To download GTA San Andreas on a Windows 10 PC, buy Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition from the Rockstar Store, sign in to the Rockstar Games Launcher with the same account, choose the game in My Library, and select Install Now. Steam and the Epic Games Store sell the same trilogy if you’d rather keep your games there.
Applies to: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition on 64-bit Windows 10. Checked against Rockstar Games Customer Support on October 6, 2026.
Which version of San Andreas you can buy
The PC version on sale today is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition, a remaster of the original game. The official stores sell it as part of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, which also includes Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. San Andreas has its own page on Steam, but the purchase option on that page is the trilogy.
These are the legitimate places to buy it for PC:
| Store | What you buy | What you need to play |
|---|---|---|
| Rockstar Store | The trilogy, listed at $59.99 when checked | A Rockstar Games account and the Rockstar Games Launcher |
| Steam | The trilogy, bought from the San Andreas or trilogy store page | A Steam account, the Steam app, and a Rockstar Games account |
| Epic Games Store | The trilogy, listed at $59.99 when checked | An Epic Games account, plus a Rockstar Games account for some features |
Prices drop during sales, so compare the three stores before you pay. Sites that offer the game as a free download are not legitimate. Free copies of paid games from other sites often hide harmful software, and they aren’t licensed.
Check that your PC can run it
The Definitive Edition needs far more power than the original game, so check your PC before buying. These are the requirements Rockstar publishes for San Andreas – The Definitive Edition on PC:
| Part | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD FX-6300 | Intel Core i7-2700K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 |
| Memory | 8GB | 16GB |
| Video card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 2GB or AMD Radeon R9 280 3GB | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 4GB or AMD Radeon RX 570 4GB |
| Storage | 45GB | 45GB |
A few points in that list catch people out:
- 64-bit Windows is required. A PC running the 32-bit version of Windows 10 doesn’t meet the requirements.
- Laptop graphics may not be enough. Rockstar notes that some mobile chipsets and integrated graphics cards may not work, even when the rest of the laptop is fast enough.
- Storage figures differ by store. Rockstar lists 45GB. The Steam page for San Andreas lists 19 GB of available space. Planning for the larger number is the safe choice, because the trilogy contains three games.
- Windows 7 and Windows 8 are out. The Epic Games Store listing says the game stopped supporting them on January 30, 2024.
Rockstar also says that installing the game adds other software it depends on, including the Rockstar Games platform, DirectX, and Microsoft Visual C++ files. That’s expected, and it’s why the installer may ask for permission more than once. The full list is on Rockstar’s page for the San Andreas – The Definitive Edition PC system requirements.
Download GTA San Andreas with the Rockstar Games Launcher
Buying from Rockstar is the most direct route, because the game needs a Rockstar Games account whichever store you use. You’ll need an internet connection, about 45GB of free space, and a payment method.
- Open the Rockstar Store page for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in your web browser.
- Select Buy Now. Sign in to your Rockstar Games account when asked, then complete the purchase. Rockstar applies the game to the account that made the purchase, so note which email address you used.
- Download the Rockstar Games Launcher from Rockstar’s website and install it. Rockstar’s support article on the Rockstar Games Launcher download links to the official file.
- Open the launcher and sign in with the same Rockstar Games account you used in the store.
- Go to the Games area and open My Library. Your purchase is listed there.
- Choose the game, then select Install Now. The launcher downloads and installs the files. With a download this large, expect it to take a while on a slower connection.
- When the install finishes, start the game from the launcher.
You don’t download a setup file for the game itself. Rockstar says digital purchases from its store are made available through the Rockstar Games Launcher, so the launcher is the only download you start by hand.
Download it through Steam instead
Choose Steam if your other games are already there and you want one library. The game still signs in to a Rockstar Games account, which the Steam store page lists as a requirement.
- Install the Steam app and sign in. If you don’t have it yet, see how to install Steam on Windows 10.
- Search the Steam store for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition and open its page.
- Add the trilogy to your cart and complete the purchase.
- Open your Steam library, choose the game, and start the install. Steam downloads the files for you.
- Start the game from Steam and sign in to your Rockstar Games account when it asks.
If you also have the Rockstar Games Launcher installed, a Steam copy appears in its My Library section with a Play on Steam button. Steam still manages that copy, and Rockstar notes that Steam must be running for the game to update.
Download it through the Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store also sells the trilogy. Buy it on the trilogy’s store page while signed in to your Epic Games account, then install it from your library in the Epic Games Launcher. The listing says some features need a Rockstar Games account, so have those sign-in details ready the first time you start the game.
