War Thunder on Windows: Download Guide, Tips and Features

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Ready to dominate the skies in 2025? Imagine piloting a beastly F/A-18 Hornet or commanding tanks and ships in epic battles.

War Thunder is free-to-play and you can download it on Steam for Windows 10 and 11, and the brand-new Hornet’s Sting update just landed on March 18, 2025, packing over 30 new vehicles and more.

Launched by Gaijin Entertainment on August 15, 2013, it’s holding a ‘Mostly Positive’ Steam rating as of March 2025, with Hornet’s Sting adding the F/A-18, Su-30SM, and slick graphical upgrades, per Steam. Mobile’s still in the wings, but PC’s where the action’s at.

This guide covers installing War Thunder on Windows, its key features, and tips for PC beginners. Share your fave vehicle in the comments, or contact us for help.

Table of Contents

How to Install War Thunder on Windows 11 and 10

To play War Thunder on your Windows PC, download it via Steam. Follow the steps below:

Method 1: Steam
1. Visit the Steam page: Steam.
2. Click Play Game.
3. Sign into your Steam account (or create one).
4. Click Install in your Steam Library.
5. Wait for the download to finish (~40 GB with updates).
6. Launch it from your Steam Library or desktop shortcut.

Quick Tip: 💡 Start with Arcade mode and the F/A-18; it’s fun for beginners, trust me.

Get via Steam | Get via Epic Games Store

What is War Thunder About?

War Thunder, launched in 2013 by Gaijin Entertainment, is a free-to-play military MMO for Windows 10 and 11, spanning air, land, and sea combat from the early 20th century to modern day.

Core Gameplay: Pick your poison, planes, tanks, or ships, and dive into massive battles across three modes: Arcade, Realistic, and Simulator. With Hornet’s Sting, you’ve got over 2,500 vehicles to master.