Convert your Work PC to a Gaming PC?
Work computer systems are usually set with minimal specifications to run everyday applications, and with the majority of software operating over the cloud, the computing requirements for work computers are not evolving at the pace of the gaming industry.
How to Game on a Work PC?
It’s crucial that you lower your expectations a little bit before we begin. There isn’t a hack that will allow you to play high-end games without stuttering on a PC with inferior hardware, therefore performance will have to be sacrificed.
Work PC Restrictions
Before we begin, it is critical to read the following because most company-owned computers have a number of limitations; The sooner you can determine what they are, the easier it will be to find your solution in this article. These limitations vary, but they include:
1: Company Sets Limitations
Company set limitations, are when your company has specific policies and procedures to limit the use of company assets for company work. This is usually done by limiting administration access to the systems, limiting or blocking the installation of new software, or even disabling the protocols needed to run unauthorized applications and games.
2: OS limitations
The operating system limitations are similar to those of a Chromebook for businesses that use Google Business; these laptops come with pre-installed Chrome OS, which is limited to a stripped-down version of Android OS and the Chrome browser. These OS limitations can be put in parallel with company set limitations.
3: Hardware limitations
Hardware limitations are when your computer setup is equipped with the minimum requirements to operate the office suite or cloud based software, and the majority of the time these hardware specifications do not meet the minimum needed to run the most basic of games released in 2022.
If your computer has no limitations, that’s great, jump on stage 2 to get started.
Below, we’ll show you a few ways to get around these restrictions, and in the second step, we’ll talk about how you can play games on your work computer.
Bypassing Work PC Restrictions:
Stage 1: By Passing Work Computer Restrictions:
This step might be a bit technical, however, some methods might be easier than others, depending on your setup. If all else fails, check Step 2 and Method 3, It might be your last hope. To begin, following the below methods should be straight to the point and be applicable to the majority of computer setups. There is tons of information available online if none of these work perfectly, and below you can find some links relating to each step to help you go further.
Method 1: Virtual Machine (for non-Chrome users)
IVT, or Intel Virtualization Technology, is supported by the vast majority of computers and allows you to launch a new operating system within your existing operating system with full administrative control. You will have the ability to boot from a USB drive or an external hard disk to avoid raising any red flags with your IT department. Be mindful; virtualization technology does allow you to use your computer hardware to its fullest potential.
Check out the full tutorial on VM installation at:
Method 2: Dual Booting (External Drive)
Dual booting, is when you install two operating systems on a PC, This is usually applicable to all Windows computers. For a step-by-step guide to dual-booting your computer, refer to the very helpful tutorial video below. Because operating systems typically require a full partition to install, it may be more logical to install it on a USB 3.0 external hard drive (ideally, a gaming hard drive).
Chromebooks users:
Installing an operating system other than Chrome OS may be restricted for Chrome users; to check your hardware compatibility, see the table below that details each model.
https://coolstar.org/chromebook/windows.html
And for a detailed installation instructions, you can use this smart form based on your computer model.
https://coolstar.org/chromebook/windows-install.html.
Method 3: Dual booting (internal drive)
If you have a computer PC, these rigs usually can accommodate mutiple harddrives, what we
recommend is installing a new OS on an additional hard drive and plugging it into your motherboard, more information on how to do that, simply check out how to assemble a PC (hard disk).
After installing this hard drive, you have to check your computer’s boot prompt button upon starting, This will show you a black screen with two operating systems, choose the one you prefer and press enter. This step is usually the least intrusive to your company’s policies and restrictions.
Check out Best BIOS Settings for Gaming (How to Access the BIOS on Different Motherboards) for more information on your BIOS bootable options and how to access your BIOS.
Step 2: Playing new Games on Work Computers
With step 1 over with, now comes the “easier” part, this is where we optimize your setup to play new
The recommendations below are stackable and will undoubtedly provide an advantage given the limitations of your work PC.
Method 1: Gaming OS
This method is applicable for those going through Stage 1 to bypass company restrictions or those who have full administrative control of their PC.
There are some operating systems that are more suitable to gaming than others, our focus in this article is on getting the best performance possible within the limitations of our hardware.
Windows is usually the preferred go-to for gaming rigs, but there are some stripped-down versions of Windows that reduce the work load on your hardware to provide a better gaming experience. Check out the best OS for gaming, to learn more about gaming operating systems and how to install them.
Method 2: Software Optimizers
After going through Step 1 or if you have full administrative control of your PC, you can install certain software that optimizes new games to work on low-end hardware. There are several options for that, but the one we think has the best results is:
Low-Spec Experience
It is very easy-to-use software, that unlocks the minimum requirements of any game to match your computer hardware, It currently supports a number of games, and it is being updated frequently.
Pros: You can instantly improve your PC gaming performance with presets for optimization and access to a list of supported games that keeps growing.
Cons: The full premium version costs approximately $5 per year. It’s really not a con if it works for you.
Given that the free version is available, you get to try running new games on it; if it works for you and you choose to upgrade, you would know what you would be getting.
The Low Specs Experience can be downloaded from https://ragnos1997.com/low-specs-experience-download/
Method 3: Game Streaming Service
What is Game Streaming Service?
Remote hardware on the servers of the service can be accessed through game streaming. Instead of using your own hardware to execute the games you enjoy, you connect via a client to a powerful PC over the internet. All of your inputs are sent to the server, which translates them into commands for the game, and the client merely gives a live feed of the video and sounds coming from the server hardware. In essence, you are using a computer that is not in front of you while simultaneously viewing everything it shows.
- Nvidia GeForce Now https://www.nvidia.com/en-sa/geforce-now/
- Sony PlayStation Now
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Pros: Have the benefit of a gaming PC without having to buy one, support a great number of games
accessible through a number of platforms and devices (computers, laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, etc.).
Cons: It is usually charged on a monthly subscription basis, but some latency issues might arise depending on your ping and connectivity, and it might not be available in your country.
Final words, before you proceed with step one, it is always recommended that you check your company policy in regards to company assets. In addition, in step 2, certain methods, when combined, should provide the best gaming experience, such as methods 1 and 2 or methods 1 and 3.
Despite these potential issues, gaming PCs are still a viable option for gamers who want to improve their gaming experience, so if you are looking to invest in a budget gaming PC, we have compiled the best build you can buy for less than $1,000; check it here.