Guideline for Effortlessly Including Non-Steam Games in Steam

Guideline for Effortlessly Including Non-Steam Games in Steam

In the world of gaming, having all your games in one place is a dream come true. That's where Steam comes in, offering a solution for gamers who want to keep their collections organised. This article, co-authored by Hannah Dillon, a Technology Writer and Editor, will guide you through the process of adding non-Steam games to your Steam library, whether you're using a desktop or the Steam Deck.

On Desktop:

1. Open the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
2. At the bottom left of the Steam window, click the '+ Add a Game' button.
3. Select 'Add a Non-Steam Game...' from the popup menu.
4. In the new window, either check your game from the listed programs or click 'Browse...' to manually locate the game’s executable file (.exe).
5. Select the exe and click 'Add Selected Programs'.
6. The game will now appear in your Steam library, allowing you to launch it through Steam and enabling Steam features such as the overlay or controller support.

On Steam Deck:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode by holding the power button and selecting 'Switch to Desktop'.
2. If your game isn’t installed yet, install it or copy the game files into Steam Deck storage.
3. Open the Steam desktop client in Desktop Mode.
4. Go to 'Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library'.
5. Browse to your game’s executable (.exe for Windows games) and add it.
6. Right-click the added game, select 'Properties', then under the 'Compatibility' tab, enable 'Steam Play or Proton' to ensure Windows games run properly on Steam Deck’s Linux-based system.
7. Switch back to Game Mode; your added non-Steam game will now appear alongside your Steam games, ready to launch.

Additional Notes:

• On Steam Deck, you can also right-click any executable in Desktop Mode’s file explorer and select 'Add to Steam' for a shortcut.
• Once added to Steam, non-Steam games can utilize Steam features such as the overlay, gamepad support, and friends list visibility.
• The process is similar for other launchers (Epic Games, Ubisoft Connect, etc.), where the non-Steam game in Steam simply acts as a shortcut to launch the original launcher with the game.
• This method works for both Windows games and Linux-native or Proton-wrapped games on Steam Deck, streamlining non-Steam game integration into your Steam library for a unified gaming experience.

It's important to note that non-Steam games cannot be updated through Steam and cannot be used to verify that you own your Steam account. However, activating a non-Steam game on Steam is possible if the game is available on Steam and you have a Steam key for the game.

After adding a non-Steam game on the Steam Deck, the game will be placed under the "Non-Steam" tab in your Steam Deck's main game library.

In conclusion, adding non-Steam games to Steam is a straightforward process that offers numerous benefits, including organisation, easy access, and the ability to use Steam features. Whether you're a desktop user or a Steam Deck owner, this guide has got you covered. Happy gaming!

1. If you're intrigued by the world of technology and own various gadgets, this guide on how to add non-Steam games to your Steam library can be a useful addition to your tech knowledge.
2. To elevate your gaming experience, consider using Steam as your one-stop-shop for all your games, regardless of whether they're Steam originals or not; this guide provides detailed steps on how to do so for both desktop and Steam Deck users.

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