windows.

Theming

Learn how to create, customize, and manage themes for LaunchBox for Windows.

LaunchBox Theming

Learn how to create, customize, and manage themes for Big Box.

Big Box Theming

Startup Themes

Pause Themes

Resources for creating and sharing LaunchBox themes, icons, badges, media packs, and other community content.

Content Creators

Creating Badge Media Packs in LaunchBox and Big Box

Creating Platform Icons Media Packs for LaunchBox and Big Box

Creating Controller Input Media Packs for Big Box

Creating Platform Clear Logo Media Packs for LaunchBox and Big Box

Guides for using plugins and integrations to extend LaunchBox for Windows.

Plugin Integrations

Plugins Overview

Guides for official LaunchBox emulator plugins, including installation, updates, emulator profiles, dependencies, and feature support.

Emulator Plugins

Quick answers to common questions about LaunchBox for Windows.

FAQs

This page explains how to move your LaunchBox setup to a new PC, covering everything from transferring your games and emulators to ensuring dependencies and settings are correctly carried over for a smooth transition.

Moving Your LaunchBox Instance to a New PC

Installing, Updating, and Managing LaunchBox

Troubleshooting LaunchBox & Big Box Performance

Understanding Video Playback for LaunchBox & Big Box in 13.21 and Beyond



Reducing Your LaunchBox Build Size

Here are answers to the most common questions and issues related to LaunchBox licensing.

LaunchBox Licensing FAQ

Big Box Themes and Where They Apply

VLC Removal and FFmpeg Transition in LaunchBox 13.24

LaunchBox Beta Versions

RetroAchievements Support for Nintendo Wii

Troubleshooting guides for common LaunchBox for Windows issues, errors, and setup problems.

Troubleshooting

Could not find file - LaunchBox\Images\[Platform]\[Image Name]

Could Not Load File or Assembly 'CefSharp.Core.Runtime.dll'

How to Fix “SQLite Error 11: database disk image is malformed” error

Troubleshooting: UCEERR_RENDERTHREADFAILURE Error

"Out of Memory" error after resuming from hibernation in LaunchBox or Big Box?

Plugin Access Denied Error

Double Inputs When Navigating Big Box with a Controller

Column ‘Platform’ Does Not Belong to Table File Error

My Game Wont Play in LaunchBox — Step by Step Troubleshooting (and How It All Works)

Troubleshooting: "Year, Month, and Day parameters describe an un-representable DateTime" Error

"Could not install MAME because the archive could not be extracted" Error

Troubleshooting: "Another Instance is Already Running" Error

Steam Game Stuck as “Installing” in LaunchBox

Troubleshooting RetroAchievements Badges in LaunchBox

13.27 Save Management Migration Guide

Why Does My Antivirus Flag LaunchBox?

Latest LaunchBox Versions Supported on Older Windows Versions

Guides for setting up, organizing, customizing, and troubleshooting your LaunchBox for Android library.

LaunchBox for Android

Beginner guides for installing, setting up, and using LaunchBox for Android.

A beginner guide for first launch, Android apps, importing games, emulator setup, options, and themes in LaunchBox for Android.

Getting Started with LaunchBox for Android

Learn how to customize the look and feel of LaunchBox for Android.

Text Bindings

Image Bindings

Wheel and List Types

Trigger bindings allow your theme to change dynamically based on conditions — for example, different layouts in portrait vs landscape.

Trigger Bindings

Alpha-numeric Control

Fonts (LB Android 1.5+)

Converters

Animation Engine (LB Android 1.10+)

Miscellaneous

Explore LaunchBox for Android features, workflows, and tools for managing your game library on mobile.

Importing from Network Drives

Custom Emulator (With Code)

Learn how to use the Steam Import feature added in LaunchBox for Android 1.22 to import Steam games under the Windows platform.

Importing Steam Games

Learn how to use the Security feature added in LaunchBox for Android 1.22 to protect settings and library actions with a four-digit PIN.