Play online
Dual protocol 47/48 client with a working server browser (Internet, Favorites, LAN). Joins non-Steam and most Steam community servers. Need one? See the CS 1.6 server list.
Warzone Edition · since 2011
Counter-Strike 1.6 Download
Free CS 1.6 download for Windows: the classic Counter-Strike in one clean installer. No ads, no toolbars, no bundled software. Install it, launch it, play.
- Version 1.1.2.6 · build 4554
- Protocol 47 + 48
- Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7
- Price free, no account
Freeno account, no Steam
Cleanno ads, no bundles
Botsplay offline too
15+years online
What is in the CS 1.6 download
A full Counter-Strike 1.6 setup: the game, bots for offline practice and a server you can host yourself. Nothing you did not ask for.
Bots built in
Practice on de_dust2, de_inferno or de_nuke offline. Add bots from the menu or with bot_add in the console.
Host your own server
Includes a dedicated server and HLTV. Start a LAN game from the menu or run a permanent server for your clan.
Clean install
Original game files, no in-game advertising and no browser toolbars. Uninstall from Windows Settings like any other program.
Protection
Protected against slowhacking servers that try to change your config, binds or name. Compatible with sXe Injected.
Ready for mods
Metamod-P and AMX Mod X 1.8.2 included for server owners, disabled by default so the client stays vanilla.
How to install CS 1.6
- Download the installer above (278 MB) or the torrent.
- Check the file (optional): compare its SHA-256 with the one below.
- Run the installer and pick a folder. If Windows SmartScreen shows "Windows protected your PC", click More info and then Run anyway.
- Launch Counter-Strike 1.6 from the desktop shortcut, set your name and resolution under Options, and join a server or start a game with bots.
Verify your download
Every release is published with its SHA-256 checksum. If yours matches, you have exactly the file we published.
0d7bc42c56b0f0ee4bbf6e2178db5adbf145295ba4e5dee7532e1c0858ea3fe3
In PowerShell, in your Downloads folder:
Get-FileHash .\Counter-Strike-1.6-Warzone.exe
System requirements
CS 1.6 runs on almost anything made in the last 20 years, including office laptops with integrated graphics.
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | 7 (32 or 64-bit) | 10 or 11 |
| Processor | 1 GHz | 2 GHz dual core |
| Memory | 512 MB RAM | 2 GB RAM |
| Graphics | OpenGL, 64 MB | Any GPU from the last 10 years |
| Disk | 700 MB free | 1 GB free |
| Network | For online play | Broadband, low ping |
Useful console commands
Open the console with the ~ key (enable it under Options › Keyboard › Advanced).
connect 1.2.3.4:27015 | Join a server by IP |
retry | Reconnect to the last server |
name "player" | Change your nickname |
fps_max 100 | Cap frames per second |
net_graph 3 | Show FPS, ping and loss |
rate 25000 | Network rate for broadband |
cl_updaterate 101 | Updates received per second |
cl_cmdrate 101 | Updates sent per second |
bot_add | Add a bot (offline game) |
Questions & answers
Is CS 1.6 Warzone free?
Yes. The download is free, there is no account to create and no Steam needed. The official Counter-Strike release is sold by Valve on Steam; Warzone is an independent community edition.
Is this Counter-Strike 1.6 or Counter-Strike 2?
This is a Counter-Strike 1.6 download, the 2003 classic that still has thousands of community servers. Counter-Strike 2 is a different game: it is free on Steam and needs a much stronger PC. CS 1.6 runs on almost any Windows computer.
Does it work on Windows 11 and Windows 10?
Yes. If the game starts with a black screen, open Options › Video and choose a resolution your monitor supports, or set the renderer to OpenGL. Updated graphics drivers fix most other display problems.
Is the download safe?
The installer contains the game and nothing else: no adware, no toolbars, no miners. Compare its SHA-256 checksum with the one on this page; if it matches, the file is exactly the one we published. Download only from cswarzone.com, because copies re-uploaded on other sites can be modified.
Why does Windows SmartScreen warn about the installer?
SmartScreen warns about programs that have not yet been downloaded by many people since their last change. Click More info and Run anyway after you have checked the SHA-256 checksum.
Can I play online with this version?
Yes. Use the in-game server browser or type connect IP:port in the console. The client speaks protocol 47 and 48, so it joins non-Steam servers and community servers that allow non-Steam players. Servers that require a Steam login will not accept it.
Can I play offline with bots?
Yes. Choose New Game, pick a map and add bots from the bot menu (H key) or type bot_add in the console. Bot difficulty is set with bot_difficulty 0-3.
How do I host a server for my friends?
For a quick LAN game choose New Game in the menu. For a permanent internet server, use the included dedicated server (HLDS) and open UDP port 27015 on your router.
How do I get more FPS?
Set fps_max 100, lower the resolution in Options › Video, and turn on net_graph 3 to watch frame rate and ping while you play.
How do I uninstall it?
Open Windows Settings › Apps, find Counter-Strike 1.6 and click Uninstall. The game leaves nothing else behind.