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ARC Raiders for PC: How to Download & Install on Windows

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ARC Raiders for PC: How to Download & Install on Windows

Have you ever wanted to fight giant machines, grab rare loot, and escape before other players stop you? Arc raiders download for pc is the search that brings most new players here, and this guide covers the whole process. You will learn what the game is, what your PC needs, and how to install it through Steam in a few simple steps.

ARC Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter from Embark Studios. It launched on 30 October 2025 and won the Most Innovative Gameplay award at the Steam Awards 2025. You play a Raider who scavenges the surface of a ruined Earth while machines called ARC hunt from above. Follow this guide, and you can play on Windows 10 or 11 today.

1. What Is ARC Raiders?

ARC Raiders is a player-versus-player-versus-environment extraction shooter for PC. Machines known as ARC came from space and took over the surface. People now live below ground and send Raiders up to gather supplies. Your job is to go up, loot what you can, and get out alive.

Each trip to the surface is called an expedition. You enter a map, search buildings and ruins, and fight both ARC machines and rival Raiders. Then you must reach an extraction point before the timer runs out. If you die, you lose the gear you took with you.

Between trips, you return to your home base, Speranza, to craft gear, upgrade your workbench, and sell loot. The game runs on the Steam platform and needs the Steam client to download and play.

2. Key Features of ARC Raiders Download for PC

The arc raiders download for pc gives you a tense extraction shooter with no monthly cost. Here are the main features that make it worth your time:

  • Extraction gameplay: Enter a map, loot what you need, and extract before you lose it all.
  • ARC machines: Fight drones, walkers, and giant machines, each with its own weak points.
  • Player-versus-player: Rival Raiders can help you or attack you, so every trip is a risk.
  • Crafting and upgrades: Build weapons, gear, and tools at your workbench in Speranza.
  • Large maps: Explore places such as Dam Battlegrounds and the Buried City, each with its own loot and danger.
  • Progression: Level up your Raider, unlock new skills, and take on harder expeditions.

Tip: Play your first trips alone and move slowly. Learn the maps and the ARC patrols before you risk your best gear.

3. System Requirements for ARC Raiders on PC

ARC Raiders needs a solid PC, so check the list below before you start the download.

  • Operating system: Windows 10 or 11 64-bit.
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at minimum; Intel Core i5-9600K or Ryzen 5 3600 is better.
  • Memory: 12 GB of RAM at minimum; 16 GB is better for smooth play.
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti, AMD RX 580, or Intel Arc A380 at minimum; RTX 2070 or RX 5700 XT is better.
  • DirectX: Version 12.
  • Storage: 50 GB of free space, and a broadband internet connection.

Note: These are the requirements listed on the official Steam page. A faster PC gives you higher frame rates, but the minimum specs above will run the game.

4. ARC Raiders Download for PC: The Official Method (Steam)

The only safe way to get ARC Raiders is through Steam. The Standard edition costs $39.99, so you need to buy it before you can download it. Use the steps below:

  1. Open the official Steam store page for ARC Raiders in your browser.
  2. Sign in to your Steam account, or create a free account if you do not have one.
  3. Click “Add to Cart” and complete the $39.99 purchase to add ARC Raiders to your library.
  4. Open the Steam client on your PC and go to your Library.
  5. Find ARC Raiders in your Library and click “Install”.
  6. Choose the drive with at least 50 GB free, then confirm to start the download.

Important: Download ARC Raiders only from Steam. Other sites may offer fake installers that can harm your PC. The Steam client is needed to download, update, and launch the game.

5. ARC Raiders Download for PC: Step-by-Step Installation

After the download starts, Steam handles most of the work. Follow these steps to finish the install:

  1. Wait for Steam to finish downloading all 50 GB of game files.
  2. Let Steam check the files and finish the install on its own.
  3. Click “Play” in your Steam Library to launch ARC Raiders for the first time.
  4. Allow the game through Windows Firewall when asked, so online play works.
  5. Wait for the first launch to load and check for updates.
  6. Sign in with your Steam account inside the game if asked.
  7. Adjust the graphics settings to match your PC, then restart the game if needed.
  8. Finish the tutorial, then start your first expedition to the surface.

Warning: Do not close Steam or turn off your PC during the download. If the download stops, open Steam again and it will resume from where it stopped.

6. How to Play ARC Raiders on PC

Your first task in ARC Raiders is to finish the tutorial and complete your first expedition. Learn to move, loot, and fight the smaller ARC drones. Then head for the extraction point with your loot.

After each trip, sell what you do not need and craft better gear at your workbench. Take only the gear you can afford to lose, because death means losing what you carried. If you meet another Raider, you can team up or fight, so choose with care.

Once the arc raiders download for pc is done, play a few expeditions each day to learn the maps and the machine patrols. Upgrade your workbench and your Raider Deck to unlock new skills. In short, loot smart, extract safe, and grow step by step.

7. Is ARC Raiders Free? The Price Explained

No, ARC Raiders is not free. It is a paid game, and the Standard edition costs $39.99 on Steam. You pay once, and you can play the full game with no monthly fee. The Steam page lists the Standard edition at $39.99.

  • Standard edition: $39.99 on Steam, one-time purchase.
  • Deluxe edition: $59.99 on Steam. It includes the base game and extra in-game items.
  • Deluxe upgrade: If you already own the Standard edition, you can buy the upgrade to Deluxe for $19.99.

Note: ARC Raiders is not free-to-play, and it is not on Game Pass. You need a free Steam account and the Steam client to play, and there is no monthly subscription.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is ARC Raiders free on PC?

No. ARC Raiders costs $39.99 for the Standard edition on Steam. It is a one-time purchase with no monthly fee.

Q2. How big is the ARC Raiders download?

The download is about 50 GB. Make sure you have at least 50 GB of free space before you install it.

Q3. Do I need Steam to play ARC Raiders?

Yes. You need the Steam client and a free Steam account to buy, download, update, and launch the game.

Q4. Can I play ARC Raiders on Windows 11?

Yes. ARC Raiders works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Your PC must meet the minimum system requirements.

Q5. Is ARC Raiders on Game Pass?

No. ARC Raiders is not on Game Pass. You need to buy it on Steam to play it on PC.

Q6. Can I play ARC Raiders alone?

Yes. You can play solo, and many Raiders prefer solo trips. You can also team up with friends in a squad.

Q7. Can I play ARC Raiders with friends?

Yes. You can add friends on Steam, form a squad, and join the same expedition. The game also supports cross-play with console players.

Q8. Is ARC Raiders good for low-end PCs?

It needs a mid-range PC, with at least 12 GB of RAM and a GTX 1050 Ti level card. Lower the graphics settings for smoother play on older systems.

9. Conclusion

ARC Raiders is a tense and rewarding extraction shooter. The ARC machines, the loot, and the risk of losing it all make every trip to the surface feel alive.

Buy it on Steam for $39.99, check the 50 GB storage need, and follow the steps above. In a short time, you will be raiding your first map. Good luck, Raider.

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