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Squadron 42 is not available to download yet. It remains in development, and RSI says it will become downloadable to accounts with a pledge that includes the game after development, testing and release are complete. You can prepare your PC now, but RSI has not published a final download size or release-specific system requirements. RSI’s availability update was last updated February 4, 2026.
How much space should you reserve?
There is no confirmed Squadron 42 download or installation size to plan around yet. RSI’s current game and launcher requirements list a 150+ GB SSD for CIG games, including Star Citizen and Squadron 42. The same page recommends at least 100 GB for the RSI Launcher and Star Citizen installation, plus at least 10 GB of additional SSD space for the Windows pagefile.
Those figures are current general CIG game and launcher guidance; they are not a confirmed size for a standalone Squadron 42 installation. Keep extra free space available if you can: RSI warns that a nearly full drive can cause problems during updates or file verification. Its launcher does not check whether the selected drive has enough free space, so you need to check it yourself.
Check the drive you plan to use
- Make sure it is an SSD. RSI lists an SSD as required for CIG games and says one is required for the launcher.
- Check usable free space on that specific drive. Do not rely on the launcher to flag inadequate capacity. Recheck before a large download or update.
- Check the file system. RSI recommends NTFS formatting for the installation drive.
- Confirm the drive works with your PC. If you need more storage, choose an SSD based on your system’s compatibility and the usable capacity you need. A storage upgrade can help with general readiness, but it cannot establish Squadron 42’s eventual capacity requirement.
Check Windows and memory
RSI’s requirements page, updated December 17, 2025, lists Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 and 16 GB or more of RAM for CIG games. Treat these as current published guidance, not guaranteed final requirements for Squadron 42 at release; RSI may update them before the game becomes available.
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Prepare a fresh Windows installation
If you recently installed or reformatted Windows, RSI’s launcher guidance says to complete these readiness checks for its launcher and Star Citizen:
- Install all available Windows updates and confirm they have finished applying.
- Check that .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.5.2 are installed.
- If you use a Windows N or KN edition, install the latest Media Feature Pack. RSI says ordinary US Windows Home or Pro does not need this pack.
These are launcher and Star Citizen troubleshooting checks, not confirmed Squadron 42-specific release requirements. The relevant RSI guidance was updated May 27, 2026: Windows Installation Troubleshooting.
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When the download becomes available
RSI’s launcher instructions explain how to select an installation location, manage downloads and check files. When Squadron 42 is available to your account, use the official RSI account and launcher flow, then check the following:
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Choose the intended installation location. Confirm the launcher is pointed to the drive and folder where you want the game. If the selected location does not match where files actually reside, the launcher may treat the game as not installed.
- Adjust download behavior if needed. In the launcher’s Download options, set a speed limit or change the number of concurrent downloads to suit your connection and household network use. RSI documents the defaults as unlimited speed and maximum concurrent downloads.
- Use Verify if files appear damaged. The launcher’s Verify control can check game files and may help resolve corrupted or broken files.
See RSI’s RSI Launcher instructions for its current installation and download controls.
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