If you don't want Steam to install and update rFactor 2, you can use SteamCMD to do it manually. Further details on when and how to download updates can be configured in the Steam 'Settings' window under 'Downloads' and 'Cloud'. You can also choose if you want to enable Steam cloud synchronization, which ensures that any car setups you have are backed up (and replicated to other computers, should you have more than one with rFactor 2 installed). How this happens can be configured via the 'updates' tab in the properties, where you can select when automatic updates happen and if you allow background updates while rFactor 2 is running (we don't recommend that).

Using this method will also ensure the simulation is kept up to date automatically. Select rFactor 2 from your library and hit the install button. The easiest way to install the simulation is by using the Steam client.

The latter (also known as the 'lite' version) would only contain the simulation, without any content installed, and this is literally the version you also get when installing rFactor 2 on Steam for the first time. The 'full install' and the 'minimum install'. In the days before Steam, there were two different downloads for rFactor 2 you could choose from. How to download SteamCMD and further instructions on how to use it can be found on this page: INSTALLING AND MANAGING THE SIMULATION PREREQUISITESīefore you get started, at the very least you should install the Steam client (as you need it to run the simulation) as well as a tool called SteamCMD (needed if you want to manually download and update the simulation and/or content). Most people will enjoy not having to tinker with their installs, and if you're nodding 'me too' now, you can stop reading!įor those who are wondering how they can best control their rFactor 2 installs themselves, the rest of this article looks at all the different options. Once you install the software, everything will automatically be kept up to date and if you add new content from the workshop, or buy new content from the item store, that too will be automatically installed and updated.

Steam is a great tool for people who do not want to manage rFactor 2 themselves.

Download steam workshop items manually