The safest way to download the original Hollow Knight for a desktop computer is through Steam or GOG. Team Cherry also lists Humble Store as an official storefront, but you should verify its current listing before buying. Steam delivers the game through the Steam client; GOG offers both GOG Galaxy and a fully offline installer that does not require Galaxy.
Before downloading, make sure you are choosing the original 2017 game—not Hollow Knight: Silksong—and compare your computer with the storefront-specific requirements below. Avoid cracked executables, torrents, “free full version” pages, and repacked installers.
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Where to download Hollow Knight legally
| Storefront | Windows | macOS | Linux | Installation model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Yes | Yes | Yes; listed as SteamOS + Linux | Purchase and install through the Steam client |
| GOG | Yes | Yes; listed as Mac OS X | Yes | GOG Galaxy or a standalone offline installer |
| Humble Store | Officially listed by Team Cherry, but verify the live product page and current delivery details | Check the current listing before purchase | ||
Team Cherry’s official games listing identifies Steam, GOG, and Humble Store as official places to obtain Hollow Knight. Store prices, regional availability, sale status, and system requirements can change, so check the live storefront page immediately before purchasing.
Steam or GOG: which version should you choose?
Choose Steam if you want the conventional client-based installation
Steam is the straightforward option if you already use the platform. The Steam listing identifies Team Cherry as both developer and publisher and gives the original game’s release date as February 24, 2017. After purchase, the game appears in your Steam Library, where you can select Install.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
The Steam edition lists Steam achievements, trading cards, Steam Cloud, Remote Play features, and 63 achievements. It is described as a single-player, hand-drawn 2D action-adventure game with metroidvania-style exploration.
A United States storefront snapshot used for this guide displayed the base game at $14.99, but that is not a permanent price. Regional pricing and discounts may differ.
Choose GOG if you want an offline installer and no required launcher
GOG lists Hollow Knight as DRM-free and says it can be played without an internet connection. You can download a fully offline installer from your GOG account and install the game without GOG Galaxy.
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GOG Galaxy is optional. It can provide conveniences such as achievement synchronization and cloud saves, but it is not required for the offline-installer route. This makes GOG the better fit if you want to keep an installer locally or avoid depending on a storefront client for installation.
Do not combine Steam’s and GOG’s requirements into one universal list. The two storefronts currently display different legacy and current platform information, particularly for operating-system versions.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Hollow Knight system requirements
The following requirements are the storefront-listed specifications identified during research. They are not independent performance tests and do not guarantee compatibility with every laptop, graphics driver, Linux distribution, or macOS release.
Steam requirements
| Platform | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Windows |
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| macOS |
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| SteamOS/Linux |
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Steam’s Linux category is labeled SteamOS + Linux, and the listed Ubuntu versions should not be interpreted as a guarantee for every Linux distribution. If you use Fedora, Arch, Debian, a different Ubuntu release, or a custom compatibility setup, check the current Steam listing and your distribution’s support details before buying.
GOG requirements
GOG’s displayed requirements are older and differ from Steam’s current listing. The GOG page identifies the following specifications:
| Platform information shown by GOG | Listed requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating systems | Windows 7/8/10, Linux, and Mac OS X |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E5200 |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GeForce 9800GTX with 1 GB |
| Graphics API | DirectX 10 |
| Storage | 9 GB |
These are GOG’s displayed legacy requirements, not a replacement for checking current operating-system support. In particular, verify the live GOG information if you are using a recent macOS or Linux installation. The newer operating-system requirements shown by Steam may be more relevant to some current computers.
How to install Hollow Knight on Windows, macOS, or Linux
Steam installation
- Open the official Team Cherry games listing or a verified Steam listing for the original Hollow Knight.
- Confirm that the product is Hollow Knight, released in 2017—not Hollow Knight: Silksong.
- Buy the game through Steam and install the Steam client if it is not already installed.
- Sign in to the Steam account that owns the purchase.
- Open Library, select Hollow Knight, and choose Install.
- Select an installation location with at least 9 GB free, plus additional room for the Steam client, temporary files, updates, and normal operating-system overhead.
- Allow Steam to finish downloading and updating the game, then select Play.
The exact button wording or layout can vary slightly with Steam updates, but the normal delivery path is tied to the Steam client.
Rank #3
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
GOG installation with Galaxy
- Purchase Hollow Knight through the verified GOG listing.
- Install or open GOG Galaxy and sign in to the account that owns the game.
- Find Hollow Knight in your library.
- Choose the installation command and select a drive with enough free storage.
- Launch the game from Galaxy or its installed shortcut.
GOG installation with the offline installer
- Sign in to your GOG account in a web browser.
- Open your owned games and select Hollow Knight.
- Download the available offline installer files for your operating system.
- Run the installer on Windows or macOS, or follow the package’s Linux instructions where applicable.
