Tip of the Week: Run Alternate Executables in Game Mode

This Week’s Pro Tip: Some games bundle multiple executables like expansion packs, config tools, or alternate launchers. Here’s how to run any of them without switching to Desktop Mode.

The Problem

We sometimes get asked how to launch a specific executable for games that ship with multiple, like expansion packs or config tools. Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Saga on GOG is a good example. It includes both the base game (Battlegrounds.exe) and the Clone Campaigns expansion (CloneCampaigns.exe). By default, Junk Store launches the main exe, but what if you want to play the expansion?

You can easily select a game executable in Game Mode via Junk Store. No need to switch to desktop mode, hunt through folders, or dig through game files to find them.

How to Run an Alternate Executable

1. Open the game page for your installed game
2. Click on the Sliders Menu

3. Select Run exe in Game folder

4. Choose the executable you want to run from the list.
   • Push A if you only want to launch it once via that executable.
   • Push X to Save and use that executable for every launch.

That’s it! Here’s what it looks like in action:

Select CloneCampaigns.exe...

...launches the Clone Campaigns expansion

Select Battlegrounds.exe...

...launches the base game

Other Uses

This isn’t just for expansion packs. Here are some other use cases:

• Installing dependencies like Visual C++ Redistributables (vcredist_x64.exe, vc_redist.x64.exe) or DirectX (DXSETUP.exe) that some older games require
• Bypassing a game launcher to run the game directly (see example below)
• Trying an alternate exe if the default one doesn’t work for your game

Example: Zenless Zone Zero

Games like Zenless Zone Zero use their own launcher (HoYoPlay). If you want to skip the launcher and run the game directly, use Run exe in Game folder and select the actual game executable.

Select the game exe (not the launcher files)

...launches directly into the game

In this case, you’d select ./games/ZenlessZoneZero Game/ZenlessZoneZero.exe instead of HYP.exe (the launcher) to run the game directly.

Tip: Remember you can either use the executable once (Push A to launch once) or you can set it to use an executable for every launch (Push X to save).

Note: Want to go back to the original exe? Use Reset Launch Options from the same menu. Keep in mind this will also reset your compatibility tool to the system default if you changed it.

Happy gaming!

Cheers,
The Junk Store Team

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