To run Batocera on a PC, download the x86_64 image, flash it to a USB drive or other bootable storage, then start the PC from that device. A keyboard can navigate Batocera’s menus; mouse behavior depends on the game and emulator. The steps below cover a reversible USB setup first, plus the precautions for installing to an internal drive.
What you need before installing Batocera
- A PC that can boot from USB. Batocera’s PC image is intended for desktop PCs, laptops, NUCs, and Intel-based Apple computers.
- A USB flash drive, SD card, hard drive, or SSD. Batocera lists 16 GB as the minimum and recommends 32 GB for full functionality. A 32 GB or larger USB drive is a straightforward choice for the standard setup; no particular brand or speed class is specified. See the official installation guide.
- An image-flashing tool, such as Raspberry Pi Imager or USBImager, and a keyboard for setup. A mouse is useful in supported scenarios but is not required to navigate EmulationStation.
Important: Flashing erases the selected destination drive. Check its name and capacity carefully before confirming; choosing the wrong drive can destroy its existing files.
Download and flash the PC image
- Open Batocera’s download page and choose the x86_64 PC image for most contemporary PCs. Releases and download links change, so use the page’s current listing rather than an old saved image.
- Open your flashing tool, select the downloaded Batocera image, and select the USB drive or other storage device as the destination.
- Verify that the destination is the drive you intend to erase, then start the flash and wait for it to complete.
- After flashing, do not accept a computer’s prompt to format the drive. The prompt can appear because the flash changes the partition layout; formatting can wipe Batocera.
Boot Batocera from the USB drive
- Insert the prepared drive into the PC and turn it on or restart it.
- Open the one-time boot menu and choose the Batocera drive. Common keys include F10, F11, and F12, but the correct key and menu labels depend on the PC or motherboard. If needed, consult its manual or set the USB drive first in the firmware boot order.
- Use UEFI boot when available. If the USB device does not appear, check that removable-media boot is enabled; some systems list UEFI drives in a separate firmware submenu.
- Allow the first boot to finish. Batocera expands its SHARE/user-data partition into available space and reboots when the expansion is complete. Do not interrupt it.
Booting from USB lets you try Batocera without replacing the PC’s internal operating system. UEFI is preferred by Batocera’s installation instructions, though it is not essential.
What to do about Secure Boot
If a recent x86/x86_64 PC refuses to boot the USB or displays a Secure Boot verification screen, Secure Boot may be the reason. One option is to disable Secure Boot in firmware, if the PC allows it. Another is Batocera’s documented certificate-enrollment route: Batocera v39 and later supports Secure Boot on x86_64 when its certificate is enrolled in the PC’s Machine Owner Keys. That route requires compatible 64-bit UEFI firmware and a keyboard to complete enrollment. Follow the Batocera Secure Boot instructions; exact firmware steps vary by manufacturer.
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If Windows on the PC is protected by BitLocker, save the recovery key before changing Secure Boot-related firmware settings. A change to TPM measurements may cause Windows to request that key. Do not proceed without a way to recover access to Windows.
USB boot or internal-drive installation?
| Option | What it means | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Boot from USB | Run Batocera from the removable drive without installing it over the internal disk. | More reversible and less likely to affect the existing operating system, but the drive must remain connected to use Batocera. |
| Install to an internal drive | From Batocera, use Main Menu → System Settings → Install Batocera on a New Disk. | Can be more convenient for a dedicated Batocera PC, but the destination is overwritten, including any operating system and files on it. Some motherboards may not boot Batocera from an internal drive. |
If you choose the internal-drive route, verify the destination disk before confirming the install. Do not select a disk that contains an operating system or files you need. Batocera documents the process and warning in its installation guide.
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Navigate Batocera with a keyboard
EmulationStation supports these keyboard shortcuts:
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Enter | Confirm |
| Esc | Cancel |
| Space | Open the main menu |
| Backspace | Select |
| F1 | Open the built-in file manager from the main EmulationStation menu on x86/x86_64 |
These are EmulationStation menu controls, not a promise that every game or emulator uses the same key assignments. The EmulationStation overview lists the menu mappings.
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Use a mouse in games and emulators
Batocera does not use one universal mouse setup for every game. Input configuration can differ by system and emulator; some emulators also have their own control menus. If a game needs a mouse or the mouse behaves unexpectedly, check that system’s advanced settings and the relevant emulator’s input options. Batocera’s per-emulator control remapping guide explains the variation.
A standard keyboard and mouse can be useful for PC setup and supported input, but Batocera does not prescribe a special gaming model or a single general-purpose mouse wizard. Some laptop touchpads or keyboards may not be supported under Linux, as noted in the installation guide’s MacBook section. If an input device does not work, first check whether Batocera recognizes it, then check whether the selected emulator supports the intended input.
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Fix common installation and input problems
The PC starts its usual operating system instead
Restart and use the one-time boot menu to select the Batocera storage device. If it is absent, check removable-media boot and the firmware boot order; menu names and locations vary by system.
A Secure Boot screen blocks startup
Use the version-appropriate Secure Boot instructions or disable Secure Boot if that is the route you choose and your firmware permits it. On a BitLocker-protected Windows PC, have the recovery key before changing firmware settings.
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The display is black
First determine whether Batocera has booted—for example, whether its splash screen appeared. A blank display after boot can indicate a display problem rather than a failure to start. The installation guide includes troubleshooting guidance.
The flash tool seems to have broken the USB drive
Flashing changes the drive’s partition layout, so another operating system may not show it as an ordinary USB drive. Batocera’s installation guide links to instructions for reusing the drive after installation.
The keyboard or mouse works in menus but not as expected in a game
Menu controls and game controls are not necessarily the same. Check the specific system’s advanced settings and the emulator’s own control options; see the control remapping guide.
What comes after the first boot
Installing Batocera does not add your game collection or any BIOS files that a system may require. Batocera’s getting-started guide links to separate instructions for adding ROM and BIOS files, navigating EmulationStation, connecting to Wi-Fi, and updating Batocera. PC emulation performance also depends on the hardware, especially the CPU and GPU; installation alone does not guarantee that every emulator will run well. Batocera discusses hardware considerations in its PC selection guide.
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