Install Switch Games Directly from PC via USB (Goldleaf + Quark)
This guide will show you how to install .nsp game files to your Nintendo Switch directly from your PC using Goldleaf by XorTroll. Installing games via SD can be time consuming due to transfer and installation times in addition to rebooting into CFW after removing the SD card. The current fastest way to install games is via USB connection to your PC, this means games will not require twice their size of free space when installing games to SD.
Required Downloads:
Nintendo Switch with Custom Firmware
- The Goldleaf homebrew application requires a hacked switch with CFW such as Atmosphere
- You cannot run homebrew applications with unhacked or stock Switch consoles
- This guide assumes you have all the basic requirements to enter RCM and boot into CFW
MicroSD Card (128GB or Larger Recommended)
- Games can be installed to the Switch’s internal storage or to the MicroSD
- 128GB or more is recommended for storing games
Installing Goldleaf + USB Driver + Java 9
- Go to the
/switch/folder on your SD card - Create a folder called
Goldleafinside the/switch/folder
- Copy
Goldleaf.nroto the/Goldleaf/folder on your SD card
- Insert your SD card into your Switch and push your preferred payload to boot into CFW
- From the Switch Home screen, launch the Album to access the Homebrew Menu
Some CFW setups may require you to hold [R] or [L] to open the Homebrew Menu from the Album - Launch Goldleaf
- Connect your Switch to your PC using a USB cable
- On your PC, launch zadig and select [No] for checking updates online
- Select [libusbK] as the Driver to be installed
[Goldleaf] should be listed as the Device, if not then select [Options] -> [List All Devices] then choose it from the list ensure Goldleaf is open and running on your Switch console with the USB connected.
- Select [Install Driver] then close zadig once the installation is complete
- Visit the AdoptOpenJDK website to install Java 9
- Select [OpenJDK 11 (LTS)] and click the blue [Latest release] button to begin the download
- Install the OpenJDK
.msifile and click [Finish] once complete
Congratulations on finishing the preparations connecting Goldleaf to your Switch via USB. You can now move onto launching Quark and installing games over USB.
Installing Games via USB with Quark
- Launch
Quark.jar
- Select [Add New Path] and browse for the location of your Switch game (
.nsp) files
- On your Switch, select [Explore Content] in the Goldleaf menu
- Select [Remote PC (via USB)]
- Browse the folder location on your PC for the
.nspgame file you wish to install
You can also choose [Select file from PC], this will open a explorer window on your PC in Quark to browse for the game file to push and install directly to your Switch
- Once your game is installed, you may launch it from the Switch Home menu
Congratulations, you can now install games from your PC via USB with Goldleaf and Quark. This is the fastest way to install .nsp files and does not require removing your SD or powering off your console.