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Game Development

Godot 4 Export to Windows: Build and Package a Windows Build

Set up Godot export templates, create a Windows desktop preset, choose the packaging options you need, and export a playable Windows build.

GuideKit EditorialEditorial team
5 min read
Godot editor is open with an export dialog and a file save window centered on the screen, showing a Builds folder being created and the file name Tap Game.exe.
Godot shows an export save dialog with a Builds folder being created and the Windows executable name Tap Game.exe. — footage: Muddy Wolf

To export a Godot 4 game to Windows, install the export templates, add a Windows desktop export preset, configure the build and packaging settings (such as embedded PCK), and export the project to a chosen folder. Check your exported executable runs correctly outside the editor before shipping.

Install the export templates first

Before you can export your game, you need to install the export templates.

Godot Engine editor with the Project menu dropped down, showing an option to manage export templates, over the main workspace.

The Godot editor shows the Project menu open with Manage Export Templates available. — Muddy Wolf

  1. Open the editor menu and choose Manage Export Templates.
  2. In the Export Template Manager dialog, pick a download source. Selecting GitHub was found to be fast.
  3. Click Download and Install to install the templates.

Godot editor with the Export Template Manager dialog open and a Download and Install button on the right.

The Export Template Manager dialog is open with the Download and Install button visible. — Muddy Wolf

  1. When the installation finishes, confirm the template version and installation location are correct.
  2. If the manager reports issues, use the uninstall and reinstall options in the same window.

Create a Windows desktop export preset

Set up the Windows export preset to prepare to build your game for Windows.

Godot editor with the Export dialog open and the Windows Desktop preset highlighted in the presets list.

The Export dialog shows the Windows Desktop preset selected among the available export presets. — Muddy Wolf

  1. Open the project export settings window.
  2. Add a new preset, choosing Windows desktop as the export target.
  3. Do not select the Universal Windows option unless you are targeting a marketplace that needs it.
  4. Name your preset if you might need to distinguish release or debug builds.

Set the packaging and build settings

Adjust options to set how your game appears and functions on Windows.

Godot editor with the Export window open for a Windows Desktop preset, showing options such as Export Console Wrapper and Embed PCK in the settings panel.

The export preset window is open with build settings like Export Console Wrapper and Embed PCK visible. — Muddy Wolf

  1. Set Export console wrapper to No if you do not want your game to open a console window.
  2. Turn on Embed PCK file to combine all game data into a single executable, making it easier to distribute.
  3. Fill in the file version, product version, company name, and game name to set the appropriate metadata.
  4. Use the optional metadata fields (e.g., description, copyright, trademarks) as you need.
  5. Note the reminder about game icons: to change the Windows icon, you will need to set up the RC editor path in the editor settings as described in the warning.

Export the project to a build folder

Now generate your Windows build.

Godot editor with the Export dialog open and a save file picker in front, showing a Windows Desktop export preset and a destination path for Tap Game.exe.

The Export dialog is open with a Windows Desktop preset and a save file picker for the build location. — Muddy Wolf

  1. With your Windows export preset selected, click Export Project.
  2. Select or create a build folder as your export destination.
  3. Enter a name for the exported executable and click Save to start the export.
  4. Wait for the export process to finish and check the output folder for the new .exe file.

Run the Windows build and ship it

A Windows File Explorer window is open over the Godot editor, showing a project folder with a Builds folder and several project files.

A Windows file browser is open over the Godot editor, showing the project folder and build-related files. — Muddy Wolf

Open the exported executable from the build folder to confirm your game launches outside of the Godot editor.

Also worth knowing

  • Custom icon setup: Changing the Windows icon requires configuring the icon tool and RC editor path in the editor settings.

FAQ

how to export a Godot 4 game to Windows

Install the export templates using the export templates manager, add a Windows desktop export preset, and export your project to a folder. Use embedded PCK for a single executable if needed.

Godot 4 Windows build tutorial

Open the export templates manager in Godot, download and install templates, set up a Windows desktop export preset with your game details, then export and test your build.

Godot export preset setup

Open project export settings, create a Windows desktop preset, and fill in version, company, and game name fields. Adjust build and packaging options to suit your needs before exporting.

Godot packaging tutorial for beginners

Enable embedded PCK for a cleaner package with fewer files to distribute. Set your metadata and icon path if desired, then export the game to a build folder.

how to ship a Godot game on Windows

Export the executable, test it outside the Godot editor to confirm it runs, and distribute the exported folder or executable using your preferred delivery method.

Sources

  • Godot Engine - Blog – Godot Engine

Official reference: Godot documentation.

Related guides

Sources

Screenshots on this page are frames from the videos below, used to illustrate the steps they describe. All rights remain with their creators.

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