Follow these exact steps to extract and play the game successfully without corrupting the files.

This is often the hardest part. The unmodified gta_sa.exe may not run properly on Windows 10 or 11.

When downloading highly compressed files from third-party websites, always prioritize cybersecurity. Ensure your active antivirus or Windows Defender program scans the archive file before extraction to guarantee the download is free of malware, adware, or trojan scripts.

Obtain the 700MB RAR or 7Z archive from a trusted source.

Completely stripping out or heavily compressing the in-game cinematic videos.

The original GTA: San Andreas requires about of free space on your hard drive for a full installation. The "highly compressed" version squeezes this massive file into a package that is often a mere 700 MB in size—small enough to fit on a single CD-R.

4.7GB of free hard disk space (for a full installation with mods) Step-by-Step Installation Guide