Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming

How to install the Old School RuneScape HD Client

By

It took a few decades, but Old School RuneScape is finally playable in HD. The update didn’t arrive without controversy, however, as Jagex had originally put a stop to the third-party client — before community backlash led to its full blessing from the developer.

Running Old School RuneScape isn’t as easy as logging in and toggling on a High Definition option. Instead, you’ll need to download a third-party client known as RuneLite, then download and install the custom HD add-on. If you’re hoping to experience Gielinor in all its glory, here’s how to use the popular new OSRS HD Client. With the latest update to Old School RuneScape, now is a great time to get back into it.

Further reading

Recommended Videos

Download RuneLite and create an account

Navigating RuneLite's website to begin download.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Before you can do anything else, you’ll need to download RuneLite and create a free account. This is a third-party client that allows you to run Old School RuneScape with a variety of plugins and add-ons enabled. Here’s how to safely download and install RuneLite:

  • Head over to the official RuneLite website.
  • Click the orange Download button in the middle of the screen.
  • Create an account using the Login button at the top right of the screen.

Once RuneLite has been installed, you can log in to the game servers using your normal OSRS account and password. Your RuneLite account, meanwhile, will allow you to easily keep track of add-ons and a variety of other content.

Related

Download and enable 117 HD add-on

OSRS running in RuneLite.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With those two tasks out of the way, you’re almost ready to start playing Old School RuneScape in HD. The only thing left to do is download and enable the OSRS HD Client. Thankfully, RuneLite makes this an incredibly easy process — that is, as long as you know where to look.

  • Open RuneLite.
  • Locate and click on the Configuration icon at the top right of the screen.
  • Select Plugin Hub from the very bottom of the list. This will open up a menu that lets you search for plugins on the RuneLite marketplace.
  • Use the search bar to find “117 HD.” This is the semi-official HD update that allows you to play the game with completely reworked graphics.
  • Click the green Install button to add it to your list of plugins.
  • Navigate back to your main Configuration screen.
  • Ensure the 117 HD plugin is enabled.

With 117 HD enabled, you’ll be treated to an entirely new OSRS experience. Keep in mind that the content is still in development, so it’s possible you’ll run into a variety of bugs or graphical hiccups as you play. You can also customize the game’s appearance by clicking on the Settings icon next to the plugin — this will allow you to optimize its performance for your system or ramp up the graphics as high as they can go.

Remember — this add-on can only be used with RuneLite and is not supported by the official Old School RuneScape client run by Jagex. RuneLite has access to the exact same servers as the Jagex client, so there’s practically no reason to avoid using the customizable — and HD-ready — client provided by RuneLite.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Dell slashed the price of the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop with RTX 4080 by $420
The Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop with Baldur's Gate 3 on the screen.

You should be on the lookout for gaming laptop deals if you're thinking about making an upgrade -- these devices are pretty expensive, so any discount will help cushion the blow on your wallet. Here's an offer from Dell to consider: a $420 discount for the powerful Alienware m18 R2 with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card, which reduces its price to $2,380 from $2,800. You can either pocket the savings or use them to buy more video games and accessories, but you need to act fast because there's a chance that the gaming laptop's price will be back to normal as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop
The Alienware m18 R2 makes a run at the best gaming laptops with top-of-the-line specifications and a striking design. In addition to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card, which our gaming laptop buying guide says is among the top-tier GPUs, the machine is equipped with the 14th-generation Intel Core i9 processor and 32GB of RAM that's the sweet spot for high-end gamers, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. You'll be able to play the best PC games at their most demanding settings on the Alienware m18 R2, and you'll even be prepared for the upcoming PC games of the next few years.

Read more
3 PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (February 14-16)
Players charge at each other in Chivalry 2's Arena mode.

PlayStation surprised us earlier this week and a new State of Play showcase that highlighted a ton of upcoming PS5 games to look forward to, such as Metal Gear Solid: Delta and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. However, we have a long time to wait for most of those games, and even longer if you want to snag them on PlayStation Plus. This month has no shortage of new games coming out to play, but if you don't have the time or money to get them all, PlayStation Plus has you covered. We picked out some gems from the catalog that might have gone under your radar at the time. Whether you want a deep RPG, fantastic party game, or hardcore multiplayer title, these are the games you should play this weekend.
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds - Come to Halcyon Trailer | PS4

There's a good chance that Avowed will eventually make its way to PS5, but right now, there's no official word on that. What has been on PlayStation Plus for a while is the last major RPG from Obsidian, The Outer Worlds. Often compared to a Fallout in space, this is a more contained RPG experience where you explore several hub locations rather than a single open world. The entire game is a parody on corporations, capitalism, and class that hits way more than it misses. You are given a ton of different build options, and the companions are some of the best we've had the pleasure to meet. This isn't a huge game, but we do need to give you fair warning that it is leaving the service this month so you will need to commit to it if you want to finish it all. Even if you don't, it is worth a purchase to be ready for The Outer Worlds 2.

Read more
How to rebind skills in Avowed
A spellcaster holds a book in Avowed.

Making proper use of all your best abilities in Avowed is the easiest of the tips and tricks you can take into the game. When you begin, you will have your healing and mana potions set on your quick select bar, followed by the first skill you unlock and first companion ability. That's great in the early game, but it isn't long before you unlock new skills that you want on that slot more than what is put there for you. You can always access all your abilities through the tactical menu, but that is a bit cumbersome. Instead, here's how you can remap your quick skills to whatever you want.

Read more