Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsInstall Garry’s Mod from its Steam Library page, then use Start New Game to load a solo map. You do not need another Source game to install or begin a basic sandbox session; some multiplayer servers and modes may require other games. This walkthrough covers the Steam install, first map, default controls, optional Workshop addons, and what to try if the game will not start.
Check the current system requirements
Garry’s Mod is installed and launched through Steam. Check the Garry’s Mod Steam store listing for the requirements that apply to your platform. The Windows figures below are from the listing checked on October 4, 2026; requirements and platform compatibility can change.
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| Windows requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Windows 10/11 |
| Processor | 2 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | 1 GB dedicated VRAM | 4 GB dedicated VRAM |
| DirectX | Version 9.0c | Not stated on the listing |
| Internet | Broadband internet | Not stated on the listing |
| Available storage | 10 GB | 25 GB |
The Steam listing also provides separate macOS and SteamOS/Linux requirement entries. Refer to the live listing’s row for your operating system rather than assuming the Windows figures apply. These are published requirements, not a guarantee of a particular frame rate or performance on your hardware.
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Install Garry’s Mod through Steam
- Open the Steam store listing. Sign in to Steam and go to Garry’s Mod on Steam. If you own the game, use the listing’s install option to add it to your Steam Library. If you do not own it, Steam will present the available purchase option first.
- Choose an install location if prompted. Steam’s screens can vary by client version and operating system. Follow the client prompts and make sure the selected drive has room for the listing’s stated storage requirement.
- Wait for Steam to finish downloading and installing. You can check progress in the Steam client’s Downloads view. When installation is complete, open the Library, select Garry’s Mod, and choose Play.
Steam’s publisher note says: “Some multiplayer servers and game-modes might require you to own other games – such as Counter-Strike: Source and Team Fortress 2.” That caveat concerns some servers and modes; it is not a blanket prerequisite for installing Garry’s Mod or starting a standalone solo map.
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Start a first solo sandbox session
Once the game opens, its main menu gives you a direct route into a map without joining a server.
- Choose Start New Game from the main menu.
- Select an installed map. If you start without selecting one, Facepunch’s Quick Start documents
gm_flatgrassas the default map. - Choose Start Game to load in. You begin alone in the map with the Physics Gun.
Learn the two default menus
The quickest way to understand the sandbox is to try the Spawn Menu and Context Menu. These are default bindings; you can change key assignments in the game’s options.
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- Hold Q for the Spawn Menu. It provides props, NPCs, weapons, entities, and tools. Click an item to spawn it. The menu gives you a cursor while it is open. Facepunch’s Quick Start says, “A good start would be opening the Spawn Menu.”
- Hold C for the Context Menu. It lets you interact with menu options without changing your view direction, and includes player-model and Physics Gun appearance controls.
Choose between solo play and multiplayer
| Starting point | What you do | Setup considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Solo sandbox | Choose Start New Game and load an installed map. | Uses the base game and a map available in your installation; it is the most direct way to begin. |
| Multiplayer | Choose Find Multiplayer Game and use the server browser. | Some servers or game modes may require other games or additional content. Requirements depend on the server or mode. |
The main menu also includes Addons and Options. Its Installed Games list shows compatible Steam games and whether each is installed and mounted. A missing mounted game can affect which content is available, but that does not make it necessary for the first standalone session.
Add Workshop addons when you want more content
Addons are optional user-created extensions, not a required part of installation. Facepunch lists examples including vehicles, weapons, models, tools, and NPCs. You can get them from the in-game Addons menu or through the Garry’s Mod Steam Workshop. Steam’s Garry’s Mod store page describes the Workshop as having “over 300’000 models, maps, and contraptions to download”; that is the publisher’s rounded page figure, not an independently audited live count.
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For a simple first session, start with the base game and add Workshop content only when you know what you want to try. To manage subscriptions in game:
- Open Addons from the main menu.
- Go to Subscriptions.
- Select an addon to install or uninstall it, or enable or disable it.
Addons can add content and dependencies. If a problem starts after adding one, disabling or uninstalling that addon can help narrow down whether it is involved.
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If Garry’s Mod will not start
Startup problems have different causes, so avoid treating any one launch option or repair as a guaranteed fix. Follow the instructions for the specific error in Facepunch’s Garry’s Mod startup troubleshooting guide. The guide includes verifying the game’s files for some issues, using -autoconfig to let Steam configure the game, and launch options that disable addons or Workshop in certain troubleshooting cases. Use only the steps relevant to your issue, then remove temporary troubleshooting launch options when they are no longer needed.
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