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For most desktop PCs and laptops, download Batocera’s x86_64 image, flash it to a USB drive, and boot the computer from that drive. A keyboard and mouse can navigate Batocera’s menus, but controls inside games vary by emulator. The steps below cover the USB test setup first, then the optional internal-drive installation.
What you need before installing Batocera
- A PC and a USB drive, SD card, hard drive, or SSD to hold Batocera. The official guide lists 16 GB as the minimum and recommends 32 GB for full functionality. A 32 GB or larger USB drive is a practical choice for the standard removable-drive setup; no particular brand or speed class is specified. Batocera Installation Guide.
- An image-flashing application. Batocera names Raspberry Pi Imager and USBImager in its installation instructions.
- A keyboard for setup and menu navigation. A mouse is useful for compatible games and applications, but is not required for every emulator.
For most contemporary PCs, choose the x86_64 image on Batocera’s official download page. That page covers desktop PCs, laptops, NUCs, and Intel-based Apple computers. Check it when downloading because the current release and available images can change.
Flash Batocera to a USB drive
- Download the image for your PC from Batocera’s download page.
- Open a flashing tool such as Raspberry Pi Imager or USBImager, select the Batocera image, then select the USB drive or other destination storage.
- Before confirming, verify the selected destination carefully. Flashing erases the data on that drive; choosing the wrong disk can destroy files or an operating system.
- Let the flash finish. If Windows or another desktop operating system then asks to format the drive, cancel the prompt. Formatting can wipe Batocera’s partitions.
On first boot, Batocera expands its SHARE/user-data partition into available space and restarts when the expansion is complete. Leave the computer running and do not interrupt this process.
Boot the PC from the Batocera drive
- Insert the prepared drive and restart the PC.
- Open the one-time boot menu, commonly by pressing a key such as F10, F11, or F12 as the computer starts. The correct key and menu label vary by manufacturer; consult the PC or motherboard manual if needed.
- Select the Batocera USB or other prepared drive. UEFI boot is preferred where available, though the installation guide says it is not essential.
If the computer starts its usual operating system instead, try the one-time boot menu again and select the removable drive. Check firmware settings for removable-media boot permission and boot order; some systems place UEFI drive priorities in a separate submenu.
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Secure Boot: disable it or enroll Batocera’s key
If a recent x86/x86_64 PC refuses to start Batocera or displays a Secure Boot verification screen, Secure Boot may be the issue. The installation guide describes disabling Secure Boot as one possible remedy. Batocera v39 and later also documents Secure Boot support on x86_64 through enrollment of Batocera’s certificate in the PC’s Machine Owner Keys. That enrollment route needs compatible 64-bit UEFI firmware and a keyboard to navigate the firmware screens. See the Batocera Secure Boot guide and follow the instructions appropriate to your version and firmware.
Before changing Secure Boot-related settings on a Windows PC protected by BitLocker, save the BitLocker recovery key. A firmware change can alter TPM measurements and cause Windows to request the key. The exact settings path is vendor-specific, so use the PC or motherboard manual.
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USB boot or internal-drive installation?
| Choice | What it means | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Boot from USB or other removable storage | Run Batocera from the prepared drive without installing it onto the PC’s internal disk. | It is the more reversible way to try Batocera. You must choose that drive at startup when you want to use it. |
| Install onto an internal drive | From Batocera, use Main Menu → System Settings → Install Batocera on a New Disk. | The operation overwrites all data on the destination, including an existing operating system. Some motherboards may not boot Batocera from the internal drive. |
If you choose the internal-drive route, identify the destination disk with care before proceeding. A mistaken selection can erase the drive you meant to keep.
Use a keyboard and mouse in Batocera
EmulationStation, Batocera’s front-end menu, has built-in keyboard navigation. These keys work in the menu:
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| Key | Action |
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| Enter | Confirm |
| Esc | Cancel |
| Space | Open the main menu |
| Backspace | Select |
| F1 | Open the built-in file manager from the main EmulationStation menu on x86/x86_64 |
These are menu controls, not a promise that every game uses a mouse in the same way. Batocera’s input mapping can be emulator-specific. For a mouse-dependent game, check that system’s control settings and any control menu provided by the emulator. Batocera documents per-emulator remapping in its per-emulator control guide. You do not need a special gaming keyboard or mouse; the documentation does not specify a dedicated general-purpose mouse setup wizard.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common first-start problems
The PC boots into its usual operating system
Use the one-time boot menu and select the Batocera drive. If it is missing, check that removable-media boot is enabled and review the firmware’s boot order. Keys and setting names differ between systems.
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A Secure Boot screen blocks startup
Use the Secure Boot instructions for your Batocera version and firmware, or disable Secure Boot if that is the route you choose and the firmware permits it. If Windows uses BitLocker, have the recovery key ready before changing settings.
The display is black
First check whether Batocera appears to have booted—for example, whether its splash screen appeared. A blank display after startup may be a display problem rather than a failure to boot. The installation guide covers installation troubleshooting.
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The keyboard or mouse works in menus but not as expected in a game
Check the controls configured for that system or emulator. Input behavior is not uniform across emulators; some have their own control menus. See Batocera’s per-emulator remapping guidance.
The flashed drive looks broken in another operating system
Flashing changes the drive’s partition layout, which can make it appear unfamiliar to desktop tools. Do not format it if prompted. Batocera’s installation guide links to instructions for recovering the drive for reuse.
What to do after Batocera starts
Installing Batocera does not add your game collection or any BIOS files a system may require. The official getting-started guide points to separate instructions for adding ROM and BIOS files, navigating EmulationStation, connecting to Wi-Fi, and updating Batocera. PC emulation performance also depends on the computer’s hardware, particularly its CPU and GPU; installation alone does not ensure every emulator will run well. See Batocera’s PC hardware guidance.
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