If you already own the game or have a code
You don’t need to buy the game again if it’s already attached to one of your accounts.
- You bought it before. Sign in to the launcher for the store you used. The game is in that library, ready to install.
- You have a Rockstar Activation Code. In the Rockstar Games Launcher, select your avatar in the top right, select Redeem Code, enter the code, select Check, tick the box to confirm what your account will receive, and select Redeem. Codes work once and are tied for good to the account that’s signed in, so check the account first.
- You own the original game. Rockstar still lists the original Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as a title the launcher supports, and publishes Windows 10 64-bit requirements for it with 4.7GB of storage. A copy on Steam or installed from a disc can be added to the launcher: go to Settings > General > Scan PC for supported installs and select Scan Now. A disc copy shows a Play on Disk button. The launcher won’t download, install, or update a disc copy, and cloud saves aren’t supported for it.
Rockstar doesn’t move a purchase between stores. Its support site says it can’t provide key transfers or exchanges, so a copy bought on Steam stays on Steam.
Check that the install worked
The game should start from the launcher you installed it with. If it won’t start or crashes early, check the files before reinstalling. In the Rockstar Games Launcher:
- Sign in and go to Settings.
- Under My installed games on the left, select the game.
- Under Verify game file integrity on the right, select Verify Integrity.
When the check finishes, a message above the system tray says the game is verified and ready to play. Rockstar’s steps are in How to verify game files in the Rockstar Games Launcher.
Troubleshooting
The launcher only shows Play On Steam and there’s no install option
This happens when you bought the game from Rockstar but a Steam version of it is already on the PC. Rockstar’s fix is to close Steam, find the game’s folder inside C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common, and temporarily rename that folder. Restart the Rockstar Games Launcher, choose the game from My Library, and select Install Now. Change the folder name back after the install finishes.
The game isn’t in My Library
Check which account is signed in. The purchase belongs to the Rockstar Games account that bought it, and a second account won’t show it. If you bought the game on Steam or Epic, install it from that store’s app.
The launcher can’t connect or the download stalls
Rockstar’s connection advice starts with the basics: confirm your internet works and check the Rockstar Games Service Status page for an outage. It lists a minimum download speed of 7.5 Mbps and suggests trying a wired connection if Wi-Fi keeps failing. Unplugging the router for about 10 minutes, plugging it back in, and restarting the launcher is the next step.
There isn’t enough space
Free up space or pick another internal drive. Rockstar recommends installing on an internal hard drive, not an external USB drive, because USB drives run slower.
The game is installed but won’t run properly
Rockstar’s basic PC troubleshooting covers the usual causes. Install pending Windows updates, update your video driver, and close overlay, recording, or screen sharing software. Security software can interfere with activation, so add an exception for the game if your antivirus is blocking it. Rockstar also notes that some games need administrator permission to use everything they require.
It’s a work or school PC
Installing a launcher needs permission to make changes to the PC. On a computer managed by an employer or school, that permission is usually held by the IT department, and game stores may be blocked. Use a personal PC.
Frequently asked questions
Is GTA San Andreas free on PC?
No. It’s a paid game, sold on PC inside Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. Wait for a sale on the Rockstar Store, Steam, or the Epic Games Store if the full price is too high.
Can I buy San Andreas without the other two games?
Not on the stores checked for this article. The Rockstar Store and the Epic Games Store sell the trilogy, and the San Andreas page on Steam offers the trilogy as its purchase option.
How big is the download?
Rockstar lists 45GB of storage for the Definitive Edition. Steam’s page for San Andreas lists 19 GB of available space. The original game needs 4.7GB.
Do I need a Rockstar Games account if I buy on Steam?
Yes. Steam lists a Rockstar Games Social Club account as a requirement, and Rockstar says players need a Rockstar Games account to play.
Will it run on Windows 11?
Rockstar’s published requirement is Windows 10 64-bit and it doesn’t list Windows 11 separately, so check the store page before you buy for a Windows 11 PC.
Is it still safe to play on Windows 10?
The game runs, but Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. A Windows 10 PC keeps working without regular security updates, which makes it more exposed to viruses and malware. That matters on a PC where you sign in to store accounts and pay for games. Microsoft explains the options on its Windows 10 end of support page. If your PC qualifies, see how to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free.
Can I get the game from Microsoft Store?
The stores confirmed for this article are the Rockstar Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. For games that are sold in Microsoft Store, see how to download games on a Windows 10 PC.
Once the game is installed, run Verify Integrity if anything looks wrong, and keep the launcher signed in so the game can update.
Related: how to download GTA Vice City on Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.