The Ultimate Guide to CS2 Configs: Unlocking Pro-Level Gameplay

What are CS2 configs also known as CS2 CFG?

Counter Strike 2, often abbreviated as CS2, is about to be a significant game in the e-sports world. Just as with any other game at this level, to be the best, you must understand and harness every little detail – right down to the game’s configurations. Just like its predecessors, CS2 has a fair few elements you can adjust to optimize your game and it all works pretty much in the same way. In this guide, we dive into the CS2 config world, revealing why they’re crucial and how you can optimize them for your playstyle. In the simplest of terms, CS2 configs, or CS2 cfg, refer to configuration files used by the game. These files dictate various settings that impact gameplay and the game’s visual and auditory experience. From sensitivity settings, and graphic details, to key binds, the CS2 config handles it all. Config files aren’t unique to Counter Strike 2. Many PC games have them, but they take on added significance in competitive settings. And because of how fierce the online landscape of the game can be, it’s more crucial than ever to get your settings file right. Why is it essential to adjust CS2 Configs? If you’re playing the game to have a bit of fun, then adjusting your configs is probably more hassle than it’s worth once you’ve settled on a few basics. But, you’re likely not here because you want to just do some pew-pew and have a laugh. As a competitive player, there are a number of reasons why setting up your CS2 cfg is vitally important:

  1. Optimal Gameplay Performance: Every gamer’s nightmare is lag or stutters during critical gameplay moments. They can mess up important shots and maneuvers which will overall make you feel that the whole game is working against you. Adjusting your CS2 cfg can ensure that the game runs smoothly, matching the capabilities of your hardware.
  2. Personalized Controls and Keybinds: Not every player uses the same controls. Adjusting your CS2 config ensures that every keybind and mouse setting is tuned to your unique playing style, ensuring faster reactions and more intuitive gameplay. Of course, you may not even be aware that some of your binds are less optimal so getting some inspiration from pro players’ configs is a good approach to take.
  3. Visual and Audio Advantage: Tweaking audio and visual settings can provide a competitive edge in more ways than you think. By adjusting the CS2 config in a way that optimizes these areas, you can spot enemies more easily or hear footsteps more clearly, giving you a split-second advantage. This, of course, will greatly depend on your computer’s setup, including the kind of monitor and headphones you use.
  4. Consistent Gaming Experience: Your configs are in many ways like your profile in CS2. They reflect what makes you a player from all aspects. Especially for pro players, having a consistent play experience regardless of where they play – be it at home or in a tournament – is crucial. By having a custom CS2 cfg, they can ensure that wherever they game, the settings remain the same. And this logic does (and should) apply to you if you want to hit the big time in CS2.

So, you know what configs are and what adjusting them can do for you as a competitive esports CS2 player. So where exactly is this file and how can you access it? Read on.

Where to find the CS2 config file

Your CFG file is just like any other file on your computer. You just need to know where to go digging to find it. To find the CS2 config location, navigate to the game files. Since you’re likely installing the game from Steam, if you haven’t changed the typical install location, you can use the following file path:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\(NUMBERS VARY ACCORDING TO USER)\730\local\cfg

There may be some differences depending on which hard drive and folders you’ve installed Steam in but the principle is the same. You can also do a global search using File Explorer but overall it’s not a secret or hidden file so take some time to look into where it is on your machine.

How to transfer CS:GO config to CS2

Valve has done a fairly cool piece of quality of life here for us Counter-Strike aficionados. They’ve made it so that CS:GO config files for the most part still work in CS2. That means you don’t have to spend a long time setting up the new game with your familiar settings.
In other words, you can seamlessly transition from one game to the other like nothing much has ever changed. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Navigate to “This PC.”
Open “Local Disk.”
Access the “Program Files (x86)” folder.
Locate and open “Steam.”
Navigate to the “userdata” folder.
Choose the folder with the most significant file size.
Access folder “730” and then “local.”
Click on the “cfg” folder and open the “config” text file.
Copy all settings from this file.
Go back to the “Steam” folder within “Program Files (x86).”
Click on “steamapps” followed by “common.”
Access the “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” folder.
Find the “game” folder and access “csgo” (the CS2 folder).
Navigate to the “cfg” folder, create a new Text Document, and paste your copied CS:GO config.
Remove “unbindall” from the top of the pasted text.
Adjust key bindings: change “d” “+moveright” to “d” “+right” and “a” “+moveleft” to “a” “+left.” Also, switch “SHIFT” “+speed” to “SHIFT” “+sprint.”
Press “CTRL + F” to open the search feature and type “noclipspeed.”
Change sv_noclipspeed’s value from “5” to “1000“.
Click on “File” and then “Save As.” Change “Save as Type” to “All Files,” rename the file to “autoexec.cfg,” and save.
Delete the “New Text Document” you initially created.
Launch CS2, and you’re good to go!

A couple of things to note here:

As we specified in the section about locating your cfg file, keep in mind that your file path may be different.
Some settings may not exist or have a different code base so it’s possible that not everything in your CS:GO cfg will work. Experiment as you go.

Can I use another player’s CS2 config?

Yes, absolutely! Using a pro player’s or a friend’s config can be an excellent way to optimize your gameplay or try out different settings. In fact, it’s highly encouraged by the competitive scene that you give some high-performing esports players’ configs a whirl, especially when you are plateauing and need to shake things up. However, remember that each player has unique preferences, and what works best for one person might not necessarily be ideal for you. It’s always recommended to use someone else’s config as a starting point and then tweak it based on your personal preferences. The hallmark of any competitor worth their salt is to permit themselves to try new things so don’t abandon a set of configs just because they didn’t net you wins online on the first day.