How to Add Non-Steam Games to Steam
Steam is not just a platform for purchasing games; it also allows you to organize and launch your entire gaming library from one place. One of the great features of Steam is the ability to add non-Steam games to your library. This means you can conveniently launch all your games, regardless of the platform, from the Steam interface. In this article, we will explore how to add non-Steam games to Steam in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Open Steam
The first thing you need to do is open the Steam application on your computer. If you don’t have Steam installed, you can download it from the official Steam website. Once you’ve installed and opened Steam, you will see the library section where all your purchased games are listed.
Step 2: Go to ‘Games’ Menu
Next, locate the top menu bar and click on the “Games” option. A drop-down menu will appear, displaying several options. Among these options, you will find “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.” Click on this option to proceed.
Step 3: Select Non-Steam Games
A new window will pop up, showing a list of programs and games that are installed on your computer. This list will include not only games installed through other platforms like Origin or Uplay but also any standalone executables on your system. Scroll through the list to find the non-Steam game that you wish to add. If you can’t find it in the list, you can click on the “Browse” button to manually locate the game’s executable file.
Step 4: Add the Game
Once you have found your desired non-Steam game, click the checkbox next to it to select it. After selecting it, simply click on the “Add Selected Programs” button at the bottom right of the window. This action will add the non-Steam game to your Steam library.
Step 5: Customize Your Game’s Settings
Now that you’ve successfully added the game, you may want to customize a few settings to enhance your experience. Locate the newly added game in your Steam library, right-click on it, and select “Properties.” Here, you can change the name of the game, set launch options, and even customize the Steam Overlay settings.
Bonus: Adding Game Shortcuts
If you frequently play a specific non-Steam game, you might want to create a shortcut for it. Right-click on the game in your Steam library, select “Manage,” and then choose “Add to Favorites.” This will pin the game to your favorites for quicker access. Moreover, you can create a desktop shortcut by right-clicking the game and selecting “Manage” followed by “Create Desktop Shortcut.”
Step 6: Launching the Game
Once everything is set up, you can launch your non-Steam game directly from the Steam library. Simply select the game and click on the “Play” button, just as you would with any other Steam game. The Steam overlay will also be available while playing, allowing you to interact with friends, take screenshots, and enjoy other Steam features.
Why Add Non-Steam Games to Steam?
Adding non-Steam games to your Steam library comes with several advantages. Firstly, it centralizes all your games in one location, making it easier to manage and access them. You can also take advantage of the Steam community features, such as friends lists and groups, even while playing games not purchased through Steam. Additionally, the Steam overlay allows for easy screenshot capturing and quick access to web browsing while gaming.
In summary, incorporating non-Steam games into your Steam library enhances your gaming experience by providing a convenient and unified interface. Following the aforementioned steps makes the process simple, allowing you to enjoy all your games from a single platform. So go ahead and expand your gaming library by incorporating all your favorite non-Steam titles into Steam, and experience the benefits of having everything neatly organized!
