How to Run Grand Theft Auto IV in a Window

"Grand Theft Auto IV" is a graphically intense action game, and some PCs have trouble running it. By running the game in windowed mode, the player can reduce demands on the graphics card and CPU, helping the game run marginally faster. Although "Grand Theft Auto IV" does not include a windowed option in-game, players can force it by inserting a commandline.txt file into the game folder. Before booting, "Grand Theft Auto" will read the text file and follow the instructions within, including that you want it to start windowed.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Open "Notepad." You can access it by clicking on "Start," "Programs," "Accessories" and then "Notepad."

   • 2

     Type "-Windowed" into the text editor, omitting the quotation marks.

   • 3

     Click "File" and then "Save." Name the file "commandline.txt." Again, omit the quotation marks.

   • 4

     Navigate to your "Grand Theft Auto IV" directory. By default, it's located in "/Program Files/Rockstar Game/Grand Theft Auto IV."

   • 5

     Click the "Save" button to save the file "commandline.txt" in this location.

   • 6

     Start the game. It will be in windowed mode.