TL;DR
- CS:GO legacy version remains accessible through Steam’s beta program with 12.6GB download
- Valve officially supports the legacy version until end of 2023 with degrading functionality
- Only custom servers available – official matchmaking completely disabled
- Installation requires selecting ‘csgo_legacy’ in Counter-Strike 2 properties
- Backup your configurations as functionality may gradually decrease over time
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Current Status Update: Valve has officially integrated the CS:GO Legacy Version into CS2’s beta access options. This preservation move allows veteran players to continue enjoying the classic experience, though with significant limitations. You’ll find official competitive matchmaking completely unavailable, restricting gameplay to community-hosted custom servers only.
Support Timeline Details: The legacy build receives Valve’s technical support through December 2023, after which the company warns about “progressive functionality degradation” occurring over time. This gradual deterioration may affect server browser performance, workshop integration, and certain game modes.
Original Context: Following CS2’s September 27 release, the new title completely replaced CS:GO across Steam platforms and player libraries. Professional esports competitors initially continued tournament play on the previous version during transition periods. Our comprehensive guide provides everything needed to access and optimize your CS:GO legacy experience.
To install the CS:GO legacy version, navigate through Steam using this detailed procedure:
- Access your Steam Library interface and perform a right-click action on Counter-Strike 2
- Choose Properties from the context menu, then select the Betas management tab
- Within Beta Participation settings, expand the selection dropdown (typically set to ‘None’) and choose “csgo_legacy – Legacy Version of CS:GO” (this replaced the earlier “csgo_demo_viewer – 1.38.7.9” build)
- Finalize the process by closing the properties window.
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Steam immediately initiates the necessary file downloads totaling 12.6 GB. Following installation completion, CS:GO becomes launchable but operates exclusively on community-managed custom servers rather than Valve’s official infrastructure.
The legacy version provides limited but functional gameplay through community server networks. Unlike the comprehensive Complete Guide approaches for modern titles, CS:GO’s preserved build focuses entirely on custom game experiences.
Server Limitations: Valve’s competitive matchmaking servers remain completely inaccessible, meaning ranked play, official casual matches, and Wingman modes won’t function. Instead, players must seek out community-hosted servers running classic game modes, surf maps, and deathmatch configurations.
Community Alternatives: Numerous dedicated server communities continue maintaining CS:GO instances, offering diverse gameplay experiences from competitive 5v5 scrims to recreational minigame servers. These platforms often feature custom map rotations, modified game rules, and specialized gameplay modifications that distinguished the original CS:GO ecosystem.
Weapon and Skin Access: Your inventory and weapon skins transfer between versions, though certain Weapons Unlock mechanics differ significantly from modern title approaches.
This access method remained functional at original publication (September 28, 2023) but faces potential removal as Valve shifts resources toward CS2 development. Similar to strategic Class Guide planning for other franchises, preparing alternative options proves wise.
Long-term Viability: Valve explicitly notes that while the legacy version will technically operate beyond 2023, various functionalities may progressively deteriorate without official support updates.
Recommended Precautions: Regular players should backup configuration files, custom binds, and practice workshop maps locally. Community server operators increasingly archive complete game builds to ensure continued accessibility regardless of Valve’s future decisions.
Transition Strategy: As functionality gradually declines, consider documenting your preferred settings and exploring CS2’s evolving feature set, which introduces significant graphical enhancements and gameplay refinements.
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Action Checklist
- Launch Steam and navigate to your game library section
- Right-click Counter-Strike 2 and access Properties settings
- Select Betas tab and choose ‘csgo_legacy’ from dropdown
- Wait for 12.6GB download completion
- Launch CS:GO and connect to community custom servers
- Backup configuration files and custom settings locally
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » How to play CS:GO after CS2 release. Can I play CS:GO legacy version? Complete guide to accessing CS:GO legacy version with step-by-step installation and server options