- Keep the downloaded installer files somewhere safe if you want to reinstall without relying on Galaxy.
GOG specifically describes Galaxy as optional and provides a fully offline installation path. The exact file names and installer layout may change as GOG updates its delivery system.
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The base game includes free content expansions associated with Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, and Godmaster. These are additional in-game content releases, not separate purchases required to start playing the original game.
Steam separately lists the official soundtrack and Gods & Nightmares soundtrack as paid downloadable products. Soundtrack DLC is optional and is not required to install or play Hollow Knight.
Safety checklist before downloading
- Use an authorized storefront. Start from Team Cherry’s official games page or a verified Steam or GOG listing.
- Check the title carefully. The original game is Hollow Knight. Do not assume a page for Hollow Knight: Silksong is the same product.
- Confirm the platform. A console listing, physical edition, or soundtrack is not a Windows, macOS, or Linux download.
- Check free space. Plan for at least 9 GB for the game and leave extra room for the storefront client, downloads, updates, and temporary files.
- Check whether the OS is 64-bit. Steam’s current Windows and Linux listings specify 64-bit systems.
- Do not use cracked or repacked installers. “Free full version” sites, torrents, and unofficial executable downloads are not official distribution channels and create avoidable malware and account-security risks.
- Do not enter store credentials into a download site. Sign in only through the official storefront or its authenticated application.
This warning is general security guidance; it does not assert that a particular third-party site contains malware. The key point is that unofficial downloads have not been authorized as the game’s distribution method and are unnecessary when legitimate storefront versions are available.
Troubleshooting download and installation problems
The installer says there is not enough space
Free at least 9 GB on the target drive, then leave additional space for temporary download files, updates, and the storefront application. If the drive is nearly full, choose another installation library or move other files before restarting the installation.
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- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
The computer does not meet the listed operating-system requirement
Check the exact OS version and whether the system is 64-bit. Steam currently lists Windows 10 version 21H1/build 19043 or newer and 64-bit Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 for its corresponding platforms. GOG displays older Windows and Mac OS X requirements, so compare the current store page with your actual OS rather than assuming that one storefront’s listing applies to the other.
The game will not launch on Linux
Confirm that your distribution and version correspond to the storefront’s supported listing, then update the storefront client, operating system, graphics drivers, and relevant compatibility components. Steam’s listing specifically names Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 24.04 64-bit under SteamOS + Linux; it does not guarantee operation on every distribution or driver combination.
The game will not launch on macOS
Compare the Mac’s version with the current storefront requirements. Steam lists macOS Big Sur 11 or newer, Metal-capable graphics, and Apple M1 support in its recommended specifications. That listing is not an independent compatibility test for every Apple Silicon model, macOS release, or peripheral configuration.
Steam or Galaxy is stuck updating
Confirm that you are signed in to the purchasing account, that the client is fully updated, and that the computer has a stable internet connection. Restart the client and check available storage. If you bought the GOG version specifically for an offline installation, use the offline installer from your GOG account instead of relying on Galaxy.
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This guide covers the original Hollow Knight, the game released on February 24, 2017. Hollow Knight: Silksong is a separate title. Do not use information about Silksong’s platforms, release status, or storefront pages to determine how to download or run the original game.
Best Value
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
When searching a store, check the complete product name, developer/publisher information, screenshots, and release details. If you only want the original game, select the listing titled Hollow Knight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hollow Knight free to download on PC?
The official desktop versions are normally sold through authorized storefronts such as Steam and GOG. Avoid “free full version” downloads, cracks, torrents, and repacked installers; they are not official distribution channels.
Can I play Hollow Knight offline?
Yes. GOG states that its version is DRM-free and can be installed with a fully offline installer without GOG Galaxy. Steam normally uses the Steam client for delivery, and offline play depends on the client being configured appropriately.
Does Hollow Knight run on Linux?
Yes, both Steam and GOG list Linux support. Steam labels the platform “SteamOS + Linux” and currently lists 64-bit Ubuntu 22.04 or Ubuntu 24.04 requirements. That is not a guarantee for every Linux distribution or driver configuration.
Does Hollow Knight work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Steam’s recommended macOS requirements list an Apple M1, but storefront requirements are not independent testing. Check the current listing and your macOS version before purchase.
Do I need to buy the soundtrack to play Hollow Knight?
No. The official and additional soundtrack products are optional DLC. They are separate from the game installation.
Is this guide for Hollow Knight: Silksong?
No. It covers the original 2017 game, Hollow Knight. Hollow Knight: Silksong is a separate title and should not be confused with the original game’s desktop listings.
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For the simplest desktop installation, buy Hollow Knight through Steam and install it from your Library. Choose GOG if a DRM-free copy and fully offline installer matter more to you. Confirm the current requirements and at least 9 GB of free space, and download only from an authorized storefront.
Quick Recap
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